For some of us, we experience headaches periodically. For others, migraines are a frequent and almost daily struggle, with little to no relief. The dull, aching pain is often followed by other debilitating symptoms, including nausea and/or vomiting, inability to sleep/chronic fatigue, sensitivity to loud noises and light, lack of concentration, muscular tension, and mood changes. Without proper intervention and treatment, headaches can interfere with activities of daily living.
Migraines can be brought on by potential food sensitivities, hormonal imbalances, emotional triggers, neurological conditions, medication, and several other reasons. It is important to discuss your symptoms with your Naturopathic Doctor to ensure that the proper testing is implemented to rule out an accurate diagnosis.
Can you overcome a migraine naturally? The answer is yes! Where to begin? See below:
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Sleep:
Too much or too little sleep can increase your chances of getting a headache. It is imperative for your body to receive adequate amounts of rest. The average number of hours a person should sleep a night are between 7 and 9 hours.
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Water Intake:
It is important to remember that our bodies require hydration! Sufficient water intake ensures that our bodily functions are being maintained and regulated. To ensure that you are drinking a healthy amount of water, follow this simple formula: Your weight in kilograms X 35 millilitres = Amount of water to consume daily (This amount is in millilitres. You may convert this number to litres).
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Stress:
Stressful situations have the ability to cause us emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical distress, and can trigger a headache or even exacerbate one almost immediately. Our recommendation: invest your time and energy into doing the things that you enjoy to prevent yourself from feeling overwhelmed. Yoga, meditation, and nature walks are our go to recommendations for stress relief!
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Electronics:
Prolonged use of electronics, including watching TV, using the computer, and using our cellphones can contribute to vision disorders and migraines. Don’t invest extra time into electronic use if it is not necessary.
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Essential Oil:
One of our most favourite essential oils we prescribe to our patients is peppermint essential oil. Peppermint essential oil has the healing ability to ease pain and relax muscles. When a headache comes on, we suggest rubbing peppermint essential oil on your temples, around your nostrils, at the back of your neck, and on the backside of your wrists while performing breathing exercises.
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Magnesium Bisglycinate:
Our number one go to supplement for headache prevention and headache relief is Magnesium Bisglycinate. If there is too little Magnesium in the body, this can attribute to frequent headaches. Taking a Magnesium supplement will assist with proper contraction and relaxation of your muscles. On average, we recommend 400 mg just before bed!
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Bloodwork and Diagnostic Imaging:
Testing is vital in order to ensure that your organs are functioning normally, and to rule out any disease or abnormal condition that may be a causative factor for migraines.
For more information on Naturopathic Headache Care, contact our clinic by phone at 905-804-1238 or by email at [email protected] to connect with one of our Naturopathic Doctors!