Yoga And Acupuncture Can Relieve Migraine Aches

Headache caused by migraines currently affect more than a billion people worldwide and are the second leading cause of disability worldwide. About one-quarter of American households have at least one member of the family suffering from migraine. An estimated 85.6 million workdays are lost every year as a result of migraine headaches.

Many people who suffer from migraines, instead of treating it, dismiss their pain as simply a bad headache, leaving the condition often undiagnosed, even when the pain is accompanied by other symptoms, including light and mild headaches, sound sensitivity, nausea, vomiting and dizziness.

Migraine activates trigeminal nerve

Researchers have discovered that genetics and environmental factors play a role in the occurrence of migraines. This happens when changes in your brainstem activate the trigeminal nerve, a major nerve in the pain pathway. For some people, medication has its limitations. Migraines can be bothersome. People who have it are often confined to a dark room with only their pain.

Medication & Remedies available

These periods of pain can last for several days, because of which life comes to a standstill. Sensitivity to light and sound, along with the unpredictability of illness, causes many people to stop working, school, social gatherings and spending time with family. There are many prescription drugs available for both the prevention and treatment of migraine. But for many people, traditional remedies have their limitations. Some people suffering from migraine have low tolerance to certain medicines. Many people cannot afford the high cost of medicines or cannot tolerate the side effects.

Pregnant or lactating women suffering from migraine cannot take these medicines. However, these practices are collectively called complementary and alternative medicine.

Research shows that alternative treatments are associated with better sleep, feeling better emotionally, and an increased sense of control. Some patients can avoid prescription drugs altogether with one or more complementary therapies. For others, non-traditional treatments may be used along with prescription medication.

Physiotherapy and massage can relieve pain

Physiotherapy and massage can be used all at once or in combination, depending on how severe the headache is and the reason behind it. If the pain is due to stiffness in the neck, then physiotherapy or massage may be most beneficial. If the cause of the pain is stress, then perhaps this would be an opportune time to start meditating. It would be worth knowing which option might work best for you to find out, whether mindfulness, meditation or some other.

Stress triggers Migraine 

Since stress is a major trigger for migraines, one of the most effective alternative therapies is mindfulness meditation, which works to focus your attention on the present moment without prejudice. Studies show that mindfulness meditation can reduce the frequency of headaches and the severity of pain.

Another useful tool is biofeedback, which enables a person to observe their vital signs in real time and then learn to stabilise them. For example, if you are stressed, you may feel muscle tightness, sweating and a rapid heart rate. With biofeedback, these changes are reflected on a monitor, and a therapist teaches you exercises to help manage them.

Studies show that physical therapy with medication was better at reducing migraine frequency, pain intensity, and pain perception than medication alone. By reducing stress levels and promoting relaxation, massage can reduce the frequency of migraines and improve sleep.

Stretch-based therapy uses manual techniques

There is strong evidence that biofeedback can reduce the frequency and severity of migraine headaches and reduce headache-related disability. 

Yoga derives from traditional Indian philosophy and combines physical postures, meditation and breathing exercises with the goal of uniting the mind, body and spirit. Consistent yoga practice can be helpful in reducing stress and treating migraines.

Stretch-based physical therapy uses manual techniques such as myofascial and trigger-point release, passive stretching and cervical traction, which provides a gentle stretch on the head with a skilled hand or with a medical device.