6. Massage
When New York City dermatologist Debra Jaliman’ s migraines became a daily occurrence about six years ago, she made it her mission to research every available option. She tried acupuncture, compresses, thricedaily doses of butterbur and thousands of dollars in other treatments. But the therapy that finally worked for her was massage.
“ I get it twice a week, and it really does help me,” Jaliman says. Before her sessions begin, she makes sure her masseuse is aware of her migraine trigger points.
“[ Massage helps ] undo the fight-or-flight response that a lot of migraineurs experience,” Farmer says.“ Many migraineurs do feel victimized by their migraine. They are in survival mode, which makes all of the muscles tense.”
Other lower-cost relaxation techniques, such as meditation, yoga and tai chi, can also help ward off migraines. Farmer says some people even find relief from a relaxing facial.
7. Creativity
In addition to being fun and making your life more enjoyable, activities such as dancing, singing, painting, or crafting can help relax the body and raise your migraine threshold.
“ When you do something creative, you go to a more relaxed state,” Farmer says.“ Anything that takes you out of the pain zone [ is beneficial ].”
She encourages patients to identify creative pursuits they enjoy and spend a little time every day doing them. HW
Glossary: Common Migraine-Fighting Vitamins and Supplements
Butterbur: An herb with antiinflammatory effects that grows primarily in Europe and Asia and has been proven in some research to reduce migraine and headache frequency.
Coenzyme Q10: A substance produced in the human body and necessary for the basic functioning of cells. CoQ10 levels can decrease with age.
Feverfew: This plant is a member of the sunflower family. Studies show that taking capsules of dried feverfew leaves can decrease the frequency of migraines.
Magnesium: The fourth most abundant mineral in the body. According to the National Institutes of Health, magnesium is necessary for more than 300 biochemical reactions.
Riboflavin: This essential vitamin, part of the vitamin B complex, helps the body perform chemical reactions and break down carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
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