Migraine is a debilitating neurological disease, and while most people with migraine experience a few attacks per month, 2 percent of people have chronic migraine and live with pain and symptoms of an attack more than 15 days per month.
While migraine medications can be an effective treatment option, they aren’t always enough or right for every person. Below are some medication-free strategies to help you manage migraine.
A balanced lifestyle
Maintaining a balanced lifestyle plays an important role in migraine management, and can lead to fewer migraine days and shorter attacks. This includes consistent and restful sleep, a varied diet, good hydration, moving daily, and spending time outdoors.
Biofeedback and mindfulness
Biofeedback is a helpful, non-drug technique during which you learn how to recognize and reduce tension in your body with the help of a trained professional. Once biofeedback is learned, you can use this skill to help prevent or reduce migraine attacks.
Mindfulness is a skill that can be learned from one of many online resources or apps, or you can be trained in mindfulness. Practicing mindfulness reduces the stress response and is effective in managing migraine.
Nutraceuticals and vitamins
Many vitamins and minerals are known to be safe and effective in helping manage migraine. It’s important to work with your healthcare provider to determine which supplements are right for you based on your medical history.
Tracking your migraine
Keeping a migraine diary can identify patterns in your lifestyle and environment to help understand what may be triggering or aggravating your symptoms. Identifying these patterns can help you adjust those behaviors, and tracking information, such as your sleep routine, hydration, caffeine intake, diet, and stressors, may help you identify modifiable triggers.
If you live with chronic migraine, you are not alone. Many options are available to reduce migraine’s impact. Work with your doctor to find the best treatment plan for you.
