Alternative Treatment for Migraine Headache
When medication fails to ease your migraine pain, alternative treatments may bring you relief. Medical research supports the use of acupuncture and chiropractic treatments as appropriate measures to combat migraine headaches. Nutritional supplements and herbs are also helpful.
Once you are correctly diagnosed with migraine headaches, a holistic approach would include lifestyle changes such as altering your diet. Reflexology, physical therapy and homeopathic treatments may offer relief. Alternative and traditional approaches can be combined under the care of a qualified medical provider.
The cause of migraines is a mystery. There are various theories and numerous studies. Awareness of the different medical modalities can help you make better choices for treating your symptoms.
Migraine Facts
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMM), approximately 28 million people suffer from migraine headaches. These researchers define migraines as, "...severely painful, recurrent headaches that are sometimes accompanied by other symptoms such as visual disturbances (aura) or nausea. There are two types of migraine--migraine with aura (formerly called common migraines) and migraine without aura (formerly called classic migraines)."
If untreated, migraine attacks usually last from 4 to 72 hours. The sufferer experiences throbbing pain on one side of the head, which is worsened by physical activity. Extreme sensitivity to light and noise, paleness, and a sensation of being cold are common symptoms.
Acupuncture
Licensed chiropractic physician and acupuncturist Dr. Robert Scarnecchia, D.C., C.S.C.S stated, "Acupuncture restores normal body function by getting energy (blood) into the small intestine where 99 percent of our immune system is located...Locally, it stimulates points to reduce pain in head and neck by balancing the body's energy along the meridian system."
UMM research validates acupuncture as an aid in combating migraines. "Acupuncture has been studied as a treatment for migraine headache for more than 20 years. While not all studies have shown benefit with acupuncture, researchers do agree that acupuncture appears safe and that it may be effective for some people."
An analysis of acupuncture treatments for reducing migraine headaches was published in the highly respected Cochrane Library in 2003. It suggested that receiving an acupuncture treatment when migraine symptoms first begin is as effective as taking the drug Imitrex, but the report stated that as symptoms continue, the medication works better than acupuncture.
Chiropractic Treatment
Several clinical trials at the University of Maryland showed that "spinal manipulation therapy may help in the treatment of migraine headaches. In one study of people with migraines, 22 percent of those who received chiropractic manipulation reported more than a 90 percent reduction of attacks and 49 percent reported a significant reduction of the intensity of each migraine."
In another UMM study, migraine sufferers were randomly assigned to receive spinal manipulation, a daily medication (Elavil) or a combination of both. The results were that the spinal manipulation was as effective treating migraines as the medication, but there were fewer side effects. Dr. Scarnecchia, who practices at the Chiropractic Group in Okeechobee City, says chiropractic care restores normal motion to the Atlanto-occipital area (base of the head) to reduce nerve pressure to head and muscle spasms.
Nutritional Supplements, Diet and Herbs
The Prescription for Nutritional Healing, compiled by Phyliss A. Balch, CNC and James F. Balch MD, cites 2,000 mg daily of calcium and 1,000 mg daily of magnesium, with 60 mg daily of Co-enzyme Q10 plus Coenzyme A as a valuable treatment for migrain headaches. Calcium and magnesium help regulate muscle tone and transmit nerve impulses throughout the body and to the brain. The co-enzymes increase blood flow to the brain and improve circulation. Doses of additional vitamins and nutrients depend on the migraine sufferer's body chemistry and history.
Adopting a diet low in simple carbohydrates and high in protein is recommended. Almonds, watercress, parsley, fennel, garlic, cherries and fresh pineapple should be included. Foods to avoid are salt and acid-forming foods such as meat, cereal, bread and grains. Also avoid fried foods and fatty or greasy foods.
Several herbs are believed to alleviate pain, but they should be used cautiously as herbs can interfere with prescription medications. Recommended herbs in the Prescription for Nutritional Healing include cayenne, chamomile, ginger, peppermint and rosemary.
Responsible Choices
There are many health care options for the migraine sufferer. Alternative treatments are beneficial. Combining conventional and alternative treatments are also possible under the guidance of your health care provider. Like any illness, patients benefit most by learning about their conditions and making the best decisions for improved health.
Tags: migraine headaches, spinal manipulation, Alternative Treatment, Alternative Treatment Migraine, alternative treatments