I’ve been suffering from migraines ever since I was a teenager. For some people, the pain is limited to one side or the other of their head, but for me, the pain always emanates right from the front and center. It used to be that as soon as I felt the usual symptoms coming on, I would have to pop in a few Tylenol or Aleve and then go scurrying for a dark room so I could lie down for a few hours. But that’s not exactly a feasible plan now that I’m in the workforce and have to be at my desk or in meetings all day. Fortunately, I read up on migraine headache relief a long time ago and now know about several all-natural remedies and techniques that help me manage the pain.
For most people the most effective migraine headache relief is to remove themselves from bright lights and loud noises until the symptoms die down. But if seclusion during one of these episodes is impossible, then try one of these alternatives. One remedy that has provided effective migraine headache relief for some people is the herb feverfew, whose scientific name is Tanacetum parthenium. It is available in pill or capsule form at many all-natural food stores, and might be worth a try.
Another option is to use aromatherapy to combat the symptoms of common migraines. Some essential oils including lavender, peppermint, and sandalwood, have a very soothing effect on the body and can help ease the tension that causes some headaches. To try this kind of migraine headache relief, simply add a few drops of one of these oils to some warm or cool water (whatever temperature you prefer, really), then soak a soft cloth in the treated water and apply the cloth to your forehead. This approach is actually hit or miss, as some people are a bit too sensitive to these smells for aromatherapy to work properly. Therefore you might want to try this at a time when your pain isn’t quite at its peak yet.
The majority of physicians agree that aromatherapy makes an excellent complementary treatment for migraineurs. Aromatherapy has actually not been shown to remove migraine headaches, but when utilized to match conventional therapy and medication it can reduce the frequency and intensity of attacks.
A third all-natural approach to migraine headache relief is to get a massage from a specialist. Since migraines are usually the result of stiffness or tension in the head, neck, and shoulders, it makes sense that relaxing the muscles in these areas could reduce pain. There are many professionals who specialize in massage therapy for headaches, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to find someone near your home or office for treatment. Although this option is far more expensive than the others I’ve listed, if you find a good masseuse, the price is absolutely worth it.
Although there’s no question that migraines can be debilitating, you don’t have to let them control your life anymore. Try one of these all-natural remedies and therapies for migraine headache relief and see if one of them helps make your condition more manageable. You’ve got nothing to lose except the pain!
Some of the essential oils commonly recommended for migraine aromatherapy are lavender, peppermint, rosemary, eucalyptus, sandalwood, clary sage, ginger, ylang-ylang, basil, marjoram, and chamomile.
