Tics are fast and repetitive muscle movements that can result in sudden and difficult control of body jolts or sounds. Usually, they are happening in childhood. Typically, they first appear at around five years of age. In very rare cases, they can start in adulthood. Usually, tics are not serious and they normally improve as time passes. But, they can be frustrating and they can interfere with your daily activities.
There are different types of tics. Some tics affect body movement while others result in a sound. Some examples for tics include coughing, grunting, or sniffing; clicking the fingers; jerking or banging the head; blinking, wrinkling the nose or grimacing; repeating a sound or phrase; touching other people or things. Tics can happen randomly. They may be associated with something, such as happiness, excitement, tiredness, anxiety, or stress.
If people talk about or are focused on tics, then they tend to get worse. Usually, tics are not serious and they do not damage the brain. In most cases, people can see that their tics improve over time or they stop completely. In some cases, they can last just a few months, but often they come and go in a period of several years. You need to talk with your doctor if you suffer from tics before you use some of the below-mentioned home remedies, so you will know that they will not cause you side effects.
Here are some natural remedies for tics:
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Exercise:
It has been shown that aerobic exercise can help to reduce tics during exercise and post-exercise. One study was found that in addition to tic reduction, aerobic exercise has a beneficial impact on anxiety and mood levels. This study did not identify the intensity or length of time for the exercise sessions observed, but you can add the aerobic exercise in your daily activities, so you will get the best result. You should try to find ways to make exercise fun. Playing tag, basketball, tennis, and dance can get all the heart pumping, resulting in happier and healthier kids.
ERP:
ERP is a shortcut for exposure with response prevention. It aims to help you or your child get used to the unpleasant sensations that are often felt just before a tic and this can stop the tic from occurring.
Acupuncture:
One Chinese study was found that acupuncture is effective in 97.1% of cases in the treatment of tics and Tourette’s syndrome. In this study was concluded that acupuncture is a very effective therapy for tics. Parents and children may hesitate to acupuncture, but it is a safe procedure that is proven to help with stress, pain, insomnia, and tics.
Eliminate dyes:
When we talk about artificial chemicals in food, studies have shown that food dyes can cause a lot of problems for some kids, including tics. These chemicals overexcite the brain, which is leading to symptoms of tics, anxiety, ADHD, and more. You should eliminate everything from your child’s diet which gets its color from unnatural sources and this means avoiding foods with ingredients like red and yellow. Also, avoid other colors which do not come from natural sources.
Omega –3 fatty acids:
In some studies have been shown that Omega – 3 fatty acids may benefit individuals by reducing tic–related impairment. It is known that Omega – 3 fatty acids can help to support brain health and heart health and prevent cancer. So, these foods should be incorporated into the diet of anyone who suffers from tics.
B vitamins:
These vitamins have many important functions for our bodies, such as supporting the nervous system, fighting against free radicals, promoting healthy skin and hair, etc. Also, B vitamins can help in the fight against tics and Tourette’s syndrome, because they can fight against depression and anxiety and improve concentration and cognitive function. You should talk with a doctor for the best-recommended dosage for you.
Identify and address food sensitivities:
Your child may not vomit the moment after he eats a bagel. But, this does not mean that his body can handle the dairy or gluten appropriately. A build-up of foods that can irritate your child’s immune system can cause inflammation in his brain or body and this can lead to tics. You should consider working with a healthcare practitioner who can run tests and use other methods of identifying and addressing food allergies, sensitivities, or intolerances.
Also, elimination diets can be very effective at determining which specific foods may be exacerbating symptoms. This is involving eliminating one food or category of foods, at a time to see how it impacts symptoms. You should keep a meticulous food log to track your response. Also, you should remember that tics can come and go, so it can be difficult to gauge whether taking away dairy really eliminated that shoulder shrug or if it’s just the natural augment and abating of the tics.
In some cases, it requires a few attempts at removing and reintroducing foods to determine what makes a real difference. Many experts have noticed that artificial chemicals, corn, eggs, dairy, and gluten tend to be the most common offending foods for kids with tics.
Whole-body relaxation:
One study was found that body-mind relaxation meditation can help to modulate brain activity in many areas where emotion processing is found. You should guide your child through tensing and releasing various muscle groups, so you will induce to him or her a whole-body relaxation response. You or your kid should start with at the feet and move upward, then squeeze muscles hard to the count of 5 and then release to the count of 15.
Then, you should go to the next muscle group and repeat it until you reach the top of the head. Some individuals who have tics may find that deflation and clearing the lower body is ample. But, others may find the same to be true with the upper body.
Epsom salt bath:
It is very important to add magnesium to your child’s body. You can achieve it through Epsom salt. You should add from ½ cup to 2 cups of Epsom salt to the nightly bath routine. Also, your kids can soak their feet in a warm Epsom salt bath for 20 minutes. Magnesium will be absorbed in the body directly through the skin. But, at the same time, it is promoting soothing and calming effects. It is an excellent routine to do right before bed because it can help your kids to fall asleep a bit more quickly. It is very important to have a good night’s sleep, so it will reduce your tics.
Magnesium:
Many studies have been shown that kids who have tics have less than optimal magnesium levels. You should increase your child’s intake of magnesium-rich foods, such as pumpkin seeds, spinach, or almonds, so you will improve your magnesium levels. Also, you can take magnesium supplements, but talk with a doctor about how much you should take. It has been found that magnesium glycinate or magnesium citrate work at best, but you should avoid giving your child citrate if your child tends to have loose stools.
It depends on the size of your child, but 250 – 500 mg of quality magnesium supplement can often reduce twitches and vocal tics.
Passionflower:
Passionflower can help you with your tics. It helps you to deal with symptoms, like depression, anxiety, and trouble sleeping.
Chamomile:
For over 5,000 years, chamomile has been used as a home remedy for many different problems, such as muscle spasms, depression, anxiety, arthritis, allergies, wounds, and insomnia. One study was shown that chamomile can help to reduce anxiety in patients with mild to moderate generalized anxiety disorders.
You can find organic essential oils, tinctures, and teas at local health food stores. It can help you to deal with your tics too. If you want to get relief from the tension and promote good sleep, then you should try diffusing chamomile essential oil. Also, you can enjoy a cup of tea any time of the day, so you will gain benefits from this powerful flower.
Vitamin D:
Experts say that nearly 90% of the population has a Vitamin D deficiency. It is often overlooked as an essential nutrient, so it plays a major role in the nervous system, depression, and muscle health. In some studies done in Canada was found that there is a strong relationship between Vitamin D and depression. The best way of getting this vitamin is through the sunlight. If you do not go outside for at least twenty minutes each day, then you should boost your intake of Vitamin D-rich foods.
References:
- https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/tics.html.
- What causes different types of tic disorders? https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317950.
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/tics . Published February 2020
- Tic Disorder. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/tic-disorder.
