Migraine is a neurological syndrome characterized by altered bodily perceptions, severe headaches, and nausea. Physiologically, the migraine headache is a neurological condition more common to women than to men. The word migraine was borrowed from Old French migraigne (originally as "megrim", but respelled in 1777 on a contemporary French model). The French term derived from a vulgar pronunciation of the Late Latin word hemicrania, itself based on Greek hemikrania, from Greek roots for "half" and "skull".
The signs are not always clear, but you know it when you have one. Pain and throbbing on one side of the head that sometimes occur behind the eyes and can often last for days -- it is the dreaded migraine headache.
The root cause of the migraine is a bit of a mystery, however disruptions in the serotonin neurotransmitters are suspected. These are vascular events that may be triggered by stress, foods such as orange juice or coffee, chemical additives like MSG, or a deficiency in magnesium. Oftentimes a migraine may be preceded by an aura (a visual or auditory anomaly) and are almost always associated with light or sound sensitivity.
While migraines are relatively easy to diagnose, they can be extremely difficult to treat. Each person experiences a migraine so differently that medical treatments and prescriptions may not always work for everyone and are often inconsistent. Avoiding your particular triggers and staying healthy may thwart a migraine but sometimes that may not be enough.
Frequent episodes can be exhausting, and navigating all of the available treatments can be frustrating. Many migraine sufferers find that keeping an arsenal of alternative therapies on hand can go a long way toward reducing the instances of these episodes.
Five alternative therapies for migraines:
MagnesiumClinical studies have established a link between magnesium deficiency and migraine headaches. Magnesium is a mineral crucial for hundreds of biochemical processes in the body and it is thought that a majority of the U.S. population is deficient (RDA: 240 mg children; 320 mg for women; 420 mg for men). Almonds, cashews, spinach, soybeans, and chocolate are good sources of magnesium.
Acupuncture
Regular visits to the acupuncturist can greatly reduce migraine episodes, as this ancient healing art is an effective remedy not only for pain but will also balance hormones like serotonin.
Chiropractic
A full chiropractic analysis may shed some light on what is causing your migraines, particularly if they are related to a structural imbalance in the neck. Chiropractors employ spinal and soft tissue manipulation to relieve built-up pressure.
Therapeutic Herbs
Feverfew, also called bachelor’s button is among the most often prescribed migraine treatment for many herbalists. It is a natural anti-inflammatory and works to reduce surges in serotonin. Feverfew can be taken in pill form at the onset of an episode but is often taken in tea form as a preventive measure.
Massage Therapy
Migraines can often be triggered by stress, and regular massage therapy can be one of the most rewarding ways to prevent them. The bodywork provided by an experienced massage therapist can reduce stress by calming the mind and relaxing the muscles and releasing toxin build up
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