Migraine treatmentsmay include methods of preventing attacks as well as remedies to ease symptoms.
Research has shown that taking actions such as exercising or changing your diet can reduce the frequency of headaches.
Acupuncture and other holistic approaches have also shown benefits.
Verywell / Michela Buttignol
Discuss each of these remedies with your provider to be sure they support your overall health.
Studies suggest these cooling caps can offer some relief for migraine sufferers.
Researchers analyzed a variety of cold therapies such as cold-gel headbands, cold-gel caps, and cold wraps.
They found that the various methods instantly reduced migraine pain.
Three of those common problem foods (chocolate, cola, and coffee) contain caffeine.
Another theory relates to recent research that has found a link between regular coffee drinking and intestinal microbiota.
Rehydration
The connection between lack of fluids ordehydration and headachesis not clearly understood.
However, it does seem to trigger some types of headaches.
In these instances, rehydration may decrease the intensity and duration of a migraine.
Fatty Fish
Getting more healthy fats from fish like salmon could help prevent migraines.
The fish-rich diet may also reduce the severity and frequency of these headaches.
More research is needed to determine the ideal dose of omega-3s to deliver this benefit.
Taking high dosages of these vitamins has been shown to ease pain from various disorders.
This occurs even in cases where the person does not have a clear vitamin deficiency.
It’s used to treat wounds, coughs, and asthma.
Extracts made from butterbur have been shown to prevent migraines.
Some compounds of butterbur extract containpyrrolizidine alkaloids.
Weight Loss
There’s some evidence that carrying extra weight may increase the risk of getting migraines.
Researchers have found that patients with obesity who lose weight have significantly fewer migraines.
And when migraines occur after weight loss, the attacks are often less severe and shorter.
One study found that applying peppermint oil to the nose resulted in a 40% reduction in headache intensity.
It’s believed that magnesium helps block signals in the brain that lead to migraines.
Magnesium seems to be most effective in people who have or have hadaura with their migraine.
Findings related to ginger and migraines include the following.
More research is needed to confirm these results and determine the appropriate dose.
Acupuncture
Multiple studies have shown thatacupuncturecan help prevent migraines.
It concluded that acupuncture was “superior” in its effectiveness.
However, more research is needed to confirm the results.
What Pressure Point Relates to Migraines?
Sleep
Migraines and sleep issuesare closely intertwined.
Research has shown that people with migraines do not sleep well compared to other people.
Does Cannabis Help With Migraines?
Research on cannabis is limited, but some resaerch shows cannabis could be a promising alternative treatment for migraines.
Learning to progressively relax muscles and ease stress can make migraines less severe and less frequent.
In fact, biofeedback techniques can reduce migraines by 55%.
Among the types of biofeedback that have been shown to be effective for migraines is temperature feedback.
For this, you may wear sensors that can detect drops in body temperatures, which can trigger migraines.
Many of these options have little to no side effects and are generally considered safe.
However, you should always talk with your healthcare provider before trying a new treatment approach.
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