Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Five "Natural" Cures for Migraines

A few points about herbals and supplements as a critique. 


"Natural" does not mean inert. Fever few and butterburr can have side effects and the long term effects are not known. One active component of feverfew "parthenolide" can induce cell death in in-vitro cancer models...whoa.....I suggest great caution in using these in children and young people.

Dont forget riboflavin! B2 is water soluble.

Reliability of these preparations can vary almost 40 fold. 


But who can argue with exercise, good posture, trigger elimination and good sleep? JR



This article discusses five natural treatments that may help cure your migraines.


A debilitating headache or migraine will not only put a damper on your day, it will stop you in your tracks and have you running for a dark room and cool head cloth. If you find yourself regularly reaching for pain relievers, you may want to implement these natural headache treatments and migraine remedies for taking the edge off.
Identify your triggers: In my clinical practice I have seen patients eliminate their migraines just by discovering their food allergies. In fact, I had one patient discover that the grapefruit she had enjoyed each morning with her breakfast for over 20 years was the instigator behind her pounding headaches. To determine the true culprit behind your distress I recommend doing a two week elimination diet. This includes the removal of all of the most common food allergies (all grains that contain gluten, dairy, citrus, peanuts, caffeine, sugar and soy). After the 14-day removal period you should slowly reintroduce the foods one at a time. By doing so, any physical or mental symptoms related to the food can be isolated. Don’t just be on the lookout for headaches. Common symptoms of a food allergy include: gas, bloating, constipation, headaches/migraines, fatigue immediately after eating the food, fatigue on waking the next day, or a gradual decline in energy, irritability, anxiety, headaches, water retention (can’t get your rings off) and dark circles under the eyes.
Straighten up your posture: Tight muscles in the neck and traps can be a one way ticket to head pain, especially when it’s linked to weak back and neck muscles, and poor posture. Acupuncture (http://nccam.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/acupuncture-for-pain.htm), chiropractic, massage and osteopathic manual therapy have all been shown to alleviate tight muscles and reduce pain sensors. In one study chronic tension headache sufferers received structured massage therapy treatment directed toward neck and shoulder muscles. Researchers found that the treatment was effective in reducing both the number and duration of headaches. For best results, ask your practitioner for some homework to do in between treatments. This may include corrective exercises, ergonomic adjustments (particularly at work) and even relaxation techniques to relieve tension in the muscles of the neck and upper back.
Bump up your magnesium: I have written about the benefits of magnesium before and luckily, it is also a powerful defense against headaches. Magnesium can affect the regulation of blood flow to the brain, which can be compromised during a migraine attack. In one study, the treatment group, receiving 600mg of magnesium for a 12 week period, experienced a 41.6% reduction in headaches as compared to only 15.8% reduction in migraine headaches in the placebo group. Additional research suggests that magnesium supplements may shorten the duration of a migraine and reduce the amount of medication needed. As an added bonus, magnesium is a natural muscle relaxer, so you may find that supplementation reduces other muscle aches and pains. I recommendtaking magnesium glycinate or citrate, taken to bowel tolerance each night (approximately 200mg – 600mg). If you get loose stools you can reduce the dose.
Check out some herbals: Out of all the herbal medicines, feverfew has the most promise for its ability to decrease the frequency and/or intensity of their migraine attack. In one study, 72 volunteers were randomly allocated to receive either one capsule of dried feverfew leaves a day or matching placebo for four months and then transferred to the other treatment for a further four months. Treatment with feverfew was associated with a reduction in the mean number and severity of attacks in each two-month period. Feverfew seems to work its magic by inhibiting the production of inflammatory substances and re-establishing proper blood vessel tone. Another herbal preparation, butterbur, has been shown to relax the blood vessels of the brain which can prevent headaches. As with all herbal medications, they require consistent usage for optimal benefits. I recommend working with a naturopath or herbalist to determine the dosage that is best for you.
Cool Your headaches with Coq10: Coenzyme Q10 (also known as CoQ10) plays a critical role in the function of your cells. The supplement has also been found to reduce migraine attacks in humans, according to a double-blind placebo-controlled study. Researchers studied 42 subjects who suffered an average of 4.4 migraine attacks per month. Approximately 48 percent of the CoQ10 group experienced a 50% response rate during the three-month study. In addition, the patients treated with CoQ10 experienced fewer migraine attacks per month, 2 after treatment compared to 4.4 before treatment, while the placebo group experienced no reduction in migraine frequency. CoQ10-treated subjects also had more headache-free days than the placebo group and fewer days with nausea. Supplementation with CoQ10 may not only improve your energy but also your heart health, blood sugar balance, nervous system and help to manage high cholesterol and high blood pressure in individuals with diabetes. Take 100mg up to two times daily.


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