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Other Headaches Alternative Treatment UK: Exploring Two Natural Approaches for Migraines

This article discusses two alternative treatment methods for relieving migraine symptoms. Migraine is a common form of severe headache. It has a strong negative impact on the lives of people suffering from it. Every day, around 190.000 people in the UK have a migraine attack and most are unable to function properly at that time. In women, it is three times more common than in men. If you have migraine, you should see your GP with it. A migraine attack is very painful and always inconvenient. If the attacks occur regularly, it affects work performance and also leads to problems maintaining social contacts. Even practising sport is sometimes affected. This level of disruption contributes to a lower quality of life for migraine sufferers, often leading to a higher headache disability index.

In this article, you will find two alternative methods to reduce migraines, namely: diet and regular use of the infrared sauna. These methods are gaining popularity as part of a holistic approach to migraine management plans, and can be considered alongside other treatments for a more comprehensive strategy, especially when conventional medications do not provide sufficient pain relief. These alternative methods can provide relief by helping to alleviate migraine symptoms and reduce their intensity. This article also explores how infrared sauna therapy and nutritional changes may reduce headache pain intensity and improve immune system response. Consistent use of these alternative treatments may offer long term benefits, such as reduced migraine severity and frequency over time

Introduction to Migraines

Migraines are more than just headaches — they are a complex neurological disorder marked by recurring episodes of intense headache pain, often accompanied by sensitivity to light, sound, and sometimes nausea. These debilitating episodes can disrupt daily routines, work, and relationships, making it essential for sufferers to find effective relief. Infrared saunas have gained attention as a promising natural option for migraine relief. By incorporating infrared sauna therapy into a migraine management plan, individuals may experience reduced muscle tension, improved circulation, and enhanced overall well-being. This holistic approach not only targets migraine symptoms but also supports relaxation and long-term wellness, making it a valuable addition for those seeking to manage migraines naturally.

Characteristics of migraine

A person who has a migraine attack feels sick for several hours to several days. Besides severe headache, nausea and vomiting are also common. The headache is usually on one side of the head and is experienced as throbbing or throbbing. Pain on both sides of the head also occurs and sometimes, in unilateral headaches, the pain may switch sides during an attack. The affected area is typically the region of the head or muscles experiencing pain or tension during a migraine attack. Often a person is hypersensitive to light, sound or smell during an attack. In some cases, visual disturbances and muscle tension can exacerbate migraine symptoms, increasing headache intensity and overall headache pain. These migraine symptoms often mirror those seen in other headaches, though migraine attacks tend to be more disabling.

Causes of migraine

Migraines are caused by the contraction and dilation of blood vessels in your head. Substances in your brain that transmit nerve impulses (neurotransmitters) probably play an important role. Why some people have more frequent or more frequent symptoms than others is not clear. Frequency and severity of migraine attacks may be linked to individual health factors, stress levels, and nutritional deficiencies.

There are several common triggers that can provoke a migraine attack, and these can vary for each person. The most common factors in men and women are:

  • Tension and stress.
  • The transition from stress to relaxation.
  • Chronic stress may increase the frequency and severity of migraine attacks, highlighting the need to reduce stress through relaxation techniques.
  • Certain substances in food:
  • Flavour enhancers (in Chinese food and ready-to-eat dishes).
  • Sulphite (in wine).
  • Nitrate (in celery, endive, spinach, lettuce, fennel, pointed cabbage, Chinese cabbage and beetroot).
  • Artificial sweetener (aspartame).
  • Women have triggering factors related to female hormones, such as:
  • The period around menstruation.
  • Use of the pill or hormonal contraception.
  • Menopause.

Understanding Migraine Triggers

Migraine triggers are highly individual, but some of the most common include stress, hormonal fluctuations, poor circulation, and certain foods. Recognizing and understanding these triggers is a crucial step in developing an effective migraine management plan. Infrared sauna therapy can help address several of these triggers, particularly stress and poor circulation, by promoting deep relaxation and enhancing blood flow throughout the body. Regular sauna sessions can also help reduce inflammation, which is known to exacerbate migraine symptoms and increase the frequency and severity of migraine attacks. By identifying personal triggers and incorporating supportive therapies like infrared sauna, migraine sufferers can take proactive steps to reduce the impact of migraines on their lives.

Frequency and Severity of Migraines

The frequency and severity of migraines can vary widely from person to person. While some individuals may only experience occasional mild migraines, others endure chronic migraines that significantly diminish their quality of life. Infrared sauna therapy has shown promise in helping to reduce both the frequency and severity of migraines for some sufferers. By making regular sauna sessions part of their routine, individuals may notice improvements in sleep quality, reduced stress levels, and a greater sense of overall well-being. For those living with chronic migraines, integrating infrared sauna therapy into a comprehensive migraine management plan can be a valuable step toward regaining control and improving daily life.

 

Alternative method 1: diet and migraines

Nutrition can have a big impact on migraines, wrong diet but also deficiencies of vitamins and minerals.

  • Ensure adequate Magnesium, it improves stress resistance
  • Beetroot and melon juice provides vasodilation
  • Vitamin B2 and B6. In a large proportion of migraineurs, homocysteine seems to be
    homocysteine to be a cause. In this case, the liver has a problem converting B vitamins to the active (usable) form.
  • Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, balancing these fatty acids has very many positive effects on reducing migraine attacks.
  • Healthy gut flora through probiotics, A pilot study done by Gelderse Vallei Hospital and Wageningen University in 2012 showed that intake of 2 grams of probiotics per day reduced migraine attacks and severity. Possibly because the probiotics reduced the symptoms of a ‘leaky gut’. A ‘leaky gut’ often seems to play a role in migraine patients.
  • Too many acid-forming foods like sugar, coffee, cheese, meat and cold cuts, peanuts, soya.
  • Nuts, seeds, kernels, vegetables and fruits are healthy to eat though with a supplement of vitamin C in addition
  • Hypoglycaemia, the rapid rise and then fall of blood sugar levels also appears to be a triggering factor in many migraineurs. This is because the rapid rise and fall is accompanied by the production of stress hormones that can lead to alternating tightening and relaxing of the vessels. This is a common cause of migraine attacks.
  • Hormonal problems are a major trigger of migraines. The two main routes to restoring hormonal balance are:
    - Rebalancing the Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids
    - Solving blood sugar problems, optimising gut and liver functions, stress regulation.
  • Stress hormones or thyroid problems (then one often gets migraines with severe fatigue) can also be a major trigger.
  • Allergic factors / intolerance to foods.
  • Almost all patients are sensitive to foods that trigger an attack, so to speak. The biggest ‘triggers’ are:
    - Chocolate
    - (old) cheese
    - The E numbers E248, 249, E220 - E228
    - Monosodium Glutamate or MSG, called Ve-tsin or E621. If you know of yourself that E621 is a trigger you could drink tea made from Ginkgo leaf very regularly.
  • Regular paracetamol (or another painkiller) can trigger new attacks.

This is because liver detoxification is severely tested. There is now also a natural form of ‘paracetamol’: Pea Pure. This remedy can be ordered on the internet. When an attack is imminent, crumble the tablets and let them melt under your tongue.Unfortunately, like other painkillers, it does not work for everyone. - An adequate amount of the substance Q10 has the effect of reducing the number of attacks in a large proportion of migraine sufferers.
Our body's Q10 production decreases as we age and our diet is not very rich in Q10. The sources with the most Q10 are organ meats, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, red palm oil, egg, spinach, avocado. - Ginger powder, as well as Sumatriptan, can dock an attack (1).
In some people, headache or migraine attacks are intensified by such migraine inhibitors. In a study of 100 migraine patients, ginger powder was found to give as good and fast relief as Sumatriptan. And then with no side effects. - Heavy metal load can also be a cause of migraine attacks.
The important thing is to detoxify in doses with spirulina or chlorella.

  • Exercise at least 1 hour a day
  • Drink plenty of water possibly supplemented with electrolytes
  • Go detoxing in the infrared sauna once a week. Make sure you are not constipated before entering the sauna. Detoxing releases waste products and heavy metals, partly from the skin but also through faeces and urine.

Alternative method 2: Infrared sauna and migraines

Infrared sauna use can certainly help reduce migraine attacks, but so can diet and supplements, stress management and hormone balance. Infrared sauna is preferable to Finnish sauna as it draws the waste deeper into the body and drains it away. In an infrared sauna, you can relax, let go of everything and put your mind at zero. After about 20 minutes, your muscles will relax completely. Due to the improved blood flow, waste products are drained faster and can give your migraine relief. Infrared sauna therapy delivers deep penetrating heat to the body directly, enhancing blood circulation and providing pain relief for people suffering from migraines and chronic tension type headaches. This effect is achieved through infrared light, which penetrates deep into tissues, promoting vasodilation, detoxification, and pain relief.

Unlike finnish saunas, infrared saunas operate at lower temperatures and are often more suitable for those who need shorter sessions or regular sauna bathing as part of their wellness goals. Many infrared saunas also allow users to adjust heat levels, which enhances safety and comfort, especially for individuals with sensitive skin or conditions like rosacea.

Infrared therapy and heat therapy are considered effective complementary approaches to managing migraine pain, improving sleep quality, and supporting overall well-being. Improved sleep is a key health benefit reported by many users of infrared sauna therapy.

A clinical study conducted at a headache clinic, specifically Wellington Pain, evaluated the effectiveness of sauna bathing for tension headaches. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: an intervention group that received regular sauna bathing in addition to the same advice given to the control group, which did not receive sauna sessions. Headache pain intensity was measured using a numerical pain rating scale, and results showed that the intervention group experienced significantly lower headache pain intensity compared to the control group.

It is important that you buy an infrared sauna that has a good detox function. This is very important if you want to use it to relieve migraine symptoms. This is because not all infrared saunas have a good detox function. If you have any questions about this, we at SuperSauna are happy to help. Visit one of our shops or give us a call.

Before starting any new treatment, including sauna therapy or dietary changes, consult a qualified healthcare provider to tailor your migraine management plan to your individual needs.