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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