Some Popular Alternative Migraine Treatments

Anyone that suffers from frequent and persistent migraine headaches may be ready to try just about anything to get them to stop, and to keep them from every coming back. Between the pain, the nausea, and the dizziness, sufferers often find themselves willing to try just about any of the migraine treatments that are available to them. In this article we'll list some of the most effective treatments, and some that are considered "alternative" but that seem to work for many.

Beta blockers are among the most common migraine treatments prescribed today. They work by slowing down the heartbeat and were originally designed to treat high blood pressure; the slower the heartbeat, the lower the blood pressure. Many have found that they are very effective as migraine treatments as well, as they slow the nerve impulses that may trigger migraines. If you've been prescribed beta blockers, be sure to follow your doctor's order completely.

Another medicine that is usually prescribed for high blood pressure but that works as effective migraine treatments are calcium channel blockers. These cause the blood vessels to relax, which is how they affect blood pressure and relieve migraines. Like beta blockers, calcium channel blockers need to be taken exactly as prescribed.

There are other migraine treatments that are not as harsh as these and which don't require a prescription. For example, one study in Belgium found that persons who took Vitamin B2 daily had about 30% fewer migraines than they did before. Feverfew leaf is one of the most common homeopathic migraine treatments, and is also used to treat arthritis. It seems to work as an anti-inflammatory agent and controls the release of serotonin, which is believed to contribute to migraines.

Botox injections are quickly becoming popular migraine treatments. As they paralyze the nerves, they prevent them from sparking a migraine headache. While there is still much debate over the use of Botox injections as migraine treatments, many who have tried them have reported that they do seem to work. If all other options have failed, you may speak to your doctor about them.

Acupuncture is another of those migraine treatments that is still considered alternative. This may be because it is still unclear to many doctors and scientists as to why acupuncture works the way that it does. Many experts assert that it is really nothing more than suggestive and has no real medical value. However, many who have tried it report that it does work, and since it seems to do no harm, it can be considered as an option for those who have tried everything else, or who do not want to try harsh medicines.

Of course, preventing a migraine in the first place is always one of the best migraine treatments there is. If you know that a particular set of circumstances will trigger a migraine in you, such as certain foods, bright lights, and undue stress, do what you can to avoid or reduce these. Take up a relaxing hobby such as yoga or meditation and mind your diet. After all, what's the point of researching migraine treatments if you won't do what you can to prevent them from happening in the first place?