natural remedies for migraines?

MeggyJ · July 2011

Not for me. My mom. When I was in high school she used to get migraines really bad, like every two weeks. She cut out artificial sweeteners and started going to a chiropractor. They went completely away for the most part. But they are coming back now.

She's not going to the chiro any more, but still doesn't do artificial sweeteners. I'm going to doing more research, but figured I'd ask here too

Thanks!

shaunna&chad · July 2011

Has she tried cutting out (if she eats them) deli meats or hot dogs (I believe it's the nitrates or nitrites, I'm sorry I confuse the two.) I hear some people have good luck with Accupuncture as well.

kcdc6211 · July 2011

UNfortunately this is all too familiar for me. My father and his sister, my aunt, get them really bad. I used to for a few years through my teens but haven't had a bad one for about 6 months. Wouldn't wish that on anyone. I'd suggest a cool compress over eyes/ forehead in a dark, silent room and possibly a warm compress on back of neck. If she can stand it, maybe get hubby to gently massage neck/ base of skull. I think they would use regular excedrin at the very onset of one, sometimes prevents them or decreases the severity if ya catch it fast enough. All I know is the slightest sound/ light/ movement felt like knives. Laying in dark silent room was the only thing that kept me from breaking down [crying just makes it hurt more.] Hope this helps!

sunandsurfmama · July 2011

When I met DH he was having 4 or so migranes a week that were 8s on a scale of 1-10.

His was diet (nothing processed and eating regularly, no caffeine) and sleep related (I kept a log--THE BEST tool for figuring things out. I kept it all in an Excel spreadsheet).

I also did a lot of research and found his was also related to a vitamin D, B vitamin and magnesium deficiency. He gets magnesium, B complex and Vit D. daily and then I give him this powder if I think one may be coming on (https://www.amazon.com/Natural-Vitality-Calm-Rasp-Lemon-powder/dp/B000WVY4PE

You may also want to read this Dr. Weil articles on Feverfew (https://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/QAA400031) and Butterbur (https://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrew-weil-md/a-better-route-to-migrain_b_526945.html) Sorry, my computer won't let me hide the links.

The only migraines I cannot totally control are the ones he gets about twice a year from a sharp change in the barometer.

I am not sure what will help your Mom b/c I know that everyone has different triggers and for women, hormones can play a role.

But I hope you find something that works.

windcat2 · July 2011

Look into trigger point therapy. Check out the Trigger Point Therapy Workbook.

I've had good luck with headache/ migraine relief with trigger point therapy massage with a tennis ball. But it usually takes me 45-60 minutes for it to work.

carlinlp · July 2011

Eliminate gluten and possibly dairy too, acupuncture, if they are hormonal have her progesterone levels checked as too much estrogen can trigger them. Regular Epsom salt baths can both prevent and ease intensity. Magnesium rich foods help too. I'd get back to the chiro asap.

sunandsurfmama · July 2011

carlinlp:
Eliminate gluten and possibly dairy too.

This

kcdc6211 · July 2011

I know this isn't very natural but I just remembered hearing the lady I worked with rave about how big of a difference this made; they can give tiny botox injections in strategic places around forehead and such that I guess somehow put just the right amounts of pressure in just the right spots.. My thing is, if this works so well for the long term, there is prob a similar procedure and effect from acupuncture [I think pp mentioned that already] Just a thought that crossed my mind when I read this again

littleanomaly · July 2011

Does she have bad allergies? We have horrible allergies in our family and we found out recently that my moms allergies give her high blood pressure which gives her migraines. She's been on BP meds for 2 months and hasn't had a migraine since! She used to get a migraine every 2-3 weeks and I'm just about as bad. She has high BP running in the family though. Just another idea!

triumphantreturnofplanningbug · July 2011

Ugh, migraines. I'm sorry she's dealing with them.

Baltic amber (the sort that's used for teething necklaces) can help if she can put it on right as she notices one is starting--with the first aura or whatever her first warning signs are.

The NaturalCalm at a therapeutic dose (higher than normal) can help get them under control, and then a less-than-recommended dose daily can help keep them away.

Peppermint oil combined with massage can help the pain once it's present -- apply topically to the side that gets them, being careful to avoid the eyes, and also inhale.

Acupuncture for prevention combined with chiropractic was a godsend for me.

Other food triggers to look at include cheese, especially delicious old smelly cheese that incorporates mold, gin, wine (especially red), chocolate, red meat, wheat, and milk. Dehydration can also be a trigger, so tracking fluid intake can help reveal that.

Before I got pregnant, the only thing that worked to keep mine away was a daily calcium channel blocker. Not horribly natural, but I needed to not get 20ish in a month, and that's what worked. Most doctors will still only use Botox if you get them super regularly and frequently, they're not related to hormones, and absolutely nothing else has worked. You also usually need to have them in the same location every time. It's worth looking into, but hold it as a last ditch sorta thing.

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