We may often find that non-drug relief methods work well for relieving pain. A combination of medication and non-drug relief methods can be effective in helping to alleviate migraines. Common alternative and natural migraine remedies include:

Acupuncture

Recent studies have shown that acupuncture can be effective in reducing migraine pain. Many migraine sufferers report regular acupuncture to help reduce migraine attacks.

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is helpful for stress relief and relaxation during a migraine. Since migraine attacks are often triggered due to stress, massages often help to relieve stress and tension in the body.

Dark Room Rest

Many migraine sufferers find resting in a dark room to be extremely helpful in reducing migraine pain. Migraine attacks can be triggered by bright lights and dark room rest counters their effect on us.

Sleeping

Since lack of sleep is a major trigger for migraines, quality sleep is often very effective in reducing the probability of a migraine attack from occurring. Sleeping also allows your body to rest and relax your mind which helps reduce stress and fatigue.

Applying Essential Oils

Essential oils are often considered helpful for relieving migraine headaches. Various essential oils can alleviate headaches including eucalyptus, peppermint and lavender oil. Essential oils also have a soothing smell and act as anti-inflammatories.

Taking a Cool Shower or Using an Icepack

Cooling down the body, especially with ice packs has a numbing effect which often helps to mitigate pain. Ice packs are also helpful when applied to the neck during a migraine as neck pain is often a trigger for migraines.

Biofeedback

Biofeedback therapy allows a person to control their body’s functions by using electrical sensors which measure the body’s response to stress and strain and then provide “feedback” of that response. Once a person is familiar with biofeedback therapy and how their body processes tension, it can help them to reduce and control migraines.

Yoga and Meditation

Yoga can help calm the nervous system and reduce migraines related to stress and tension. It is also a good alternative to exercise which can often intensify migraine pain. 30 minutes of yoga at least 5 times a day can help reduce migraine attacks and lessen the impact of migraine symptoms.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is often an effective way of tackling migraine attacks that occur as a result of stress and anxiety. Working with a therapist helps to reduce negative thoughts, reassess life goals and reduce depression. CBT can help people who have difficulty managing stress and thus end up in a roundabout spiral of migraines triggered by stress.

Counselling

Counselling is an effective way of confronting migraines which are caused by self-inflicted emotions such as stress and depression. Stress and depression can often be caused by a sense of failure, insecurity, having suffered some traumatic experience and unprocessed grief. Counselling helps a person get to the root of their emotions, better understand how to deal with them and eventually reduce migraine attacks which may occur.