A randomized controlled study found that 20 sessions of manual acupuncture along with usual care was more effective at preventing migraine in people with a history of episodic migraine without aura than sham acupuncture along with usual care.

Sham acupuncture is a treatment where the needles are not inserted as deeply. A review of 22 studies also found moderate evidence that acupuncture may reduce headache symptoms.

In the results summary, the authors explain that if people had 6 days of migraine per month before treatment, it would be expected that they would have:. Feverfew is a flowering herb that looks like a daisy.

In a review of studies , which is an update of a previous study, the authors concluded that larger studies are needed to support the use of feverfew for treating migraine. The authors note that one larger study published since the review found 0.

They describe previous studies as low quality or providing mixed evidence. A randomized controlled study compared the effects of nasal 4 percent lidocaine with 1. The researchers found that 40 percent of people in the lidocaine and peppermint oil groups experienced considerable improvements in their symptoms, compared with only 4.

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health notes that very little research has examined peppermint leaf, but a limited amount of evidence suggests topical peppermint oil may benefit tension headaches.

Ginger is known to ease nausea caused by many conditions, including migraine. It may have pain-relieving benefits for migraine attacks. According to a review of studies , one randomized controlled study found evidence that ginger may have beneficial activity.

More research is needed to understand the extent and usefulness of ginger for treating migraine-related pain. Yoga uses breathing, meditation, and body postures to promote health and well-being.

A study found yoga may relieve the frequency, duration, and intensity of migraine attacks. The researchers concluded that yoga could be beneficial as a complementary therapy for treating migraine.

Biofeedback is a relaxation method. It teaches you to control autonomic reactions to stress. During this therapy, electrodes are applied to your skin to monitor physiologic processes that change with stress, such as your heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension.

During a biofeedback session, you work with a therapist to manage stress using changes in your physiologic processes as feedback. These therapies are effectively free of side effects and may make a good alternative for medication for some people. Magnesium deficiency is linked to headaches and migraine.

Magnesium oxide supplementation may help prevent migraine with aura. It may also prevent menstrual migraine hormone headaches.

A study found that milligrams of magnesium oxide taken twice a day for 8 weeks was as effective as the medication valproate sodium for preventing migraine without significant side effects.

Massage may reduce migraine frequency. Migraine is associated with low serotonin in the brain, and massage has been shown to increase serotonin. Acupressure is the practice of applying pressure with the fingers and hands to specific points on the body to relieve pain and other symptoms.

According to the American Headache Society , more than 80 percent of people with migraine report stress being a migraine trigger. Learning how to better manage your stress may help you decrease migraine frequency.

According to the American Migraine Foundation , about a third of people with migraine report dehydration as a migraine trigger. To prevent dehydration , make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially when exercising.

On hot days, you may need to drink more water than usual. Research from has found a correlation between high migraine frequency and poor sleep quality. This association is true in people with migraine with and without aura.

Going to bed at the same time each night, avoiding caffeine late in the day, and avoiding stimulating activities before bed are some of the ways you can improve your sleep. Butterbur is a plant that grows throughout Europe, Asia, and North America.

Up until , the American Academy of Neurology recommended using it for preventing migraine attacks. In , they stopped their recommendation due to the possibility of liver toxicity. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health recommends only using pyrrolizidine alkaloid-free butterbur products, as this chemical can damage the liver, lungs, and circulation.

Speak with a doctor before taking butterbur. If you have migraine, you know the symptoms can be challenging. You might miss work or not be able to participate in activities you love. But the remedies above may provide some relief. Our free app, Migraine Healthline, connects you with real people who experience migraine.

Ask treatment-related questions and seek advice from others who get it. Download the app for iPhone or Android. Visit a doctor if your symptoms are severe, frequent, or interfere with your daily life.

We encourage our readers to share their unique experiences to create a helpful and informative community here on Healthline. Our editors will also review every comment before publishing, ensuring our high level of medical integrity. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

VIEW ALL HISTORY. Some research suggests chiropractic treatments may reduce symptoms of migraine headaches. Here we dive into how it works and whether you should try it. Try these strategies that can help treat migraine pain early and prevent it from getting worse — or even help prevent migraine altogether.

Migraine can be painful. You may be looking for natural remedies. Learn about herbal remedies for migraines. Abortive medications help stop the symptoms of a migraine attack. Studies on scoliosis and headaches are limited, but migraine episodes are commonly reported by those with scoliosis.

Let's look deeper:. The studies we have are newer and somewhat limited, but dry needling may be able to bring relief to those with migraine headaches. Let's look deeper…. In males, stress, physical activity, and lack of sleep seem to be among the most common triggers. In , the FDA approved Botox as a treatment for chronic migraine.

Get more information about how Botox is used to treat migraine. Emotional stress, specific foods, and alcohol consumption are some factors that could trigger a migraine episode.

Caffeine is also found in many over-the-counter pain relievers today. A study found that a combination of 1, milligrams mg of acetaminophen and mg of caffeine is particularly helpful. However, caffeine withdrawal and caffeine intake can also be triggers for headaches and migraines.

Valerian is native to Europe and Asia. Use of valerian traces back to ancient Greece and Rome from the time of Hippocrates. It was recognized as a remedy for insomnia a few centuries later. These included:. Valerian is usually taken as a supplement, tea, or tincture made from the dried roots.

Liquid extract is also available in capsule form. Valerian root capsules are widely sold in the United States. Coriander was lauded for its ability to treat ailments that ranged from allergies to diabetes to migraines.

Traditional Ayurvedic medicine used coriander to relieve sinus pressure and headaches by pouring hot water over the fresh seeds and inhaling the steam. Hailing from the same family as carrots, parsley, and celery, dong quai root has been used as a spice, tonic, and medicinal cream for more than 1, years, especially in Japanese, Chinese, and Korean practices.

Modern uses often mix it with other herbs to treat:. Known for its sweet smell, lavender oil made from the flowers of the lavender plant is highly fragrant and has long been used to perfume hygiene products.

Lavender is indigenous to the mountainous regions surrounding the Mediterranean. Lavender oil was used in ancient Egypt during the mummification process. Because of its antimicrobial properties and clean scent, it was later added to baths in Rome, Greece, and Persia.

The aromatic flowers and their oil were used to treat everything from headaches and insomnia to mental health complaints such as stress and fatigue. Many of these historical uses remain popular today. A study suggests that inhaling lavender oil during a migraine may help relieve symptoms quickly.

To use lavender oil, breathe in the oil or apply a diluted solution to the temples. Lavender oil can be toxic when taken orally at certain doses. Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean region. Medicinal uses have included the treatment of:.

Rosemary oil can be diluted and applied topically or inhaled for aromatherapeutic purposes. It can also be used in teas, tinctures, and liquid extracts. Rosemary is believed to have antimicrobial, antispasmodic, and antioxidant effects.

Linden, also known as lime tree or Tilia , is a tree whose blossoms have been used in medicinal teas in European and Native American cultures. The plant has been used to calm nerves and ease anxiety, tension, and inflammatory problems, among other issues.

The blossoms can also be used in tinctures, liquid extracts, and capsules. Linden has been shown to have sweat-inducing and sedative properties.

The flowers have also been used to relieve nasal congestion and lower high blood pressure. This tea is sometimes used in modern alternative medicine for the treatment of headaches and migraines.

The potato has been used in European folk medicine for over years. Country folk medicine has anecdotally supported the use of thick slices of raw potato in calming migraine pain. Traditionally, the slices are cloaked in a thin cloth and wrapped around the head or rubbed directly on the temples to ease tension and pain.

There is no current scientific research suggesting that raw potato cuttings can effectively treat migraines when applied topically. Native to Europe, horseradish has been used in medicinal folk remedies as an oil extract or in dried or fresh root form.

It has historically been used to treat:. Its ability to narrow blood vessels may aid in treating migraines, but no clinical trials support the use of horseradish for migraines. Native to Asia, the Japanese honeysuckle started taking root in North America in the s.

It may also be effective against migraine pain. Since ancient times, people in Europe and Asia have been using mullein for medicinal purposes, treating inflammatory conditions, spasms, diarrhea, and migraines.

The leaves and flowers can be used for extracts, capsules, poultices, and dried preparations. Tinctures of the plant are used in modern homeopathic therapies for migraine treatment.

Research has shown that mullein has diuretic properties. Believed to be named after Achilles, the Greek mythical hero, yarrow has historically been used to heal wounds and slow blood loss.

Other folk remedies encourage the use of yarrow to treat inflammatory conditions, muscle spasms, and anxiety or insomnia. More recent folk remedies have used yarrow to relieve colds, flus, coughs, and diarrhea.

Yarrow has also been shown to have pain-relieving, anti-anxiety, and antimicrobial properties. Although more research is needed, the plant contains anti-inflammatory properties that may provide relief to people who experience migraines. Yarrow can be used in a variety of forms, including capsules and tinctures.

Teaberry, popularly known as wintergreen, is native to eastern North America. This edible plant, made famous by Teaberry gum, has long held a place in folk medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties.

It can be used to make teas, tinctures, and oil extracts. Teaberry also has been used historically as an astringent and as a stimulant to fight fatigue.

You can brew teaberry in hot water for 3 to 4 minutes and drink the mixture to experience its healing effects. Hops are native to Europe and western Asia and can now be found throughout North America.

Once used as a food in ancient Roman culture, this flavorful plant also has significant medicinal properties. Hops have historically been used to treat:. This perennial herb can be found throughout Europe and Asia. The plant has traditionally been used to relieve headaches and facial swelling and pain.

The leaves can be used as a juice, poultice, or ointment. The mildly sedative properties of the plant are used to treat headache and migraine pain, menstrual cramps, stress, and tension.

It may help alleviate sinus headaches and congestion when used in combination with lime flowers and comfrey. This deciduous tree is a native to China and has been used in Chinese medicine since the first century A.

Evodia has traditionally been used to treat abdominal pain, headaches, diarrhea, and vomiting. The fruits of the tree may also reduce blood pressure. The anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing properties of the fruit may help ease migraine pain. Although many herbal remedies can be safe when used correctly, they may also have side effects like any prescription medication would.

Some herbs can interact with medications, such as oral contraceptives or heart drugs. Herbs can be dangerous or even deadly when misused.

Some have little research to back claims, verify toxicity levels, or identify potential side effects. This is the most common kind of migraine headache. It builds over several hours before the pain of your migraine peaks, usually lasting up to 72 hours. People who have these kinds of migraines tend to experience them a few times per year.

If they occur more often than that, the condition may be diagnosed as chronic migraine. Some people experience disturbances of the nervous system, called aura, during their migraines.

Auras can include bright spots in the field of vision, tingling sensations, vision loss, hallucinated odors, and uncontrolled movements. Retinal migraines involve vision loss in one eye. Unlike migraines with aura, the visual disturbances are usually contained to that eye.

Chronic migraine is defined as having migraines that occur on more than 15 days per month for 3 months or more. This frequency can be debilitating. Medical evaluation is required to obtain a treatment plan and to identify if something else is causing the migraines to occur so often. Certain behaviors, emotions, hormones, and foods can trigger a migraine.

Caffeine or chemical withdrawal can cause migraines, for example. Chocolate, food dyes and additives, preservatives, aspartame, and cured meats are the most common dietary triggers for migraines, according to the American Nutrition Association.

Food allergies and sensitivities can also activate migraines as a symptom. A high-stress, competitive lifestyle can sometimes lead to recurrent migraines. Emotional stress from chemicals released during emotional situations can provoke a migraine. Hormones are also a notorious migraine trigger.

For women, the menstrual cycle is often connected to when their migraines occur. You may want to consider if there are migraine patterns or triggers that you can identify before you decide to try an herbal treatment. In addition to herbal treatments, significant research shows that diet can play a major role in migraine frequency, duration, and intensity.

Potential preventive measures and treatments for migraines include:. Just like medications, herbs can have significant side effects on the body. Some can interact with other medicines and be dangerous or even deadly when misused.

Discuss all treatment options with your doctor before use. Consider tracking your triggers, symptoms, pain intensity and duration, and other related factors in a migraine journal or migraine app.

Whether you choose pharmaceutical treatments, natural remedies , or a combination, having a thorough record of your experiences will help you and your doctor narrow down the best treatment options.

It might also be helpful to talk to others about their own experiences with migraines. Our free app, Migraine Healthline, connects you with real people who experience migraines.

Ask treatment-related questions and seek advice from others who get it. Download the app for iPhone or Android. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Learn how to tell the difference between episodic migraine and chronic migraine. If you get migraines, you want pain relief that works. Learn what you need to know about how Excedrin Migraine works and how to use it safely.

Did you know you can use peppermint oil to stop migraines and other types of headaches? Learn the recipes and methods for pain relief. Recent research suggests that lavender oil may offer migraine relief.

Find out how much you should use and how to apply it. Studies on scoliosis and headaches are limited, but migraine episodes are commonly reported by those with scoliosis. Let's look deeper:. The studies we have are newer and somewhat limited, but dry needling may be able to bring relief to those with migraine headaches.

Let's look deeper….

However, caffeine withdrawal and caffeine intake can also be triggers for headaches and migraines. Valerian is native to Europe and Asia. Use of valerian traces back to ancient Greece and Rome from the time of Hippocrates.

It was recognized as a remedy for insomnia a few centuries later. These included:. Valerian is usually taken as a supplement, tea, or tincture made from the dried roots.

Liquid extract is also available in capsule form. Valerian root capsules are widely sold in the United States.

Coriander was lauded for its ability to treat ailments that ranged from allergies to diabetes to migraines. Traditional Ayurvedic medicine used coriander to relieve sinus pressure and headaches by pouring hot water over the fresh seeds and inhaling the steam.

Hailing from the same family as carrots, parsley, and celery, dong quai root has been used as a spice, tonic, and medicinal cream for more than 1, years, especially in Japanese, Chinese, and Korean practices.

Modern uses often mix it with other herbs to treat:. Known for its sweet smell, lavender oil made from the flowers of the lavender plant is highly fragrant and has long been used to perfume hygiene products. Lavender is indigenous to the mountainous regions surrounding the Mediterranean.

Lavender oil was used in ancient Egypt during the mummification process. Because of its antimicrobial properties and clean scent, it was later added to baths in Rome, Greece, and Persia. The aromatic flowers and their oil were used to treat everything from headaches and insomnia to mental health complaints such as stress and fatigue.

Many of these historical uses remain popular today. A study suggests that inhaling lavender oil during a migraine may help relieve symptoms quickly. To use lavender oil, breathe in the oil or apply a diluted solution to the temples.

Lavender oil can be toxic when taken orally at certain doses. Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean region.

Medicinal uses have included the treatment of:. Rosemary oil can be diluted and applied topically or inhaled for aromatherapeutic purposes.

It can also be used in teas, tinctures, and liquid extracts. Rosemary is believed to have antimicrobial, antispasmodic, and antioxidant effects. Linden, also known as lime tree or Tilia , is a tree whose blossoms have been used in medicinal teas in European and Native American cultures.

The plant has been used to calm nerves and ease anxiety, tension, and inflammatory problems, among other issues. The blossoms can also be used in tinctures, liquid extracts, and capsules. Linden has been shown to have sweat-inducing and sedative properties.

The flowers have also been used to relieve nasal congestion and lower high blood pressure. This tea is sometimes used in modern alternative medicine for the treatment of headaches and migraines. The potato has been used in European folk medicine for over years.

Country folk medicine has anecdotally supported the use of thick slices of raw potato in calming migraine pain. Traditionally, the slices are cloaked in a thin cloth and wrapped around the head or rubbed directly on the temples to ease tension and pain.

There is no current scientific research suggesting that raw potato cuttings can effectively treat migraines when applied topically. Native to Europe, horseradish has been used in medicinal folk remedies as an oil extract or in dried or fresh root form.

It has historically been used to treat:. Its ability to narrow blood vessels may aid in treating migraines, but no clinical trials support the use of horseradish for migraines.

Native to Asia, the Japanese honeysuckle started taking root in North America in the s. It may also be effective against migraine pain. Since ancient times, people in Europe and Asia have been using mullein for medicinal purposes, treating inflammatory conditions, spasms, diarrhea, and migraines.

The leaves and flowers can be used for extracts, capsules, poultices, and dried preparations. Tinctures of the plant are used in modern homeopathic therapies for migraine treatment. Research has shown that mullein has diuretic properties.

Believed to be named after Achilles, the Greek mythical hero, yarrow has historically been used to heal wounds and slow blood loss. Other folk remedies encourage the use of yarrow to treat inflammatory conditions, muscle spasms, and anxiety or insomnia.

More recent folk remedies have used yarrow to relieve colds, flus, coughs, and diarrhea. Yarrow has also been shown to have pain-relieving, anti-anxiety, and antimicrobial properties.

Although more research is needed, the plant contains anti-inflammatory properties that may provide relief to people who experience migraines. Yarrow can be used in a variety of forms, including capsules and tinctures.

Teaberry, popularly known as wintergreen, is native to eastern North America. This edible plant, made famous by Teaberry gum, has long held a place in folk medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties.

It can be used to make teas, tinctures, and oil extracts. Teaberry also has been used historically as an astringent and as a stimulant to fight fatigue. You can brew teaberry in hot water for 3 to 4 minutes and drink the mixture to experience its healing effects.

Hops are native to Europe and western Asia and can now be found throughout North America. Once used as a food in ancient Roman culture, this flavorful plant also has significant medicinal properties. Hops have historically been used to treat:.

This perennial herb can be found throughout Europe and Asia. The plant has traditionally been used to relieve headaches and facial swelling and pain. The leaves can be used as a juice, poultice, or ointment. The mildly sedative properties of the plant are used to treat headache and migraine pain, menstrual cramps, stress, and tension.

It may help alleviate sinus headaches and congestion when used in combination with lime flowers and comfrey.

This deciduous tree is a native to China and has been used in Chinese medicine since the first century A. Evodia has traditionally been used to treat abdominal pain, headaches, diarrhea, and vomiting.

The fruits of the tree may also reduce blood pressure. The anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing properties of the fruit may help ease migraine pain. Although many herbal remedies can be safe when used correctly, they may also have side effects like any prescription medication would.

Some herbs can interact with medications, such as oral contraceptives or heart drugs. Herbs can be dangerous or even deadly when misused. Some have little research to back claims, verify toxicity levels, or identify potential side effects.

This is the most common kind of migraine headache. It builds over several hours before the pain of your migraine peaks, usually lasting up to 72 hours. People who have these kinds of migraines tend to experience them a few times per year. If they occur more often than that, the condition may be diagnosed as chronic migraine.

Some people experience disturbances of the nervous system, called aura, during their migraines. Auras can include bright spots in the field of vision, tingling sensations, vision loss, hallucinated odors, and uncontrolled movements.

Retinal migraines involve vision loss in one eye. Unlike migraines with aura, the visual disturbances are usually contained to that eye. Chronic migraine is defined as having migraines that occur on more than 15 days per month for 3 months or more.

This frequency can be debilitating. Medical evaluation is required to obtain a treatment plan and to identify if something else is causing the migraines to occur so often.

Certain behaviors, emotions, hormones, and foods can trigger a migraine. Caffeine or chemical withdrawal can cause migraines, for example. Chocolate, food dyes and additives, preservatives, aspartame, and cured meats are the most common dietary triggers for migraines, according to the American Nutrition Association.

Food allergies and sensitivities can also activate migraines as a symptom. A high-stress, competitive lifestyle can sometimes lead to recurrent migraines. Emotional stress from chemicals released during emotional situations can provoke a migraine.

Hormones are also a notorious migraine trigger. For women, the menstrual cycle is often connected to when their migraines occur. You may want to consider if there are migraine patterns or triggers that you can identify before you decide to try an herbal treatment. In addition to herbal treatments, significant research shows that diet can play a major role in migraine frequency, duration, and intensity.

Potential preventive measures and treatments for migraines include:. Just like medications, herbs can have significant side effects on the body.

Some can interact with other medicines and be dangerous or even deadly when misused. Discuss all treatment options with your doctor before use. Consider tracking your triggers, symptoms, pain intensity and duration, and other related factors in a migraine journal or migraine app.

Whether you choose pharmaceutical treatments, natural remedies , or a combination, having a thorough record of your experiences will help you and your doctor narrow down the best treatment options. It might also be helpful to talk to others about their own experiences with migraines.

Our free app, Migraine Healthline, connects you with real people who experience migraines. Ask treatment-related questions and seek advice from others who get it.

Download the app for iPhone or Android. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Learn how to tell the difference between episodic migraine and chronic migraine.

If you get migraines, you want pain relief that works. Learn what you need to know about how Excedrin Migraine works and how to use it safely.

Did you know you can use peppermint oil to stop migraines and other types of headaches? Learn the recipes and methods for pain relief. Recent research suggests that lavender oil may offer migraine relief. Find out how much you should use and how to apply it. Studies on scoliosis and headaches are limited, but migraine episodes are commonly reported by those with scoliosis.

Let's look deeper:. The studies we have are newer and somewhat limited, but dry needling may be able to bring relief to those with migraine headaches. Let's look deeper…. In males, stress, physical activity, and lack of sleep seem to be among the most common triggers.

In , the FDA approved Botox as a treatment for chronic migraine. Green suggested. A study published in July in Current Pain and Headache Reports found that dehydration alone may cause headaches and worsen headaches related to an underlying condition. You've probably heard, "drink eight cups of water a day" to stay hydrated.

That's a good start, but your water intake should also take into account your age, weight, and daily activity. According to the National Academy of Medicine , men should consume cups of water a day about 13 cups of that should come from beverages , while women should aim for cups about 9 cups of that should come from beverages.

You can reach your water requirement from sources other than plain water—like low-calorie liquids tea and skim or low-fat milk, for example as well as fruits and vegetables. Even moderate coffee consumption contributes to your daily fluid intake; a study published in January in PLoS One challenged the long-standing theory that moderate caffeine consumption contributed to dehydration.

If you're physically active or live in a warm, humid environment, you'll need to increase your water intake to stay hydrated and stave off headaches. Learning if a medication you're on has a side effect of headache could be key to alleviating your pain.

In fact, if you are overusing medication you're taking for your headache, you may be unknowingly worsening your pain. These headaches are called medication-overuse headaches MOH , but you may also hear them called analgesic rebound headaches, drug-induced headaches, or medication misuse headaches.

In the third edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders , published in , medications that can be overused—and consequently cause more headaches—include aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs , opioids, triptans commonly used for migraines , sleep medications, and acetaminophen.

If you worry you may be misusing or overusing a medication, talk to a healthcare provider about how to safely stop taking the drug. Tension headaches are sometimes called muscle contraction or stress headaches because there may be a link between stress and posture, according to the NIH.

Tension headaches can be sporadic or chronic. They can last from 30 minutes to seven days and famously have a band-like tightening feeling around your head.

To put it simply, they're no fun. Loder explained. Loder also recommended taking frequent breaks from stressful situations and relaxing with something you enjoy. Loder added. Caffeine is a double-edged sword, Dr. Loder explained: If you consume too much, too regularly, you may experience withdrawal on the days you don't get it.

It may be frustrating to hear that caffeine's role in preventing or worsening headaches is still understudied. Based on available studies, a review published in August in Nutrients concluded that caffeine's role in migraine headaches is "ambiguous. Eyestrain on its own isn't usually a cause of bad headaches, but Dr.

Loder suggested spending long hours in front of a computer can make people more susceptible to these headaches. Indeed, "screen headaches," as they're sometimes called, need more research, but a study published in October in Cephalalgia pointed to a relationship between high levels of screen time and migraines in young adults.

Paying attention to ergonomics having the right chair , desk, and computer set up at your workspace can help reduce strain on the neck, Dr.

Loder said, and taking frequent breaks—every 30 minutes or so, to stretch and look away from your computer screen—can reduce eyestrain and muscle stiffness. Heading to the beach on a sunny summer afternoon?

Pack plenty of fluids and a beach umbrella if you're prone to migraines. We need more research to understand the exact relationship between sitting in the sun and headaches, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC does note that headaches can be symptoms of heat exhaustion.

Green recommended wearing sunglasses and seeking shade—or air conditioning—when you feel yourself getting overheated. A vigorous workout while you're in the throes of a bad headache may not be a good idea, and in fact, an increased pulse may make the pressure or the pounding worse, Dr.

This is a type of exertion headache, according to the National Headache Foundation. But during the times you're headache-free, regular exercise is a good way to help you stay that way.

A February review published in Current Pain and Headache Reports concluded that aerobic exercise—like biking, cross-training, and walking briskly—could help in migraine prevention treatment. If you suspect stress is either causing or worsening your headaches, yoga may be a nice option for you.

A small study published in June in the American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education found student participants who completed a six-week yoga and meditation program before finals experienced less stress and anxiety. However, Dr. Loder recommended taking caution with hot yoga classes if high temperatures are a known trigger for you.

A study published in January in Pediatric Neurology found that excessive daily gum-chewing could be associated with chronic headaches in children and adolescents.

Loder's patients often complain about visiting the dentist because keeping their mouths open for so long can give them headaches as well.

People who get migraines are often told to avoid certain foods , like aged cheese or cured meats made with preservatives, but there's not a lot of hard evidence behind these claims, Dr. A review of 43 studies published in Headache assessed diet-related triggers of migraine.

It concluded we don't have enough randomized controlled trial data to know the exact relationship between diet and migraines but suggested patients pay attention to what foods may trigger headaches or migraine for them.

That being said, Dr. Loder encouraged patients to pay attention to their food choices and to look for eating patterns that may be associated with headaches. If you suspect certain foods are causing your headaches, try eliminating them and then reintroducing them to your diet one at a time.

Another common cause of headaches is anything too bright, fast, or flashy, Dr. Loder said: "Loud noise, busy patterns, strong perfumes, watching an action movie in a dark theater—these are all pretty well-known headache triggers for some people.

Your best bet is to try to avoid these situations when possible. Headaches often go along with motion sickness , according to the CDC —especially for people who are prone to queasiness or migraines.

And you don't have to be in a boat or on an airplane, Dr. Car sickness commonly causes headaches too. A review published in in Pharmacology noted that scopolamine and antihistamines, like Dramamine, are the most effective medications available to treat motion sickness symptoms like nausea and vomiting.

Something as simple as riding in the front seat so you have a good view of the road may also prevent motion sickness, according to an overview published in in Drugs in Context.

Try not to read or watch videos while riding in a car either, Dr. This causes an internal disagreement between your eyes and your ears, which can disrupt balance and cause nausea and headaches.

One of the most common triggers, in fact, is getting too little sleep , based on a study published in April in Medicine. Don't go too far in the other direction, though: "Too much sleep can also be a trigger if you're altering your regular schedule," Dr.

Your best bet is keeping a consistent bedtime and wake time—yes, even on the weekends. Biofeedback is a therapy technique that uses electronic sensors to monitor muscle tension, skin temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. It aims to teach people how to control body functions that usually happen on their own, according to the Foundation for Peripheral Neurology.

Like other headache remedies, we need more research to understand if and how biofeedback can relieve headache or migraines. Results have been inconsistent, but a pilot study published in December in the International Journal of Behavioral Medicine suggested biofeedback could help improve migraine symptoms.

Don't like the idea of being hooked up to electrodes? Consider cognitive behavioral therapy sessions, which can teach you relaxation strategies like meditation and deep breathing.

Since we're still learning how supplements may remedy headaches, talk to your healthcare provider before taking any new supplements to be sure it's safe for your specific medical situation.

A review published in BioMed Research International analyzed how riboflavin vitamin B2 ; vitamins B6, B9, and B12; vitamin E; and vitamin C could affect migraines.

It concluded that we need larger clinical trials to understand how and if these supplements affect different types of headaches. However, a study published in February in Acta Neurologica Belgica found that milligrams of magnesium oxide could help prevent migraine attacks.

The American Headache Society recommends milligrams daily, but again, talk with a healthcare provider before starting a new supplement. Dietary supplements are minimally regulated by the FDA and may or may not be suitable for you. The effects of supplements vary from person to person and depend on many variables, including type, dosage, frequency of use, and interactions with current medications.

Please speak with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting any supplements. Several natural headache remedies exist, but preventing and treating your headache could come down to you and your healthcare provider understanding what kind of headache or migraine you're experiencing.

Figuring out an underlying cause could help you choose the best remedy.