3 . Acupuncture
Given acupuncture ’ s lack of side effects and high success rate , Dr . Mauskop is quick to recommend it to his patients . From his experience , he estimates the therapy works for about 50 to 60 percent of migraineurs , though it usually takes four or five sessions to see any benefit .
1 . Lifestyle Adjustments
When Alexander Mauskop , MD , a neurologist and director of the New York Headache Center , sees patients , he always provides a handwritten list of suggested lifestyle changes and complementary therapies that usually includes exercise , meditation and certain supplements .
“ The most proven thing we start with is regular aerobic exercise ,” he says .
He recommends 20 to 30 minutes of exercise five days a week . Good sleep habits are also important , and there are many dietary interventions that can help .
2 . Vitamins and Supplements
Although vitamins and supplements have little scientific support as a migraine or headache treatment , many have proven effective for patients . In Dr . Mauskop ’ s research , as many as half of all migraineurs have a magnesium deficiency , which can exacerbate the attacks . For these patients , taking daily supplements often improves matters . For many headache sufferers , he also recommends feverfew , butterbur and coenzyme Q10 , better known as CoQ10 .
Farmer cautions that the quality of a supplement is important , and patients generally get what they pay for . The inexpensive formulations available at chain stores can be less potent and less effective . She suggests researching supplements and brands online or visiting a reputable health food store .
The disadvantages ? It ’ s time consuming and somewhat costly . Patients must come in for weekly sessions , usually for 10 to 12 weeks . Because insurance generally doesn ’ t cover acupuncture , this can get expensive fast . Although costs vary from provider to provider , each session typically runs about $ 100 , Dr . Mauskop says .
According to the NHF , other physicians and patients who have used acupuncture extensively have reported equivocal results , and the outcomes have not been sustained .
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