Home Remedies and Drug Alternatives

In the course of finding a way to treat your migraines, you've no doubt come across many home-brewed remedies to treat the headache pain, nausea, or other symptoms. While some of these methods work for some of the people some of the time, nothing is foolproof. Then again, neither are any of the drug-related treatments or none of us would have a problem. Drug dependency is never a pleasant thing, and therefore, giving some of these home remedies may be worth a try. Keep in mind, though, that even herbal remedies, when taken inappropriately, can be dangerous. Consult an expert before trying any herbal or homeopathic remedies.

Use Heat and/or Ice

One of the most common home remedies is the use of an ice pack or heating pad to relieve headache pain and neck muscle tension. You may need to do a little experimenting to figure out which temperature extreme works for you, however. Some people find that alternating between ice and heat or using an ice pack on one side of their head and a heating pad on the other works best. Basically, heat tends to be soothing to the neck muscles and works best when used at the back of the neck, while ice tends to relieve swelling from blood vessles and works best when placed at the top of the head. Therefore, the combination may be just the trick. Taking a hot and/or cold shower also works for some people.

 

Apply Pressure to the Temples

Applying pressure to your temples with your fingertips or a firm object may help to releive the pain of a headache some. This is, of course, usually temporary, but it can make some of those really bad times a little more bearable. Wearing a snug elastic headband may also do the trick.

 

Have Sex

Hey, it might not work, but I could think of worse things to try! In a study done at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, sex reduced migraines in about half of the women tested. The tension release may help relieve the headache. Of course, sometimes this kind of activity can make your headache worse, so it's not a sure thing (darn) ;-)

 

Get a Massage

Massaging your neck and head may ease muscle tension and relax you. This type of relief is usually short-lived, but if you are prone to getting stiff neck and upper back muscles from your migraines, it can help to relieve some of the stiffness if massage and stretching are a part of your daily life. Head rolls, rolling and shrugging your shoulders and gentle neck stretches may be beneficial. Massaging your earlobe might also help relieve headache pain. (This is related to accupressure.)

 

Chiropractic Care

Some migraine sufferers have found relief by visiting a chiropractor. Like anything, it doesn't work for everyone, but for those who have found relief, they generally report it can be more beneficial than taking medictaions, which only cover up the symptoms of the migraine. If you're looking for a non-drug alternative, you may consider giving chiropractic care a try.

 

Rub on Some Ointments

A mixture of 10% peppermint oil and 90% ethanol sponged gently onto the scalp has been found to give some migraine sufferers relief. Similarly, menthol applied to the skin has a mild anesthasic effect. Tiger Balm, a menthol-based ointment, has relieved headache pain for some migraine sufferers. A mixture of peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, menthol and ethanol rubbed on tight neck and shoulder muscles can also help relax the muscles and release tension.

 

Get Your Blood Flowing

Improving circulation may help you relieve a migraine. Exercise, soaking your feet or hands in warm water, or a nice hot shower helps relieve migraines in some people. A good number of migraine suffers report having cold hands and feet during an attack. Getting the blood flowing to the extremities and keeping warm can help lessen, or possibly even abort, a migraine. Gee, come to think of it, maybe that's why the sex thing works for some people... :-)

 

Sit Up Straight

Good posture is extremely important to general health, as well as migraine management. Try not to slouch, and keep your computer screen so that your neck is not bent or extended, and take frequent breaks to stretch those muscles! Getting into a workable exercise routine including light weights can also help improve posture.

 

Eat and Breathe Relief

The following are assorted snippets of wisdom accumulated from a variety of sources:

• Take a tablespoon of honey at the onset of an attack and prevent attacks by taking two tablespoons of honey with meals
• Put salt on your tongue and wash it down with water
• Eat garlic buds in a salad
• Boil vinegar and water and inhale the fumes
• Throw a handful of wintergeen or peppermint into a pot of boiling water and inhale the fumes

 

Cook Up Some Herbs

There are a variety of herbs used to treat different types of migraines. Some of these include:

• Feverfew leaves
• Garlic and ginger pills
• Belladonna 9C (the concentration)
• Natrum muriaticum or Pulsatilla (for migraines associated w/periods)
• Tuberculinum (chronic tension headache)\
• Cannibis
• Herbal teas made from combinations of angelica, balm, chamomile, feverfew, hops, lavender, marjorum, catnip, woodruff, ginger, parsley, peppermint or spearmint, passion flowers, rosemary, sage, sarasparilla, vervain, yerba santa, thyme, melissa and basil.

Consult with an expert before using any of these herbal remedies to find out the best method of application and important safety information.