As any migraine sufferer very painfully knows, a migraine can take you down for an entire day or more with head pain and nausea. Not to mention sensitivity to sounds, lights, and smells. No one has time for that. While there is no instant cure for a migraine, here are a few natural and scientifically studied ways to lessen the pain.
Lavender or peppermint oil
Lavender oil is commonly used as an aid for relaxation and sleep, but did you know it can be effective for pain relief? In one study of people with migraines, 70% of the participants said that inhaling lavender oil reduced their migraine pain within 2 hours.
Another study showed that people who had lavender therapy for three months noticed they got fewer migraines.
Peppermint oil is another option. Research has shown that the menthol in peppermint oil can help relieve migraine pain, especially the related nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.
Put a few drops of one of the oils into a pot of boiling water and inhale the vapors, or massage a drop or two right on your temples.
Acupressure
Acupressure involves a person applying pressure to specific points on your body to help relieve pain. This practice has been used for thousands of years in Asian cultures, and scientific research is now catching up with how effective it is for pain relief.
Studies from all over the world have shown that acupressure is an effective treatment for migraines. One particular study found that people who received acupressure felt significantly less migraine-induced nausea.
The best way to benefit from this drug-free treatment is to visit a practitioner who specializes in acupressure and has experience treating migraines. However, there are some techniques you could try at home.
Try applying gentle, sustained pressure between your eyebrows just above your nose. Another exercise is to pinch your palms at the spot between your thumb and first finger.
Magnesium
A deficiency of magnesium in the body has been linked to headaches and migraines. Conversely, researchers have seen that increasing magnesium can relieve that awful pain, especially migraines associated with menstrual cycles.
The best way to get enough magnesium is through your diet. Dark leafy greens such as spinach and chard have a lot of magnesium, as do nuts and avocados. Dessert might even help. Dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa solids is a sweet source of magnesium—one square will give you 64 mg. That’s a pretty pleasant way to help handle a migraine.
You can also try a magnesium supplement, but the one you choose makes a big difference. Make sure you find magnesium oxide. Magnesium citrate is used to treat constipation. If you get them mixed up, you’ll have a problem at both ends.
Prevention
The best way to fight a migraine is to prevent one. Here are a few suggestions:
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Keep a food diary to catch if you have any food triggers. Common triggers include alcohol (especially red wine), some cheeses, and foods with the flavor enhancer MSG.
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Lower your stress. That may seem impossible during a pandemic, but deep breathing, slow stretching, or meditating for 10 minutes can take your stress level right down.
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Notice if weather or hormonal changes cause migraines for you. If you find they do, you can plan ahead and start treatment earlier to avoid the worst symptoms.
Hopefully, with these ideas you’ll nip that migraine in the bud and move on to the activities you really want to do each day.
Let’s get healthier, together,
Your friends at Santo Remedio
