Therapies

Which other therapies may help?

Yoga: according to research from the University of Rajasthan, India, migraine patients randomly assigned to undertake a yoga-therapy programme experienced fewer and less painful migraine attacks. The researchers believe the postures and controlled breathing in yoga may calm the overactive nervous system.

Aromatherapy: 'Some migraines are caused by stress,' says aromatherapist Georgina Walker, 'and this can cause the large muscles at the back of the neck and in the forehead to tighten. A couple of drops of neat lavender essential oil on the back of the neck and one drop on each temple can help relieve this.' She adds: 'The use of essential oils such as peppermint, grapefruit, eucalyptus and rosemary is also effective. Don't use directly on the skin, but try a couple of drops on a tissue and inhale or in steam inhalations. Peppermint also relieves nausea, while the others help eliminate toxins from the body.' Some smells can irritate certain individuals so experiment to find your ideal oil.

Chiropractic therapy, physiotherapy and osteopathy: physical therapies such as these may have a role to play in preventing certain migraines. Those who tend to have most success are sufferers with stiff necks and shoulders, and whose migraines may be triggered by upper body tension.

Acupuncture: not all studies have been positive but there have been some good results. One study, published in 2004 in the British Medical Journal, reported that migraine sufferers undergoing acupuncture treatment were found to have taken 15 per cent fewer days off work because of migraine attacks than sufferers not undergoing any treatment - a statistically significant reduction.