I have been a migraine sufferer most of my adult life (I am now 47). I have tried acupuncture and conventional medication with my GP, who has also checked that there are no underlying conditions, and I have personally identified trigger foods, including alcohol, chocolate, citrus fruit and caffeine. I am concerned about taking painkillers — can you suggest any other alternatives?

Name and address withheld

I am glad that you have worked with your GP and tracked down what foods precipitate an attack. Nutritional deficiencies, too, play a significant role in the development of migraines, so ensure your diet is rich in essential fatty acids (oily fish, flaxseed, hemp oil) and the mineral magnesium, found in leafy green vegetables.

There are many natural approaches to treating migraines, but I would suggest a holistic, noninvasive approach, such as the Bowen Technique or cranial osteopathy, to assess your condition. The Bowen Technique (0844 561 7173, bowentherapists.com) views the individual as an integrated biodynamic system and treats the body with a series of gentle moves to restore balance. In the case of migraine, particular attention is paid to the upper spine and cranial release points, resulting in reduced muscular and nervous tension, the physical causes of migraine. Cranial osteopathy is a subtle type of osteopathic treatment that aids the release of tension held in the head and body. A cranial osteopath will be able to assess your general condition and the tone of the tissues, especially those of the pelvis, diaphragm and base of the skull using a gentle touch. Contact the Sutherland Society (0845 603 0680, cranial.org.uk ) for a list of cranial osteopaths registered with the General Osteopathic Council.

Herbal medicine has been used to treat migraines for centuries and doesn’t have the side effects of conventional painkillers that you are concerned about. One of the most popular botanicals traditionally used is feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium). A fresh leaf a day can be taken as a tea or in a sandwich, as prescribed by the renowned 17th-century herbalist Nicholas Culpeper. Alternatively, MigraHerb

(£8 for 30 one-a-day capsules, from Boots), is a licensed herbal medicine that contains whole-leaf feverfew. I have found it to be successful in helping chronic cases of migraine, but it can take a few months to be fully effective. Pregnant or breast-feeding women, and those allergic to feverfew or related plants such as marigolds, daisies or chrysanthemums, shouldn’t take it.

Jennifer Harper-Deacon is a registered naturopathic physician and was voted Health Journalist of the Year 2008 by the Health Food Manufacturers’ Association. jenniferharper-deacon.com

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