Holistic Migraine Treatments To Consider

Migraines are complicated. Even doctors and researchers do not fully understand what causes them. There are prescription and over-the-counter medications available to treat them, but these don't work for everyone, and they can cause side effects in some patients. Another route to consider is holistic migraine treatments, which aim to address and eliminate your migraine triggers rather than just managing the symptoms. Here are some treatments a holistic doctor may recommend if you see them about your migraines.

Dietary Modifications

There are many different foods that can trigger migraines, and every person has different dietary migraine triggers. Some people, for example, may develop a migraine after eating chocolate. Other people may get migraines after eating foods that contain nitrates, like hot dogs. So, many holistic doctors will start by having you follow an elimination diet. You'll eliminate a long list of foods that are potentially migraine triggers from your diet. Then, you will add them back one at a time, seeing which ones trigger migraines when added. Over time, you'll narrow down your food triggers and know which foods to avoid long-term.

Yoga 

Yoga can help prevent migraines holistically in several ways. First, it helps lower your stress levels, which is beneficial since stress is a common migraine trigger. Second, it helps you stretch out your back and neck, which is beneficial because back and neck tension can also trigger migraines. You don't have to be flexible to do yoga. There are beginner classes that are appropriate for people of all skill and fitness levels. Attending a class once or twice a week can be a really helpful way to reduce the frequency and severity of your migraines, and once you learn the basics, you can do yoga at home, too.

Sleep Hygiene

For many migraine sufferers, a lack of sleep or poor sleep is a trigger. Improving your sleep hygiene can help you get more sleep and better sleep, so this is something your holistic doctor may work with you on. You can make changes like always going to bed at a certain time, avoiding screens for an hour before bed, and sleeping in cooler temperatures. As your sleep improves, you should experience fewer migraines.

Since migraines are so related to lifestyle, it makes sense to approach them holistically. The best part about these treatments is that you can combine them with migraine medications, or you can use them on their own.

Contact a doctor that offers holistic treatments to learn more.


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