With 39 million people in the United States suffering from migraines, more people are turning to unconventional methods to help find relief. Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medicine that uses tiny needles to stimulate nerve endings, and thousands of patients have found relief through this treatment method.
Acupuncture and Massage
Your acupuncturist will decide which pressure point or zone is being impacted to trigger your migraines and from there they will insert the needle and provide the necessary stimulation to help alleviate migraine symptoms. A powerful pain relief technique, massage targets multiple causes of migraines in one session. Massage is relaxing, which can help reduce the stress that may be causing your migraines. It also stimulates your brain to produce more serotonin, a major factor in migraine disorders. Finally, it stimulates your circulatory system, improving blood flow which can aid in decreasing symptoms of migraines.
Jaw Exercises and Night Guards
A common cause of migraines is due to issues in the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ), the joint that is responsible for helping you chew. A TMJ dentist can help diagnose this issue by checking the joints and discs in this area. From there, they can prescribe treatments such as use of a night guard, jaw strengthening exercises, and medication.
Aromatherapy and Botox
Aromatherapy is a great holistic treatment for migraines that focuses on stress relief as the main component of the treatment. Essential oils commonly used to treat migraines include lavender and peppermint. Bottles of these can be kept in your desk drawer or purse for easy access when you feel a migraine coming on, applied topically, or placed in a diffuser in your home or office. Botox is commonly associated with outpatient plastic surgery procedures, but it has also been proven to relieve migraines long term. During treatment, a physician will inject the Botox into various areas on your head and neck once every 3-4 months. The Botox works by blocking pain signals sent from the brain to the nerve endings that cause the migraines. If you meet the qualifications for treatment, results can be felt within three weeks of the procedure and lasts for three months.
Whether you choose a massage, Botox, or a visit to the dentist, there are plenty of alternative migraine treatments available that don’t have to involve medication. For severe cases, medication may be recommended in addition to any of these therapeutic migraine relief techniques.