Chinese herbal medicine has thousands of scientific studies and research to support its use for many diseases including migraines.
Chinese herbs are usually prescribed by the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) physician after thorough pattern discrimination and diagnosis determining the cause of the migraine headaches has been made. Then, a “formula” or combination of herbs is given to the migraine patient that addresses the cause and the symptoms of their migraine headaches.
Some states, such as Florida, Arizona, Texas and California license doctors of Traditional Chinese Medicine who practice Chinese herbal medicine as primary care providers, although they do not have a DEA license to prescribe medications.
Patients with migraine have been able to learn to direct blood flow into their hands and other regions of the body during a migraine attack. This is significant because cold hands are a frequent symptom of migraine headache. Significant studies have not yet been conducted, but migraine patients who have tried biofeedback have reported a lessening in their migraine symptoms.
Tretment studies compared the treatment of migraine by hypnosis and auto-hypnosis with the treatment of migraine by the drug prochlorperazine. The results showed that the frequency and duration of the migraine headaches were significantly lower in the hypnotherapy group than the group receiving prochlorperazine. The hypnotherapy group also required less medication. It is concluded that further trials of hypnotherapy are needed to establish the mechanism of action and the most effective treatment methods for migraine headaches.
Other studies show similar findings, however hypnosis only surpassed the effectiveness of the medications after a 6 month treatment period. After 1 year, some patients were migraine-free for 3 or more months.
Hypnosis is a technique performed by psychotherapists, usually to treat post-traumatic stress symptoms such as anxiety and phobias, or to assist a patient in breaking a negative or addictive habit, such as smoking.
Bill Frost, C.H.T. 2010, Migraine (Online) http://www.changingstates.co.uk/issues/migraine.html, accessed 03-16.2010
Hypnotherapy has also been shown to be effective in the treatment of anxiety, depression and phobias.
Hypnotherapy can be used be treat migraine headaches and some studies have shown that hypnosis can be as effective as medication in treating migraine headaches.
Mark Foley, D.O. 2010 Headaches and Migraine (Online) http://headaches.about.com/b/2010/01/14/migraines-and-depression-linked.htm, accessed 03.16.2010
Fasmer, Ole Bernt, M.D., et al. 2005 Are Migraines and Bipolar Disorder Related? Psychiatric Times. Vol. 19 No. 8., accessed 03.16.2010
Seymour Diamond, M.D. 2009 (Online) http://www.headaches.org/education/HeadacheTopicSheets/DepressionandHeadache,accessed 03.16.2010
Peterlin, Lee, D.O. 2009 Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Migraine Headache. Volume 49 Issue, accessed 03.16.2010
Baxter Bell, M.D., R.Y.T. 2010 Postures for Migraine Headaches (Online) http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/974; accessed 03.16.10
Yoga classes vary in intensity, according to the style of yoga. One style of yoga that targets relaxation rather than exercise and fitness is called "restorative yoga." Resorative yoga places the body in poses that increase the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) while eliminating most sensory stimulation by gently covering the eyes, purifying or ionizing the air, playing soft or no music, and leaving the perfumes and body sprays at home. This combination can work beautifully for migraine sufferers who may experience multi-sensory hyper-sensitivity during a migraine, which can lead to intensification of the pain.
If you choose to also practice a more active form of yoga for fitness or enjoyment, your yoga classes can be of any intensity that you desire, with a conscious effort to remain steady, breathing deeply and evenly, while spending time gradually increasing the intensity and then gradually cooling down during the course of a given class.
Specifically, Viparita Karani (Legs-up-the-Wall Pose) has been found to stop the onset of a migraine.
This pose is performed by placing a thickly folded blanket against the wall, so as to elevate the hips and pelvis, and increase circulation of blood to the heart and abdominal cavity. The student moves the buttocks close to the wall, extends the legs straight and upwards, and "lets go" of the tension in the legs by shifting the weight to the wall for support. The arms are resting at the sides, with the palm open, which facilitates deep, easy and natural respiration, a further aid to relaxing the migraine sufferer's nervous system. The eyes are gently covered by an eye pillow, soft or no music is played, and the student remains in the pose for 10 to 20 minutes.
(Some yoga students observe that when on the brink of a migraine headache, many positions that put the head below the level of her heart is likely to trigger or accelerate it, as this can suddenly increase blood flow to the head. Therefore, not all poses should be considered beneficial in the treatment of migraines.)
With this principle in mind, if you have had a recent migraine headache or feel one coming on, a restorative practice that includes "Legs-up-the-Wall" pose may stop or delay the onset of the migraine, and may reduce their overall intensity. Eliminate any poses where the head is below the heart, including Uttanasana (Forward Bend), Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog Pose), Chakrasana (Backbend) and possibly even Balasana (Child's Pose). Breathwork, or pranayama, which emphasizes a full diaphragmatic inhalation and exhalation pattern, with all air exchange coming through the nostrils will also help to establish relaxation of body and mind through regulating and calming the nervous system.
Dr. Baxter Bell, M.D., a certified yoga teacher and physician in Northern California says that "For a migraine sufferer, there is then a sudden shift in the blood vessels and they abruptly dilate, increasing the blood flow to the head. This sudden shift results in the intense pain of the migraine episode." Therefore prevention of migraines, from the perspective of yoga, aims to maintain relaxation in the nervous system on a daily basis, thus reducing the likelihood of the initial narrowing of the blood vessels that predisposes someone to a migraine.
One of the modern theories of why migraines occur states that the blood vessels that supply the brain temporarily become narrow due to a variety of factors; stress and muscular tension among them. Yoga can assist in the treatment or prevention of a migraine by placing the body in positions to expand these blood vessels.
Some yoga experts have found that a hatha yoga practice, or the practice of yoga exercises called "asanas," can assist in reducing the frequency and intensity of migraine headaches.
Acupressure can be administered by a physician such as an acupuncturist or Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner, a massage therapist with knowledge of acupressure, or you can do it yourself.
Below are a few acupuncture points you can stimulate yourself for migraine relief.
(* Caution: This point should not be used by pregnant women.)
Migraine headaches are caused by muscular and vascular tension. Many self-help acupressure techniques can be useful in providing relief without assistance from a professional. Below are a set of acupressure points and a method for you to stimulate them.
There are specific acupressure points that must be stimulated to achieve a great deal of relief from a migraine headache. Each of the points has a unique coordinate which you must locate on your body and then stimulate, typically using one or both of your thumbs.
1) Baxter Bell, M.D., R.Y.T. 2010 Postures for Migraine Headaches (Online) http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/974
2) Alternative Medicine, Burton Goldberg, 2002
James Sensenig, MD. 2001. Migraine Study (Online) http://www.foreverwell.com/study.html.
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Magnum. 2003-2006.
Non-drug Alternatives to Preventative Treatment of Migraines (Online)
http://www.migraines.org/treatment/treatctm.htm accessed 03.01.2010
The actions of Chinese herbs will not be as immediate, direct or usually as specific as medications. The following are some of the medicinal properties of the most commonly prescribed herbal medicine combinations that are used to treat migraine headache in Chinese herbal medicine formula. For a migraine sufferer with severe pain, a frequency of 2 or more times per month, audio-visual disturbances, sleep disturbances, and possible renal or primary hypertension:
The medicinal actions of herbs are very similar to the medical approach, however there are fewer side-effects associated with the use of Chinese herbal medicine. When trying Chinese herbal medicine, it is important to establish a relationship between your Chinese herbal medicine and primary care providers. Chinese herbal medicines are very targeted and potent and can make your migraine medications more active and work better by increasing their potency in your body. Therefore, they should only be taken under medical supervision with careful observation and appropriate adjustment of medication dosages as determined by your health care provider.
