Migraine Treatments

Migraine treatments have come a long way since my diagnosis back in the 90s. There is no cure, but there are a lot more options and ways to treat migraine. Migraine treatments involve a combination of migraine medications and alternative therapies. The list below are some common migraine medications and migraine treatments. I have tried many of these and they are my experiences only. Others will have a different reaction to medication and therapies than I do, but I share to help others learn and pave a path for others to ask about. Always stay curious about your health! 

Please remember that I AM NOT A DOCTOR! I am a person living with migraine and navigating my own experience. Talk with your doctor for medical advice to help navigate yours. Disclaimer

I see a headache specialist and have consulted a functional medicine doctor and integrative health practitioner to seek better health with migraine.

Migraine treatments vary vastly and so do their results for each person. There are many natural and medicinal migraine treatments.  Mind, body, and soul therapies can be used along with preventative and abortive efforts.  What works for me may not work for you.  I have tried a lot because a lot has failed, not been worth the money, side effects, or minimal help.  I have found migraine treatments that provide great relief and some that remain part of my daily life. Remember that my migraine treatment plans change and not all posts are up to the current date.  Please take a look at some common treatments I’ve tried and decide for yourself.

*Links may contain affiliate links. This means I will be compensated if you purchase through the link. These funds go to funding my blog. Thank you!

Migraine Treatments at Home

Remember, the effectiveness of these non-drug approaches can vary from person to person. It's important to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new treatment regimen and to keep them informed of any changes in your condition or treatment plan. They can provide personalized guidance based on your specific situation.

Lifestyle

• Maintain a Regular Sleep Schedule: Consistent sleep patterns can help regulate your body's internal clock, reducing the likelihood of migraine.
• Establish a Routine: Having a predictable daily schedule can help reduce stress and minimize potential triggers.
• Stay Hydrated: Dehydration is a common migraine trigger, so it's important to drink plenty of water throughout the day. I use additional electrolytes and tablets to help boost hydration along with lots of water.
• Dietary Modifications: Identify and avoid trigger foods or additives like caffeine, alcohol, processed foods, and those containing artificial sweeteners like aspartame. I have been tested for food allergies and food intolerances to know what does and doesn't work for my body. My functional medicine doctor recommended this. it's important to consult a healthcare provider before starting any new regimen.
  • Caffeine can trigger and can help treat depending on each person.  Often not recommended by physicians if you have chronic migraine but in episodic acute attacks, it can be used to enhance the effectiveness of some medications. It helps me but only with consistency on how much and when. Proceed with caution and medical supervision.
  • Nutritional Supplements
    • Ginger is known to help with nausea and has been researched to possibly abort migraine.
    • Dizzy Cook and HYH may help
    • Magnesium has shown promise in reducing migraine frequency and severity.
• Regular Exercise: Engage in regular physical activity, but be mindful of not overexerting yourself, as intense exercise can sometimes trigger migraine.
• Self Care

Environment

• Work Accommodations
• Dark/Quiet Room
• Altering Light
  • Allay lamp- for green  light therapy
  • Allay light- to ease light sensitivity
  • Norb bulb
  • Eye mask or ice headache hat– to shut out the light and add cold therapy
• Glasses
  • Axon Optics
  • TheraSpecs
  • Avulux
  • Migraine Shields
• Clean Air
  • Salt Therapy
  • Salt Lamp
  • Epsom Salts
  • Salt Cave
  • Hepa Filter
  • Face Mask helps prevent smell triggers and may decrease the contraction or spreading of illness

Migraine Therapies

Mind Body Connections

• Meditation and Mindfulness: These practices can help calm the mind, improve focus, and reduce overall stress levels.
• Yoga
• Relaxation Techniques: Practice relaxation exercises like deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and guided imagery to reduce stress and tension.
• Biofeedback for Migraine Treatment- This is a technique that teaches you how to control certain bodily functions (like heart rate and muscle tension) to reduce pain and stress. It often involves the use of electronic monitoring equipment.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)- CBT can help you identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that may be contributing to your migraine attacks. It's particularly useful in managing stress and anxiety.
• Aromatherapy-Everyone is very sensitive and oils are a personal preference. At times it helps me while other times it triggers me. I usually prefer lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, lemon, and migrastil.
• Hydrotherapy
  • Bath/shower-Caution: This is not recommended for those with hemiplegic migraine. Drowning is an unfortunate possibility for a hemiplegic migraine attack if an attack occurs in a bathtub.
• Nature
• Pets
• Art therapy
• Music
• Dance
• Distractions with Hobbies- Gardening
• Comfort and tactile items- Weighted blanket

Muscle and Body Work

• Physical Therapy and Posture Correction: Chiropractic care for migraine treatment.
  • Addressing issues related to posture, muscle tension, and alignment through physical therapy can be helpful in reducing the frequency and severity of migraine.
• Acupuncture and acupressure- Traditional Chinese medicine practices like acupuncture and acupressure involve stimulating specific points on the body to promote energy flow and alleviate pain.
  • My experience with acupuncture with migraine
  • My favorite acupressure mat and pillow.
• Massage
• Exercise- stretching and gentle movements
• Heat Therapy
• Ice Therapy
  • Ice is my go-to for headache treatment. A cold dark room, ice, and sleep are the most natural and effective ways I fight head pain.
  • I use these Cooling Headache Pads when I travel on the go.
• Mouth Guard- I never realized I was grinding my teeth and a mouth guard has helped with some of my migraine head and jaw pain because of it.

Migraine Medications

Migraine treatment often involves the use of medications prescribed by a healthcare professional. These can include acute (abortive) medications to alleviate the symptoms during an attack, as well as preventive (prophylactic) medications to reduce the frequency and severity of migraine. Migraine treatment requires the guidance and supervision of a healthcare provider, typically a neurologist or headache specialist. They will assess the individual's specific migraine patterns, triggers, and overall health to determine the most appropriate treatment plan. Find a headache specialist here

Migraine Medication and Specialized Therapies

In some cases, specialized treatments like Botox injections, CGRP monoclonal antibodies, or other interventions may be recommended for individuals with chronic or severe migraine. Healthcare providers monitor the effectiveness of the prescribed medications and make adjustments as needed. They may also explore different treatment options if the initial approach does not yield satisfactory results.

Migraine Devices

There are several FDA-approved migraine devices that are non-invasive and often used as adjuncts or alternatives to medications.

• Nerivio
• Cefaly
• GamaCore
• Relivion
• sTMS

Migraine Medication Risks and Benefits

Medical treatments come with potential risks and benefits. It's important for healthcare providers to weigh these factors and provide informed recommendations based on the individual's specific health profile.

Support

• Psychological Support- Therapy and counseling with professionals address anxiety depression and other mental health challenges that may arise.
• Migraine Support Groups
• Connect with others through an app
• Engage online on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Migraine Advocacy

I believe advocacy should be part of everyone's treatment plan. Join the ACT Now program for advocacy training.