What can I do about these Migraines? They tend to get worse with my periods and now even headache pills are not helping. I was told Acupuncture might help
Migraine headache is a devastating and debilitating condition that is often confused with severe headaches but in actuality has the completely different cause at the root. Recent studies have largely disputed the vascular association of a migraine and are more pointing towards a neurological and inflammatory condition affecting the cervical nerve roots. In a migraine headache prior to its occurrence a large area of the brain neurological activity is depressed causing inflammatory response, which irritates the cranial nerves, this can occur sometimes up to 24 hours prior to the onset. Migraines, unlike ordinary headaches, have additional associated symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, auras (light spots), and sensitivity to light and sound, numbness, difficulty in speech, which are all connected to the irritation of the cranial nerves. Migraines tend to last for long periods of time, days, or weeks. It is thought that Migraine headache sufferers have a genetic disposition.
In clinical settings we treat migraine headaches with acupuncture to prevent onset or reduce duration and severity, Combined with an internal herbal formulation to address the underlying imbalances.
Dietary advice
Eat wholesome foods, with no preservatives, additives and artificial compounds. Artificial coloring agents and some preservatives have been known to cause headaches. Add a good amount of whole grains, fiber rich foods, green leafy vegetables, parsley, Chrysanthemum flowers, Mint, Great tea, onions, ginger, pearl barley, carrots, prunes, buckwheat, peach kernels, almonds. Eat regularly, more frequently and in smaller quantities. Do not eat while on the run, or under stress. Do not eat late at night. And do not eat and lye down immediately. Avoid spicy foods, heavy starchy foods and foods that cause stagnation. Alcohol and coffee should be avoided. Avoid Chocolate and Red wine, dairy products, especially cheese.
Home Remedies
• Make tea from Chinese prunes, green tea and mint
• Mash peach kernels, walnuts and mix with rice wine and lightly roast take 2 Table spoons three times per day
• Make carrot juice and squirt into left, right or both nostrils depending on the location of the headache.
• Place Ice pack at the vertex of the head.
Potentially Helpful Supplements
• Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) rhizome extract was shown in a controlled trial to provide 50% or more reduction in the number of migraines.
• Kudzu root (Pueraria lobata) has been demonstrated to help with menstrual migraine headaches and cluster headaches.
• Magnesium and Coenzyme Q10 supplements may help.
Herbal Remedies
• Chinese Herbal formula. A representative formula for migraine headaches contains Gastrodia, Uncaria, Concha Haliotidis, Loranthi, Eucommiae, Cyathula, Gardenia, Scutellaria, Caulis Poligoni, Poria. This formula can be obtained from a licensed practitioner. Individual herbs that have shown to be effective include Hematitum, Magnetitu, Tribuli, Scolopendra and Herba Asari. Consult with a practitioner before self-medicating.
Exercise
It is important to stress that during a prodrome phase of a migraine episode, rigorous exercise should be avoided, as it may expedite the onset. Gentle fresh air walk for ten minutes may help with the stress and reduce the severity. Otherwise a regular regiment of moderate cardiovascular and stretching exercise can help maintain good health and proper circulation.
Daily meditation and Tai Chi exercises can also help.
1. Stand legs apart shoulder width, with your back erect. Gently stretch your spine to an erect position and elevate the vertex of your head with your chin slightly tilted downwards so as to expose the cervical vertebra.
2. Inhale while raising both arms from the sides to hands over the top of your head and exhale while lowering your hands downward in front of your face. Visualize the muscles of the head, face neck and upper back relaxing slowly and gradually. With each breath relax the muscles more and more. Repeat the process for 10 minutes.
3. Do these exercises once in the morning and once at night before bed.
IMPORTANT
• Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), Aspertamine, and other artificial sweeteners and preservative can trigger migraines.
• Many Migraine sufferers have learned to identify specific triggers for their migraines, generally avoiding these triggers and maintaining a healthy stress free life can help reduce occurrences.
• Alcohol, and Caffeine withdrawals, missing meals have direct links to triggering Migraines. Contraceptive pills have also been linked to migraine headaches.
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