Say the word migraine and most migraineurs will reflexively cringe in remembered pain, their last headache still vivid in their memory. Say the word reflexology to them and you will likely get a blank stare. A recent (2006) study in Denmark indicates that migraineurs who get more familiar with reflexology are less likely to cringe reflexively at the mention of migraines.
What is reflexology?
Reflexology is a massage technique based on the idea that every part of the human body has a corresponding point on the sole of the foot. Reflexologists believe that massage and stimulation of these points on the foot can relieve tension, pain, and stress in the corresponding parts of the body.
In the Danish study involved a mix of migraineurs and people experiencing chronic tension headaches. Approximately 90% of the people who participated in the study admitted to taking prescribed medication in the month prior to the study specifically for their headaches. After the study, 19% of participants said they were able to stop taking medication for their headaches thanks to the treatment.
The study involved a course of six to eight treatments with monthly follow-up treatments thereafter for a period of six months. At the conclusion of the six months 23% of the study participants said they were completely cured and no longer having headaches. Fifty-five percent of the participants noted marked improvement in their condition—headaches were less frequent and less severe. A remarkable 78% of the study participants saw an improvement in their condition.
At a follow-up check three months after the conclusion of the study 23% of the migraineurs stated they were cured. About 41% said they felt their quality of life was improved.
The treatments were most effective on younger patients and those who had been experiencing migraines for a shorter period of time.
Showing posts with label Migraine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Migraine. Show all posts
Yoga for Migraines
Stretching, breathing, bending—none of these activities sound good to a migraineur in the throes of a headache, but they should.
Yoga is a physical and psychological discipline originating in India. Most modern yoga practiced in the West is hatha yoga, which is primarily concerned with asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing exercises), and meditation. Yoga is an excellent way to relieve stress, a common migraine trigger, and tone the body. Being active in a regular, low impact fitness program helps many migraineurs reduce the frequency and severity of their headaches. This makes yoga a good fit for migraineurs who want both less headaches and less pain medication in their lives.
As with any fitness plan, migraineurs need to consult their doctor before beginning a yoga regimen. Home fitness videos and books are great resources for beginners, but should not be the only resources a migraineur uses when starting yoga. Many poses may actually increase the likelihood of headaches. Migraineurs who are seriously planning to take up yoga as a complement to their migraine treatment plan should make an appointment with a skilled yoga instructor to discuss their condition and what poses are appropriate. If they have a book, they should bring it to the appointment to review with the instructor.
For migraineurs who are thinking about taking up yoga to help ease their symptoms, but are not ready to commit to spending money on it there are some great free resources on the web relating specifically to yoga for migraines.
Yoga is a physical and psychological discipline originating in India. Most modern yoga practiced in the West is hatha yoga, which is primarily concerned with asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing exercises), and meditation. Yoga is an excellent way to relieve stress, a common migraine trigger, and tone the body. Being active in a regular, low impact fitness program helps many migraineurs reduce the frequency and severity of their headaches. This makes yoga a good fit for migraineurs who want both less headaches and less pain medication in their lives.
As with any fitness plan, migraineurs need to consult their doctor before beginning a yoga regimen. Home fitness videos and books are great resources for beginners, but should not be the only resources a migraineur uses when starting yoga. Many poses may actually increase the likelihood of headaches. Migraineurs who are seriously planning to take up yoga as a complement to their migraine treatment plan should make an appointment with a skilled yoga instructor to discuss their condition and what poses are appropriate. If they have a book, they should bring it to the appointment to review with the instructor.
For migraineurs who are thinking about taking up yoga to help ease their symptoms, but are not ready to commit to spending money on it there are some great free resources on the web relating specifically to yoga for migraines.
Natural Home Remedies for Migraine
Herbal Remedies for Migraine with Feverfew:
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) is a pretty, daisy-like herb that has been proven to reduce the number and severity of migraine attacks when taken regularly. The leaves of feverfew contain an active ingredient called parthenolide, which inhibits the production of substances that dilate blood vessels and cause inflammation. Feverfew is easy to grow, and migraine sufferers have reported relief from eating two of the fresh leaves daily. Feverfew is extremely bitter and can cause mouth or tongue irritation. To avoid this problem, try eating the leaves wrapped in a piece of fresh bread. You can also buy feverfew capsules or extract standardized for the active ingredient parthenolide. Take between one-quarter and one half milligrams of parthenolide daily for migraine prevention, and up to two grams during an acute attack.
Herbal Remedies for Migraine with Ginger:
Ginger (Zingiber officinalis) also has potent anti-inflammatory properties and when eaten regularly can help to prevent migraines. Ginger improves circulation, relaxes the blood vessels, and decreases the production of pain-causing prostaglandins. Fresh ginger may be the most effective form of the herb for preventing migraines, because the pungent oils in the raw herb have the most active properties. For migraine prevention, eat one-quarter inch slice of fresh ginger root daily, either raw or lightly cooked. If you prefer using dried ginger, buy good-quality powdered ginger and take 1,000 milligrams daily. In the event of a migraine, take 500 to 1,000 milligrams at the first sign and repeat every couple of hours up to six times a day as needed.
Home Remedies for Migraine with Lemon Crust:
The crusts of lemon have also been found beneficial in the treatment- of migraine. These crusts should be pounded into a fine paste in a mortar. The paste should be applied as a plaster on the forehead. It will provide great relief.
Home Remedies for Migraine using Niacin:
Niacin has proved helpful in the treatment of migraine. Valuable sources of this vitamin are yeast, whole wheat, green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, nuts, sunflower seeds, liver, and fish. Vitamin B complex tablets containing 100 mg of niacin can be taken for the same purpose.
Vegetable Juices Home Remedy for Migtraine:
Carrot juice, in combination with spinach juice, or beet and cucumber juices, has been found beneficial in 'lie treatment of migraine. In the first combination, 200 ml of spinach juice may be mixed with 300 ml of carrot juice to prepare 500 ml or half a liter of the combined juices. In the second combination, 100 ml each of beet and cucumber juices may be mixed with 300 ml of carrot juice.
Homemade Herbal Tea Recipe for migraine:
Ingredients:
1 ounce feverfew extract
1/2 ounce chamomile extract
1/2 ounce ginger root extract
Method and Usage:
Combine extracts in a dark-glass bottle. Take 1/2 teaspoon in a small amount of warm water 2 times a day to prevent migraines, and up to every 2 hours at the onset of a migraine.
Homemade Aroma Therapy Compress for Migraine:
Ingredients:
5 drops lavender essential oil
5 drops marjoram essential oil
2 cups cool water
Method and Usage:
Add essential oils to a basin of cool water. Soak two washcloths in the water, wring out, and apply one to the forehead and one to the back of the neck. Lie down and rest for 30 minutes or longer.
Other Effective Home Remedies for Migraine:
Hydrotherapy combined with Aroma Therapy if often effective for migraine. Soaking your hands in hot water at the first sign of a migraine helps to regulate circulation and can avert a full blown migraine episode. Adding an essential oil such as marjoram or lavender to the hand bath makes the treatment even more effective. Add 10 drops of either essential oil (or a combination of the two) to a basin of hot water. Relax, breathe deeply, and soak your hands in the water for 15 minutes.
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) is a pretty, daisy-like herb that has been proven to reduce the number and severity of migraine attacks when taken regularly. The leaves of feverfew contain an active ingredient called parthenolide, which inhibits the production of substances that dilate blood vessels and cause inflammation. Feverfew is easy to grow, and migraine sufferers have reported relief from eating two of the fresh leaves daily. Feverfew is extremely bitter and can cause mouth or tongue irritation. To avoid this problem, try eating the leaves wrapped in a piece of fresh bread. You can also buy feverfew capsules or extract standardized for the active ingredient parthenolide. Take between one-quarter and one half milligrams of parthenolide daily for migraine prevention, and up to two grams during an acute attack.
Herbal Remedies for Migraine with Ginger:
Ginger (Zingiber officinalis) also has potent anti-inflammatory properties and when eaten regularly can help to prevent migraines. Ginger improves circulation, relaxes the blood vessels, and decreases the production of pain-causing prostaglandins. Fresh ginger may be the most effective form of the herb for preventing migraines, because the pungent oils in the raw herb have the most active properties. For migraine prevention, eat one-quarter inch slice of fresh ginger root daily, either raw or lightly cooked. If you prefer using dried ginger, buy good-quality powdered ginger and take 1,000 milligrams daily. In the event of a migraine, take 500 to 1,000 milligrams at the first sign and repeat every couple of hours up to six times a day as needed.
Home Remedies for Migraine with Lemon Crust:
The crusts of lemon have also been found beneficial in the treatment- of migraine. These crusts should be pounded into a fine paste in a mortar. The paste should be applied as a plaster on the forehead. It will provide great relief.
Home Remedies for Migraine using Niacin:
Niacin has proved helpful in the treatment of migraine. Valuable sources of this vitamin are yeast, whole wheat, green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, nuts, sunflower seeds, liver, and fish. Vitamin B complex tablets containing 100 mg of niacin can be taken for the same purpose.
Vegetable Juices Home Remedy for Migtraine:
Carrot juice, in combination with spinach juice, or beet and cucumber juices, has been found beneficial in 'lie treatment of migraine. In the first combination, 200 ml of spinach juice may be mixed with 300 ml of carrot juice to prepare 500 ml or half a liter of the combined juices. In the second combination, 100 ml each of beet and cucumber juices may be mixed with 300 ml of carrot juice.
Homemade Herbal Tea Recipe for migraine:
Ingredients:
1 ounce feverfew extract
1/2 ounce chamomile extract
1/2 ounce ginger root extract
Method and Usage:
Combine extracts in a dark-glass bottle. Take 1/2 teaspoon in a small amount of warm water 2 times a day to prevent migraines, and up to every 2 hours at the onset of a migraine.
Homemade Aroma Therapy Compress for Migraine:
Ingredients:
5 drops lavender essential oil
5 drops marjoram essential oil
2 cups cool water
Method and Usage:
Add essential oils to a basin of cool water. Soak two washcloths in the water, wring out, and apply one to the forehead and one to the back of the neck. Lie down and rest for 30 minutes or longer.
Other Effective Home Remedies for Migraine:
Hydrotherapy combined with Aroma Therapy if often effective for migraine. Soaking your hands in hot water at the first sign of a migraine helps to regulate circulation and can avert a full blown migraine episode. Adding an essential oil such as marjoram or lavender to the hand bath makes the treatment even more effective. Add 10 drops of either essential oil (or a combination of the two) to a basin of hot water. Relax, breathe deeply, and soak your hands in the water for 15 minutes.
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