10 Effective Treatments For Migraines To Relieve Migraine Pain

Last Updated on November 13, 2021 by Lori Geurin

Did you know that over 12% of the population gets migraines? This includes children. These severe headaches can include several neurological symptoms. They also tend to run in families and are debilitating, causing a loss of productivity in work and missing out on life in general. In this blog post, we’ll discuss natural and pharmaceutical treatments for migraines.

Treatments For Migraines

There are a variety of treatment options for people who suffer from migraines. Personally, I’ve tried a variety of treatments, exploring both holistic and traditional medicine. For me, a combination of both works best.

My current treatment regimen includes taking steps to prevent my migraine triggers. For example, I know that eating certain foods, not getting enough sleep, or stress are triggers for me.

The bright sun or fluorescent lights can also be a problem, so I wear dark sunglasses when I’m outside, and my sweet husband had the windows on my car tinted to the darkest shade that is legal.

I also take supplements that have been proven to help migraine sufferers (keep reading for more on this).

When I have a migraine, I immediately drink a cup of coffee (Caution: Caffeine is a trigger for some people) and close the shades in our bedroom if I’m at home. If the radio is on I turn it off to eliminate noise.

I take anti-nausea medicine (Zofran), 3 or 4 Ibuprofen, and migraine medicine. I’ve tried different medicines over the years, including Excedrin Migraine (which didn’t seem to do anything for me) but this combination seems to help me the most.

Even though we have room-darkening curtains, I usually cover my eyes with a washcloth to block out every bit of light. If you get migraines you may understand how painful light is.

I’ve also found that applying a cool compress to my head and face can help.

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Essential Oils For Migraines

I use essential oils too. My favorite essential oils for migraines include peppermint, M-Grain, frankincense, lavender, and PanAway.

Here’s more information on different essential oils to help you manage migraine pain and symptoms.

What about you? What treatments help you when you get a migraine?

As always, please consult with your doctor to help you decide what treatments are best for you.

Here are 10 that may help relieve your migraines.

Natural Migraine Treatments

• Hydration – Drink a lot of water to keep your body hydrated. Dehydration is a trigger for some people.
• Diet – Avoid foods that contain MSG, nitrates, and nitrites, such as hot dogs.
• Acupuncture – is effective for many. In one study, people receiving several acupuncture treatments reported fewer migraines and fewer side effects (1).
• Stress management – including yoga, relaxation techniques, and Tai Chi
• Massage therapy – You can do this yourself by massaging your temples or asking someone to rub your shoulders, neck, and back (2).
• Supplements – Coenzyme Q-10, Magnesium, melatonin, and Vitamin B-2 may help prevent migraines and/or make them less intense.

Drug Treatments For Chronic Migraines

• Pain relievers – NSAIDs, aspirin, and Tylenol may be effective for reducing pain, especially combined with other treatments.
• Triptans – This group of drugs includes Imitrex, Maxalt, and Zomig.
• Antidepressants – These are possible options for people suffering from anxiety or depression.
  Tricyclics – This group of drugs includes nortriptyline and amitriptyline. These are given in low doses daily to prevent migraines and are good for people who have trouble sleeping.

Summary – How To Treat Chronic Migraine Headaches

Getting migraines is hard, but with all the treatment options there is hope for relief and a better quality of life. Learning your migraine triggers is important because it can help you take steps to prevent them.

There are many natural options that can help, including essential oils, cold therapy, stress management, and acupuncture. And there are a variety of pharmaceuticals, from over-the-counter to prescription meds. And preventatives too.

It’s all about finding out what works best for you, giving yourself grace throughout the learning process, and believing that you can find something to help lessen your pain and symptoms.

For more on migraines, you’ll want to read:

• 10 Migraine Headache Symptoms Plus Triggers and Risk Factors
• Migraine Buddy: THE App For People With Migraines

I would love to hear from you about your experiences with migraines. What have you tried that works? Do you have any natural remedies to suggest?