Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsIce CapsExerciseCaffeineRehydrationFatty FishB VitaminsButterburWeight LossEssential OilsMagnesiumGingerAcupunctureMassageSleepBiofeedback
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Ice Caps
Exercise
Caffeine
Rehydration
Fatty Fish
B Vitamins
Butterbur
Weight Loss
Essential Oils
Magnesium
Ginger
Acupuncture
Massage
Sleep
Biofeedback
There are several medications used to treat migraines, but for many people, alternative and at-home migraine treatments provide the needed relief.
Migraine treatmentsmay include methods of preventing attacks as well as remedies to ease symptoms. Supplements, lifestyle changes, herbal remedies, and alternative therapies can all be part of your strategy for managingmigraines.
Research has shown that taking actions such as exercising or changing your diet can reduce the frequency of headaches. Acupuncture and other holistic approaches have also shown benefits. Discuss each of these remedies with your provider to be sure they support your overall health.
Verywell / Michela Buttignol
Ice Caps (“Migraine Hats”)
Cold compresses have been used to treat headaches for more than 100 years. Traditionally known as ice caps, today they are specially designed with re-freezable gel packs and fit snugly on your head.
Studies suggest these cooling caps can offer some relief for migraine sufferers. Researchers analyzed a variety of cold therapies such as cold-gel headbands, cold-gel caps, and cold wraps. They found that the various methods instantly reduced migraine pain.
However, the ice caps only provide short-term help; they don’t stop the pain from coming back.Researchers also have not gathered any evidence that cold therapy affects other symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.
If you’re in the midst of a migraine attack, do not take on serious physical exertion; it might make things worse. However, exercise has been shown to be an effective deterrent for migraines.The higher the intensity of regular workouts, the greater the benefit.
The reason for this connection between exercise and reduced migraines is manifold:
Caffeine is part of the “5 Cs” known to trigger headaches. These common causes of a migraine—cheese, chocolate, cola, coffee, and citrus fruits—are frequently on the “do not eat” list for people with migraines. Three of those common problem foods (chocolate, cola, and coffee) contain caffeine.
However, for some people with migraines, caffeine seems to ease symptoms.Researchers aren’t completely sure why, but one theory holds that caffeine’s effect onadenosine, a substance found in the brain, is related to improved headache symptoms.
Another theory relates to recent research that has found a link between regular coffee drinking and intestinal microbiota. Since there is already a known connection between migraines and the gut-brain relationship, it’s believed that caffeine factors into this phenomenon somehow.
The connection between lack of fluids ordehydration and headachesis not clearly understood. However, it does seem to trigger some types of headaches. It’s believed that dehydration causes fluid in the brain to shift, which impacts the lining of the brain and stimulates pain receptors.
The omega-3 fatty acids in fish are thought to have anti-inflammatory effects that may help reduce the inflammation in the brain that can lead to migraines. More research is needed to determine the ideal dose of omega-3s to deliver this benefit.
Vitamins B1, B6, and B12 are all well-known for their role in neurological health. Taking high dosages of these vitamins has been shown to ease pain from various disorders. This occurs even in cases where the person does not have a clear vitamin deficiency.
Before taking a B-complex supplement, you should talk to your doctor and consider getting a full blood analysis of your vitamin levels.
Butterbur (Petasites hybridus)is a shrub that has been used medicinally for centuries. It’s used to treat wounds, coughs, and asthma. Extracts made from butterbur have been shown to prevent migraines.
The exact mechanism that makes butterbur effective is unclear, but the plant containspetasins, chemical compounds that seem to have anti-inflammatory properties.
American Headache Society (AHS) and the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) had previously recommended using butterbur extract to treat migraines.However, concerns about liver toxicity have made healthcare providers more cautious about its use.
Some compounds of butterbur extract containpyrrolizidine alkaloids. These are naturally occurring toxins found in plants that can damage the liver.Talk to your healthcare provider before you take any supplement or compound with butterbur.
There’s some evidence that carrying extra weight may increase the risk of getting migraines. In fact, people who are overweight are three times more likely to develop migraines compared to those who are at a healthy weight.Losing excess weight may help reverse this effect.
Researchers have found that patients with obesity who lose weight have significantly fewer migraines. And when migraines occur after weight loss, the attacks are often less severe and shorter.
Some people have found that essential oils can offer immediate and short-term relief from migraine symptoms. One study found that applying peppermint oil to the nose resulted in a 40% reduction in headache intensity.
Sniffing lavender oil for 15 minutes has also been shown to reduce migraine pain and duration.Many people also find relief using a migraine stick, a roll-on aromatherapy treatment that contains essential oils meant to be applied to the wrists and neck.
Research suggests there is a link betweenlow magnesiumlevels and migraines, and taking magnesium supplements can reduce the number of headache days that people with migraine have.
It’s believed that magnesium helps block signals in the brain that lead to migraines. Magnesium seems to be most effective in people who have or have hadaura with their migraine.
Magnesium deficiency is most common in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and in women who are between 18 and 22 years of age.However, other people with migraines may see the benefits of taking extra magnesium even if they don’t have a deficiency.
Among the many health benefits associated with ginger is the fact that it may reduce pain and nausea associated with migraines. Studies have not consistently shown that it is always effective, but several findings do show it may be a good supplement to treatment or an option for people who are unable to take first-line medication.
Findings related to ginger and migraines include the following.
The composition of ginger extracts and supplements varies, so a firm conclusion about how to take ginger effectively for migraines is difficult. More research is needed to confirm these results and determine the appropriate dose.
Multiple studies have shown thatacupuncturecan help prevent migraines.
An analysis of 34 studies involving 3,365 people with migraines showed a consistent advantage of acupuncture as a source of treatment compared toprescription medicationsand other alternative treatments. It concluded that acupuncture was “superior” in its effectiveness.
Another meta-analysis found acupuncture to be aseffective at reducingthe number of migraine days as someprescription medications.In some cases, acupuncture was also shown to be effective at shortening the duration of migraines. However, more research is needed to confirm the results. It’s important to note that you should never stop taking prescribed medication unless you’ve talked to your healthcare provider.
What Pressure Point Relates to Migraines?According to traditional Chinese medicine, the acupuncturist puts pressure on the LI-4 pressure point to treat migraines.This is on the back of the hand between the bottom of the thumb and index finger.
What Pressure Point Relates to Migraines?
According to traditional Chinese medicine, the acupuncturist puts pressure on the LI-4 pressure point to treat migraines.This is on the back of the hand between the bottom of the thumb and index finger.
A review of several studies concluded that massage significantly reduced migraine intensity compared to a control group of migraine patients who didn’t have regular massages.
Specifically, massage has been shown to decrease heart rates, anxiety levels, and salivary cortisol levels, which seems to reduce the severity and frequency of migraines.
Migraines and sleep issuesare closely intertwined. Research has shown that people with migraines do not sleep well compared to other people. In fact,insomnia, an inability to fall asleep or stay asleep, affects 26% of migraine sufferers compared to 16% of the general population.
While getting a healthy night’s sleep seems to prevent migraine attacks, it’s important to balance your nightly sleep since research has also shown that oversleeping can cause migraines, a condition known as “weekend migraine.”
Does Cannabis Help With Migraines?
Biofeedbackis an alternative therapy in which you learn to relax your mind and body to control involuntary physiological activities. These techniques have been shown to be effective in helping to manage migraines as well as anxiety, chronic pain, blood pressure, digestive disorders, and other conditions.
Among the types of biofeedback that have been shown to be effective for migraines is temperature feedback. For this, you may wear sensors that can detect drops in body temperatures, which can trigger migraines. When a sensor goes off, it lets you know you should use biofeedback exercises to prevent the onset of a migraine.
Summary
There are a number of natural treatments and lifestyle adjustments that have been shown to be effective at reducing the frequency, duration, and severity of migraines. Many of these options have little to no side effects and are generally considered safe. However, you should always talk with your healthcare provider before trying a new treatment approach.
30 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hsu YY, Chen CJ, Wu SH, Chen KH.Cold intervention for relieving migraine symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis.J Clin Nurs. 2023;32(11-12):2455-2465. doi:10.1111/jocn.16368Sprouse-Blum AS, Gabriel AK, Brown JP, Yee MH.Randomized controlled trial: targeted neck cooling in the treatment of the migraine patient.Hawaii J Med Public Health. 2013;72(7):237-241.Barber M, Pace A.Exercise and Migraine Prevention: a Review of the Literature.Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2020;24(8):39. Published 2020 Jun 11. doi:10.1007/s11916-020-00868-6American Migraine Foundation.Understanding caffeine headaches.Nowaczewska M, Wiciński M, Kaźmierczak W.The Ambiguous Role of Caffeine in Migraine Headache: From Trigger to Treatment.Nutrients. 2020;12(8):2259. Published 2020 Jul 28. doi:10.3390/nu12082259Harvard Health Publishing.Can dehydration cause headaches?Arca KN, Halker Singh RB.Dehydration and Headache.Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2021;25(8):56. Published 2021 Jul 15. doi:10.1007/s11916-021-00966-zRamsden CE, Zamora D, Faurot KR, et al.Dietary alteration of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids for headache reduction in adults with migraine: randomized controlled trial.BMJ. 2021;374:n1448. doi:10.1136/bmj.n1448Nematgorgani S, Razeghi-Jahromi S, Jafari E, et al.B vitamins and their combination could reduce migraine headaches: A randomized double-blind controlled trial. Curr J Neurol. 2022;21(2):105-118. doi:10.18502/cjn.v21i2.10494National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Butterbur.Diener H, Freitag F, Danesch U.Safety profile of a special butterbur extract from Petasites hybridus in migraine prevention with emphasis on the liver.Cephalalgia Reports. 2018;1:251581631875930. doi:10.1177/2515816318759304.Silberstein SD, Holland S, Freitag F, et al.Evidence-based guideline update: Pharmacologic treatment for episodic migraine prevention in adults: Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Headache Society.Neurology. 2012;78(17):1337–1345. doi:10.1212/WNL.0b013e3182535d20.Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Butterbur.American Migraine Foundation.Obesity is a risk factor for migraine. Learn about the link between the two and how diet, exercise and medication can help.Di Vincenzo A, Beghetto M, Vettor R, et al.Effects of surgical and non-surgical weight loss on migraine headache: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Obes Surg. 2020;30(6):2173-2185. doi:10.1007/s11695-020-04429-zBond DS, Vithiananthan S, Nash JM, Thomas JG, Wing RR.Improvement of migraine headaches in severely obese patients after bariatric surgery.Neurology. 2011;76(13):1135-1138. doi:10.1212/WNL.0b013e318212ab1eRafieian-Kopaei M, Hasanpour-Dehkordi A, Lorigooini Z, Deris F, Solati K, Mahdiyeh F.Comparing the effect of intranasal lidocaine 4% with peppermint essential oil drop 1.5% on migraine attacks: a double-blind clinical trial.Int J Prev Med. 2019;10:121. doi:10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_530_17Murtey P, Noor NM, Ishak A, Idris NS.Essential Oils as an Alternative Treatment for Migraine Headache: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Korean J Fam Med. 2024;45(1):18-26. doi:10.4082/kjfm.23.0106Maier JA, Pickering G, Giacomoni E, Cazzaniga A, Pellegrino P.Headaches and magnesium: mechanisms, bioavailability, therapeutic efficacy and potential advantage of magnesium pidolate.Nutrients. 2020;12(9):2660. doi:10.3390/nu12092660American Migraine Foundation.Magnesium and migraine.Andrade C.Ginger for Migraine.J Clin Psychiatry. 2021;82(6):21f14325. Published 2021 Nov 30. doi:10.4088/JCP.21f14325Maghbooli M, Golipour F, Moghimi Esfandabadi A, Yousefi M.Comparison between the efficacy of ginger and sumatriptan in the ablative treatment of the common migraine.Phytother Res. 2014;28(3):412-415. doi:10.1002/ptr.4996Liu Y, Wang Y, Mi C, et al.Efficacy of Acupuncture-Related Therapy for Migraine: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.J Pain Res. 2024;17:1107-1132. Published 2024 Mar 15. doi:10.2147/JPR.S452971Molsberger A.The role of acupuncture in the treatment of migraine.CMAJ. 2012;184(4):391-392. doi:10.1503/cmaj.112032Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Acupressure for Pain and Headaches.Chaibi A, Russell MB.Manual therapies for primary chronic headaches: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.J Headache Pain. 2014;15(1):67. doi:10.1186/1129-2377-15-67American Massage Therapy Association.Tackling Migraines Head-On.Waliszewska-Prosół M, Nowakowska-Kotas M, Chojdak-Łukasiewicz J, Budrewicz S.Migraine and Sleep-An Unexplained Association?Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(11):5539. Published 2021 May 24. doi:10.3390/ijms22115539Cuttler C, Spradlin A, Cleveland MJ, Craft RM.Short- and long-term effects of cannabis on headache and migraine.J Pain. 2020;21(5-6):722-730. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2019.11.001The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy.Biofeedback Therapy.
30 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hsu YY, Chen CJ, Wu SH, Chen KH.Cold intervention for relieving migraine symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis.J Clin Nurs. 2023;32(11-12):2455-2465. doi:10.1111/jocn.16368Sprouse-Blum AS, Gabriel AK, Brown JP, Yee MH.Randomized controlled trial: targeted neck cooling in the treatment of the migraine patient.Hawaii J Med Public Health. 2013;72(7):237-241.Barber M, Pace A.Exercise and Migraine Prevention: a Review of the Literature.Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2020;24(8):39. Published 2020 Jun 11. doi:10.1007/s11916-020-00868-6American Migraine Foundation.Understanding caffeine headaches.Nowaczewska M, Wiciński M, Kaźmierczak W.The Ambiguous Role of Caffeine in Migraine Headache: From Trigger to Treatment.Nutrients. 2020;12(8):2259. Published 2020 Jul 28. doi:10.3390/nu12082259Harvard Health Publishing.Can dehydration cause headaches?Arca KN, Halker Singh RB.Dehydration and Headache.Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2021;25(8):56. Published 2021 Jul 15. doi:10.1007/s11916-021-00966-zRamsden CE, Zamora D, Faurot KR, et al.Dietary alteration of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids for headache reduction in adults with migraine: randomized controlled trial.BMJ. 2021;374:n1448. doi:10.1136/bmj.n1448Nematgorgani S, Razeghi-Jahromi S, Jafari E, et al.B vitamins and their combination could reduce migraine headaches: A randomized double-blind controlled trial. Curr J Neurol. 2022;21(2):105-118. doi:10.18502/cjn.v21i2.10494National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Butterbur.Diener H, Freitag F, Danesch U.Safety profile of a special butterbur extract from Petasites hybridus in migraine prevention with emphasis on the liver.Cephalalgia Reports. 2018;1:251581631875930. doi:10.1177/2515816318759304.Silberstein SD, Holland S, Freitag F, et al.Evidence-based guideline update: Pharmacologic treatment for episodic migraine prevention in adults: Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Headache Society.Neurology. 2012;78(17):1337–1345. doi:10.1212/WNL.0b013e3182535d20.Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Butterbur.American Migraine Foundation.Obesity is a risk factor for migraine. Learn about the link between the two and how diet, exercise and medication can help.Di Vincenzo A, Beghetto M, Vettor R, et al.Effects of surgical and non-surgical weight loss on migraine headache: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Obes Surg. 2020;30(6):2173-2185. doi:10.1007/s11695-020-04429-zBond DS, Vithiananthan S, Nash JM, Thomas JG, Wing RR.Improvement of migraine headaches in severely obese patients after bariatric surgery.Neurology. 2011;76(13):1135-1138. doi:10.1212/WNL.0b013e318212ab1eRafieian-Kopaei M, Hasanpour-Dehkordi A, Lorigooini Z, Deris F, Solati K, Mahdiyeh F.Comparing the effect of intranasal lidocaine 4% with peppermint essential oil drop 1.5% on migraine attacks: a double-blind clinical trial.Int J Prev Med. 2019;10:121. doi:10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_530_17Murtey P, Noor NM, Ishak A, Idris NS.Essential Oils as an Alternative Treatment for Migraine Headache: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Korean J Fam Med. 2024;45(1):18-26. doi:10.4082/kjfm.23.0106Maier JA, Pickering G, Giacomoni E, Cazzaniga A, Pellegrino P.Headaches and magnesium: mechanisms, bioavailability, therapeutic efficacy and potential advantage of magnesium pidolate.Nutrients. 2020;12(9):2660. doi:10.3390/nu12092660American Migraine Foundation.Magnesium and migraine.Andrade C.Ginger for Migraine.J Clin Psychiatry. 2021;82(6):21f14325. Published 2021 Nov 30. doi:10.4088/JCP.21f14325Maghbooli M, Golipour F, Moghimi Esfandabadi A, Yousefi M.Comparison between the efficacy of ginger and sumatriptan in the ablative treatment of the common migraine.Phytother Res. 2014;28(3):412-415. doi:10.1002/ptr.4996Liu Y, Wang Y, Mi C, et al.Efficacy of Acupuncture-Related Therapy for Migraine: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.J Pain Res. 2024;17:1107-1132. Published 2024 Mar 15. doi:10.2147/JPR.S452971Molsberger A.The role of acupuncture in the treatment of migraine.CMAJ. 2012;184(4):391-392. doi:10.1503/cmaj.112032Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Acupressure for Pain and Headaches.Chaibi A, Russell MB.Manual therapies for primary chronic headaches: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.J Headache Pain. 2014;15(1):67. doi:10.1186/1129-2377-15-67American Massage Therapy Association.Tackling Migraines Head-On.Waliszewska-Prosół M, Nowakowska-Kotas M, Chojdak-Łukasiewicz J, Budrewicz S.Migraine and Sleep-An Unexplained Association?Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(11):5539. Published 2021 May 24. doi:10.3390/ijms22115539Cuttler C, Spradlin A, Cleveland MJ, Craft RM.Short- and long-term effects of cannabis on headache and migraine.J Pain. 2020;21(5-6):722-730. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2019.11.001The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy.Biofeedback Therapy.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Hsu YY, Chen CJ, Wu SH, Chen KH.Cold intervention for relieving migraine symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis.J Clin Nurs. 2023;32(11-12):2455-2465. doi:10.1111/jocn.16368Sprouse-Blum AS, Gabriel AK, Brown JP, Yee MH.Randomized controlled trial: targeted neck cooling in the treatment of the migraine patient.Hawaii J Med Public Health. 2013;72(7):237-241.Barber M, Pace A.Exercise and Migraine Prevention: a Review of the Literature.Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2020;24(8):39. Published 2020 Jun 11. doi:10.1007/s11916-020-00868-6American Migraine Foundation.Understanding caffeine headaches.Nowaczewska M, Wiciński M, Kaźmierczak W.The Ambiguous Role of Caffeine in Migraine Headache: From Trigger to Treatment.Nutrients. 2020;12(8):2259. Published 2020 Jul 28. doi:10.3390/nu12082259Harvard Health Publishing.Can dehydration cause headaches?Arca KN, Halker Singh RB.Dehydration and Headache.Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2021;25(8):56. Published 2021 Jul 15. doi:10.1007/s11916-021-00966-zRamsden CE, Zamora D, Faurot KR, et al.Dietary alteration of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids for headache reduction in adults with migraine: randomized controlled trial.BMJ. 2021;374:n1448. doi:10.1136/bmj.n1448Nematgorgani S, Razeghi-Jahromi S, Jafari E, et al.B vitamins and their combination could reduce migraine headaches: A randomized double-blind controlled trial. Curr J Neurol. 2022;21(2):105-118. doi:10.18502/cjn.v21i2.10494National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Butterbur.Diener H, Freitag F, Danesch U.Safety profile of a special butterbur extract from Petasites hybridus in migraine prevention with emphasis on the liver.Cephalalgia Reports. 2018;1:251581631875930. doi:10.1177/2515816318759304.Silberstein SD, Holland S, Freitag F, et al.Evidence-based guideline update: Pharmacologic treatment for episodic migraine prevention in adults: Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Headache Society.Neurology. 2012;78(17):1337–1345. doi:10.1212/WNL.0b013e3182535d20.Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Butterbur.American Migraine Foundation.Obesity is a risk factor for migraine. Learn about the link between the two and how diet, exercise and medication can help.Di Vincenzo A, Beghetto M, Vettor R, et al.Effects of surgical and non-surgical weight loss on migraine headache: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Obes Surg. 2020;30(6):2173-2185. doi:10.1007/s11695-020-04429-zBond DS, Vithiananthan S, Nash JM, Thomas JG, Wing RR.Improvement of migraine headaches in severely obese patients after bariatric surgery.Neurology. 2011;76(13):1135-1138. doi:10.1212/WNL.0b013e318212ab1eRafieian-Kopaei M, Hasanpour-Dehkordi A, Lorigooini Z, Deris F, Solati K, Mahdiyeh F.Comparing the effect of intranasal lidocaine 4% with peppermint essential oil drop 1.5% on migraine attacks: a double-blind clinical trial.Int J Prev Med. 2019;10:121. doi:10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_530_17Murtey P, Noor NM, Ishak A, Idris NS.Essential Oils as an Alternative Treatment for Migraine Headache: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Korean J Fam Med. 2024;45(1):18-26. doi:10.4082/kjfm.23.0106Maier JA, Pickering G, Giacomoni E, Cazzaniga A, Pellegrino P.Headaches and magnesium: mechanisms, bioavailability, therapeutic efficacy and potential advantage of magnesium pidolate.Nutrients. 2020;12(9):2660. doi:10.3390/nu12092660American Migraine Foundation.Magnesium and migraine.Andrade C.Ginger for Migraine.J Clin Psychiatry. 2021;82(6):21f14325. Published 2021 Nov 30. doi:10.4088/JCP.21f14325Maghbooli M, Golipour F, Moghimi Esfandabadi A, Yousefi M.Comparison between the efficacy of ginger and sumatriptan in the ablative treatment of the common migraine.Phytother Res. 2014;28(3):412-415. doi:10.1002/ptr.4996Liu Y, Wang Y, Mi C, et al.Efficacy of Acupuncture-Related Therapy for Migraine: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.J Pain Res. 2024;17:1107-1132. Published 2024 Mar 15. doi:10.2147/JPR.S452971Molsberger A.The role of acupuncture in the treatment of migraine.CMAJ. 2012;184(4):391-392. doi:10.1503/cmaj.112032Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Acupressure for Pain and Headaches.Chaibi A, Russell MB.Manual therapies for primary chronic headaches: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.J Headache Pain. 2014;15(1):67. doi:10.1186/1129-2377-15-67American Massage Therapy Association.Tackling Migraines Head-On.Waliszewska-Prosół M, Nowakowska-Kotas M, Chojdak-Łukasiewicz J, Budrewicz S.Migraine and Sleep-An Unexplained Association?Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(11):5539. Published 2021 May 24. doi:10.3390/ijms22115539Cuttler C, Spradlin A, Cleveland MJ, Craft RM.Short- and long-term effects of cannabis on headache and migraine.J Pain. 2020;21(5-6):722-730. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2019.11.001The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy.Biofeedback Therapy.
Hsu YY, Chen CJ, Wu SH, Chen KH.Cold intervention for relieving migraine symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis.J Clin Nurs. 2023;32(11-12):2455-2465. doi:10.1111/jocn.16368
Sprouse-Blum AS, Gabriel AK, Brown JP, Yee MH.Randomized controlled trial: targeted neck cooling in the treatment of the migraine patient.Hawaii J Med Public Health. 2013;72(7):237-241.
Barber M, Pace A.Exercise and Migraine Prevention: a Review of the Literature.Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2020;24(8):39. Published 2020 Jun 11. doi:10.1007/s11916-020-00868-6
American Migraine Foundation.Understanding caffeine headaches.
Nowaczewska M, Wiciński M, Kaźmierczak W.The Ambiguous Role of Caffeine in Migraine Headache: From Trigger to Treatment.Nutrients. 2020;12(8):2259. Published 2020 Jul 28. doi:10.3390/nu12082259
Harvard Health Publishing.Can dehydration cause headaches?
Arca KN, Halker Singh RB.Dehydration and Headache.Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2021;25(8):56. Published 2021 Jul 15. doi:10.1007/s11916-021-00966-z
Ramsden CE, Zamora D, Faurot KR, et al.Dietary alteration of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids for headache reduction in adults with migraine: randomized controlled trial.BMJ. 2021;374:n1448. doi:10.1136/bmj.n1448
Nematgorgani S, Razeghi-Jahromi S, Jafari E, et al.B vitamins and their combination could reduce migraine headaches: A randomized double-blind controlled trial. Curr J Neurol. 2022;21(2):105-118. doi:10.18502/cjn.v21i2.10494
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Butterbur.
Diener H, Freitag F, Danesch U.Safety profile of a special butterbur extract from Petasites hybridus in migraine prevention with emphasis on the liver.Cephalalgia Reports. 2018;1:251581631875930. doi:10.1177/2515816318759304.
Silberstein SD, Holland S, Freitag F, et al.Evidence-based guideline update: Pharmacologic treatment for episodic migraine prevention in adults: Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Headache Society.Neurology. 2012;78(17):1337–1345. doi:10.1212/WNL.0b013e3182535d20.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Butterbur.
American Migraine Foundation.Obesity is a risk factor for migraine. Learn about the link between the two and how diet, exercise and medication can help.
Di Vincenzo A, Beghetto M, Vettor R, et al.Effects of surgical and non-surgical weight loss on migraine headache: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Obes Surg. 2020;30(6):2173-2185. doi:10.1007/s11695-020-04429-z
Bond DS, Vithiananthan S, Nash JM, Thomas JG, Wing RR.Improvement of migraine headaches in severely obese patients after bariatric surgery.Neurology. 2011;76(13):1135-1138. doi:10.1212/WNL.0b013e318212ab1e
Rafieian-Kopaei M, Hasanpour-Dehkordi A, Lorigooini Z, Deris F, Solati K, Mahdiyeh F.Comparing the effect of intranasal lidocaine 4% with peppermint essential oil drop 1.5% on migraine attacks: a double-blind clinical trial.Int J Prev Med. 2019;10:121. doi:10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_530_17
Murtey P, Noor NM, Ishak A, Idris NS.Essential Oils as an Alternative Treatment for Migraine Headache: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Korean J Fam Med. 2024;45(1):18-26. doi:10.4082/kjfm.23.0106
Maier JA, Pickering G, Giacomoni E, Cazzaniga A, Pellegrino P.Headaches and magnesium: mechanisms, bioavailability, therapeutic efficacy and potential advantage of magnesium pidolate.Nutrients. 2020;12(9):2660. doi:10.3390/nu12092660
American Migraine Foundation.Magnesium and migraine.
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