Nutrition and Supplementation
Migraines are frequently triggered by allergic reactions to foods, additives, or food combination. To determine if any of these trigger your migraines, eliminate suspect foods and then reintroduce them one at a time, keeping track of your reaction to them. People are often allergic to red wine or beer as well as the amino acid tyramine (cheese, yogurt, smoked fish) and MSG (an additive found in salad dressings, commercial Chinese food, soups, and frozen foods). Sodium nitrate (hot dogs and cold cuts) has also been implicated. Similarly, chocolate, coffee, and soda have been known to trigger these headaches. Flaxseed oil (1 tblsp daily) is extremely helpful to migraine sufferers. Ask your health care provider about L-arginine. This amino acid is able to dilate blood vessels and is most effective when taken at the first sign of a migraine.
Chiropractic
Specific chiropractic adjustment (SCA) can be effective in relieving the pain, intensity, and frequency of migraine headaches in some sufferers, by removing vertebral subluxation in the upper cervical spine (typically, the first and second cervical vertebrae). The chiropractor may also apply moist heat, electromuscular stimulation, or ultrasound to the posterior cervical musculature to decrease spasms and pain in those muscles. Some patients find relief with chiropractic care alone, while others utilize a combination of medical intervention and chiropractic care.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Acupuncture can be very effective in relieving migraine pain, migraine-induced nausea and vomiting, and in reducing recurrences. Points that may be targeted are Governing Vessel 4 and 19, Gallbladder 5 and 6, Large Intestine 4 and 10, Stomach 36 and 44, and Spleen 6. Points in the ear may be added to the session, if necessary. Liver points may be targeted to build up the system, if the migraine headaches are caused by a liver deficiency.
Because migraines are thought to be caused by improperly dilated blood vessels in the head, acupuncture also can be used to help improve circulation and energy flow within these vessels.
Acupressure is very helpful in encouraging relaxation, which is usually in short supply during a migraine episode. The particular acupressure points depends on the location of the pain. In most cases, the practitioner works on points along the bladder, gallbladder, lung and stomach meridians.
Acupressure also can help improve the flow of energy in the blood vessels of the head, which may have preventive benefits.
Chinese Herbal Therapy Bupleurum Sedative Pills, Corydalis Analgesic Tablets, and Cnidium and Tea Formula also can help reduce migraine pain.
