Natural Healing for Headaches and Migraines
Migraines can be extremely debilitating, affecting your ability to accomplish even basic tasks through the day. Many people take pain relievers in order address their discomfort, but there are many other options to consider in order to address this pain. Rather than using medication, more people are turning to natural remedies, which means fewer synthetic ingredients being introduced into the body and a better means of healing overall. The team at our San Diego functional medicine center would like to look at headaches (migraines in particular) and how they can be treated through the use of alternative medicine.
What are migraines?
Migraine headaches are different from normal headaches. Migraines are characterized by an intense, throbbing pain that can last anywhere from 2 hours to 72 hours. This pain is usually accompanied by feelings of nausea, dizziness, aversion to sound, and acute sensitivity to light. It's estimated that around 28 million Americans suffer from migraine headaches, which can be severely debilitating. By contacting our natural / alternative medicine center serving San Diego, we'll be able to help you find a solid solution to addressing migraines.
Noticing Triggers of Headaches and Migraines
One good way to prevent headaches and migraines from occurring (or at least limiting the frequency with which they occur) is to notice the things that trigger your attacks. Some common triggers of headaches that people report include:
- Dehydration
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Coffee
- High blood pressure
- Fluorescent lights
- Certain medications
- Certain foods
By keeping these in mind, you can help yourself avoid serious instances of pain in the future. Below are some actual alternative therapies that have proven successful for addressing headaches and migraines when they strike.
Herbs and Herbal Supplements
There are a number of different Chinese herbs and herbal supplements that we have used to help people suffering from headaches and migraines. Butterbur extract and feverfew, for instance, are both taken to prevent and reduce the number of migraines experienced, and can even stop migraines when they occur.
Dietary Adjustments
Since headaches are often brought on by nutritional deficiencies and dehydration, it's a good idea for people to reconsider their diets. Always stay well-hydrated throughout the day, drinking water rather than soft drinks or other kinds of beverages. We can discuss different foods you should be eating regularly and natural supplements to take as well.
Acupuncture and Acupressure
Both San Diego acupuncture and acupressure have been known to help people reduce the number of headaches and migraines they experience. Acupuncture in particular can help promote the body's ability to self-heal and self-regulate. Should a headache occur, there are pressure points that can help ease the pain. Pinching the soft tissue between the thumb and forefinger while engaging in deep and relaxed breathing can help control the attack.
Aromatherapy
The use of certain essential oils or special blends of oils can actually help promote relaxation and reduce the pain and throbbing of a headache. In addition to peppermint and lavender, we've also provided patients with other options to consider that will help put them at ease and in balance again.
Other Treatment Options to Consider
The above are just a few of the alternative medicine options that have worked to address patients with migraines and persistent headaches. We would be more than happy to go over additional treatments to consider during your visit to the practice.
Learn More About Alternative Medicine and Natural Healing
If you would like more information about natural healing options for treating migraines and other common problems, be sure to contact our Poway natural / alternative medicine center today. The entire team looks forward to meeting you in person and helping you find the best natural treatment for your health problem.
