The Misery of Migraines

Are you one of the thirty million Americans that suffer from Migraines? They can be debilitating and can come on at any moment. Why people get them still remains something of a mystery however there are many triggers including heredity, sleep deprivation, muscular tension, hormonal shifts or stress. Food sensitivity is also a big trigger mostly due to processed foods, aged cheese, chocolate, caffeine, canned foods, artificial sweeteners, MSG, red wine and beer. Certain odors or perfumes can also be a contributor. Knowing the source of your migraines will direct treatment. In addition not all migraines are the same. Symptoms range from nausea, vomiting, dizziness, sensitivity to sound and light, barometric pressure changes, seeing spots or flashes of light to numbness and tingling in the extremities. Generally people who get migraines fall into the Type A personality category…hyper, excitable, intense and usually are perfectionists. Researchers have found that in the brains of migraine sufferers the neurons are unstable and more likely to be affected.
If you chose to take “The Holistic Root” to managing your migraines, I have compiled some very effective treatment options. You may find that doing a combination of treatments works better. When you treat something in a holistic way you are taking the whole person into consideration so addressing mind, body and spirit will yield much better, longer lasting results. 

Here are my recommendations:

Acupuncture is the traditional Chinese medical technique for unblocking chi (life energy or life force) by inserting needles at particular points on the body, called meridians. It is a great way to relieve inflammation and also clear the blocked energy that can cause disease. The results are felt even after the needles come out.

Chiropractic Adjustments - According to Dr. John D’Ambrosio of New Milford, NJ, “True chiropractic, delivered by a principled chiropractor does not treat anything, but what it does do is allow your nerve energy or life force to flow through the body uninhibited. When we are under stress - life being full of chemical, physical and emotional stress - the body can get overloaded. This results in aberrant nerve flow and patterning. Since every disease process known to man, from cancer, heart attacks, stroke, etc., needs to be patterned first within the nervous system before they can manifest physically, getting adjusted regularly can break up this faulty patterning. This will allow your body to prevent the diseases from ever occurring. Since your immune system is the end organ of your nervous system, you also end up with a stronger immune system as well. When your nervous system is functioning optimally, things like migraine headaches and other pains and symptoms can clear up, as the body will be able to heal itself. Only the chiropractic adjustment can free the nervous system and allow innate intelligence (the power that created the body and keeps it functioning and organized throughout the millions of processes that occur within you daily) to work unimpeded. Have I seen people in my office end up with relief from migraine headaches? Absolutely! Am I treating them for migraine headaches, or am I opening up the body so true healing can come from within? Without a doubt, I practice the latter”.  I highlighted this line from Dr. D’Ambrosio because this can never be emphasized enough. Healing is an inside job.

Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle touch that uses slight movements and light pressure to adjust the flow of the cerebrospinal fluid so it flows more freely. This helps unblock energy by improving circulation, relieving tension and stimulating the immune system.

Detoxification - In Ayurveda which is India’s system of medicine, it is believed that digestion affects headaches, and migraines are a sign that the body’s elimination process isn’t working properly so detoxing the body is highly recommended.

Essential Oils
Peppermint - It’s cheap and great for migraines. You need to be careful not to get it in your eyes but you take some in your hands and rub it together and deep breathe it in. In addition, put a drop on each temple. You can also rub it on your head. Just a drop in your hands and again avoid the eyes. You can also mix it with an almond, sesame or an oil you may have around to dilute it.
Lavender - I recommend everyone having a bottle of lavender essential oil. It’s great for so many things but also good for headaches and tension.
M-Grain – This is an oil blend which is a bit pricier but has been known to be great for migraines. It is by a company called Young Living Oils (www.youngliving.com). It’s $52.50 and is a blend of oils (that are antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory), including, basil, marjoram, lavender, peppermint, roman chamomile and helichrysum. You can rub it anywhere you feel pain.
Make sure you buy 100% essential oils.

Herbs
Feverfew can reduce the incidence of Migraines by up to 70% by stopping inflammation that causes the blood vessels in the head to expand.
Butterbur in studies has shown to reduce the frequency of migraines. If you buy it chose the PA-free Butterbur. PA is a toxic compound known as pyrrolizidine allkoloids. There is also a product called Petadolex (www.migraineaid.com) which is PA-free Butterbur.Whenever you buy herbs make sure you buy organic herbs from a company that uses ethical practices. Also - if you are on any prescription meds don't take any herbs. You can try the homeopathic remedy below.

 Homeopathy - As I mentioned, if you are on any prescription medication the one thing you can take without a problem is anything homeopathic. A company called Hyland's makes a Migraine Headache Relief formula.

 Nutrition - Eat a lot of leafy green vegetables, nuts and seeds. They have magnesium which when you are deficient can cause migraines or make them worse

 Stress Management – The mind/body connection is so important to wellness and healing. Practicing ways to achieve inner calm is so beneficial for our immune system and overall health.

 Meditation is excellent for alleviating stress and practiced over time it can help change the way you think and react to situations which keeps you in a calmer place.

 Bio Feedback is a technique that teaches you how to regulate your own nervous system which allows you to regulate the dilation of blood vessels that contributes to migraine headaches.

 Hypnosis is a procedure in which the patient enters a deep state of relaxation so the therapist can enhance the patients own self healing mechanism with the use of positive suggestions and thoughts.

Supplements
Some studies suggest that people who suffer from migraines are low in nutrients such as coenzyme Q10, magnesium, vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and vitamin D so you may want to ask your doctor to check your levels.
Omega 3 fatty acids are good for inflammation and should be taken every day. For the omega 3 I like a product called Omega Zen. It’s a vegetarian omega 3, not from fish oil. It comes right from the plant source and is free from heavy metals and toxins that may also contaminate fish.
I always recommend taking the mind/body approach since many issues in life are emotional and stress related. One of the first things to ask yourself is, “what is triggering this migraine?” Is there a message in your migraines? Are you living your life’s purpose? Are your relationships healthy? Is there an emotional pain in your life that you haven’t dealt with? Remember that when you avoid dealing with emotional pain in your life it will knock until you open that door to see what’s behind it. Drugs will work but they won’t deal with the root cause of the migraines. Keep in mind that when you start any new treatment or regiment, give it about six to eight weeks to see results. Some results may be immediate but changes in regiments and habits, especially changing the way you think, takes time but I assure you it is well worth it!

Yours in health,
Maria