Migraine Relief: 6 Natural Ways To Ease The Pain

If you’ve ever had a migraine, you know that when the first symptoms strike, it’s time to find relief — and fast. And when you find something that works, you stick with it.

Stretching

If you think tension might be contributing to your oncoming migraine, try stretches to relieve aching muscles. At the first sign of a migraine, stretch your neck by pointing your chin forward, up, and toward each shoulder and then shrug your shoulders up and forward and up and back.

Massage

Acupressure and reflexology points on the feet and hands can be massaged for quick relief of a migraine and headache pain. Try pressing on the webbed space between your thumb and pointer finger for possible relief. Head, shoulder, neck, and back massage can also provide relief by reducing muscle tension.

Acupuncture

Several studies have found that acupuncture provides some of the same long-term results as drugs but without side effects. A British review of 13 studies said, study-samples that received 12 acupuncture treatments over 3 months used 15% less pain medication than those that didn’t use acupuncture.

Ginger 

It’s believed ginger works against migraines because it contains anti-inflammatory elements, inhibits prostaglandin synthesis in addition to counteracting nausea that many migraine sufferers experience. Gently simmer three slices of gingerroot in two cups of water, covered, for 30 minutes.

Herbs

New recommendations from the American Academy of Neurology confirm that the herb butterbur can prevent migraines, possibly because it supports healthy blood flow to the brain. Dry-leaf capsules of feverfew may also reduce the frequency of migraines, though the clinical evidence is still inconclusive.

Essential Oils

In a study at the University of Kiel in Germany, researchers found that dabbing peppermint oil onto the forehead was an effective treatment for migraine pain, with relief usually occurring within 15 minutes. You can also try gently massaging a couple of drops of thyme and rosemary essential oil on your temples or forehead. Both of these essential oils contain carvacrol, a substance that inhibits COX-2, an enzyme responsible for inflammation and pain.