We’ve all experienced the pain and discomfort of a headache or migraine at least once or twice in our life. What happens when the pain gets so unbearable that it effects your overall quality of life? Missed work, gut retching light sensitivity, inability to get out of bed, blurred vision and in extreme cases nausea. Some brush headaches or migraines off as a “Normal” thing that happens to everyone but in some cases it can be debilitating. Below we will talk about natural remedies to prevent, relieve and avoid those debilitating headaches that leave you immobile for hours.
There are 3 Types of Headaches: Sinus Headache, Migraine and Tension Headache.
It’s Important to know the difference for proper treatment.
Sinus Headaches: Often mistaken for tension headaches are often caused by congestion, dehydration and or allergies. The sinus cavities then become inflamed causing pressure resulting in a headache. Symptoms include:
- Throbbing behind the eyes
- Nasal drip
- Pressure behind the cheeks and or forehead
Migraine: By far the worst of the bunch. Migraines are triggered by hormonal changes, food additives, caffeine, stress and sensory stimuli. Many people experience other triggers such as florescent lights and strong smells. Symptoms include:
- Eye pain
- Sensitivity to light
- Sensitivity to sound
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Severe pain usually described as throbbing or pounding on one or both sides of the head
Tension Headache: We will call these our “everyday” headache. Most tension headaches are caused by stress, dehydration, lack of sleep or chronic sleep disorders and high blood pressure. When homeostasis is off balance headaches tend to occur. Symptoms include (or may not include):
- Watery eyes
- Drooping eyelid
- Contraction of the pupil
- Facial sweating
- Nausea or vomiting
- Overall sensory sensitivity
Headache Prevention:
Yes! Its totally possible to prevent a headache or migraine before it occurs. WATER, WATER and more WATER! I can not stress this enough. Whether its a sinus headache or migraine, lemon water provides nourishment for the body and helps balance homeostasis, With a sinus headache it directly helps relieve pressure by hydrating your sinuses therefore causing drainage. The drainage will then relieve the pressure and alleviate the pain. Taking a magnesium supplement at the first sign of a headache is always an awesome approach. Many people are magnesium deficient which can lead to chronic headaches or general pain. The best approach that I’ve found is taking a minute, breathing, turning off a light and just relaxing. Sometimes we help prolong a headache by continuing our everyday activities in hope that its momentary pain and will subside on its own. So here’s a summary for headache prevention:
- Drink plenty of water with lemon at the first sign of a headache
- Take magnesium either powder or pill form when you feel pressure coming on
- Take a second and relax with the lights off
- Turn off anything that is stimulating your senses
- Warm shower can often provide relief from pressure before it gets overbearing
Natural Treatments For Headaches:
When it gets past that point of no return, treatment is necessary to have a productive day. You don’t always need medications to mask this discomfort and wait for it to return hours later with full force. Natural remedies not only relieve the pain but it often gets to the root of the problem instead of making you feel as if the headache is gone when really its simply hiding until your OTC wears off. below are 15 remedies that have been used for centuries to relieve, treat and train your body to be headache and/or migraine free.
1.Peppermint oil- Peppermint oil provides a soothing “menthol” type feeling to the affected area. It is a natural anti-inflammatory and works fairly quickly to relieve discomfort to the affected area.
How to use:
Massage desired amount of peppermint oil to temples, back of the neck, jaw and forehead until you feel a cooling sensation. Find a quiet place to relax while it takes effect.
2. Apple cider vinegar steam treatment- Apple cider vinegar is one of those amazing cure all treatments . Anti-inflammatory, large amounts of potassium that breaks down congestion, kills off infections that can cause headaches and help alkalize the body.
How to use:
Pour ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar into a large bowl, and then fill the bowl halfway with boiling water. Drape a towel over your head and lean over the bowl. Do this method for 10-20 minutes or until your start feeling relief. Make sure to breathe in and out deeply through your nose. Drink a cool glass of water after this treatment.
3. Magnesium- Magnesium is needed for proper nerve function, it is thought that Magnesium deficiency and migraines may be related which makes magnesium a great remedy for headaches and or migraines. It helps in the production of protein and helps with proper nerve function.
How to use:
Magnesium can be found in bananas, avocados, leafy greens, seeds, apricots and many other amazing foods. If you can not stomach any of these try a powder magnesium supplement. Add two tbsp. into 12oz of cool water and drink slowly. You can use a natural calm magnesium supplement found here or a magnesium topical spray.
4. Chew on Ginger Root- Ginger root not only helps relieve the inflammation caused by headaches or migraines, it will also help treat nausea and vomiting associated with migraines/headaches.
How to use:
Slice ginger root and peel or cut off the outer skin. Cut ginger into small thin slices and chew on affected side of the face. You will feel slight tingling but keep chewing until pressure subsides.
5. Jaw Exercises- This method is specifically great for tension headaches. Stretching the jaw line can help relieve pressure behind the jaw and temples. It can also help with drainage associated with sinus headaches.
How to use:
Use a pencil for this method. Hold the pencil between your teeth (not biting, just holding) and feel pressure flow away. We often clench our jaws when stressed or in pain and this method can ensure our jaws stay relaxed. Keeping something between our teeth can make us more aware of when we are clenching and causing more tension within our jaws therefore leading to more pain.
6. Neti Pot- Neti pots are great for sinus headaches. They help drain and relieve congestion in the sinus cavity. Neti pots are a mix of saline water and some use xylitol which is a bit more nourishing to the sinuses. Easy, quick and effective.
How to use:
Fill Neti pot with warm water and apply the content packet it comes with. I personally love the sinus pots that use a xylitol mixture but they are rare and few (often sold in health food stores). Hold your head to the side and slightly down while squeezing the bottle into one nostril. Let the liquid drain out of the opposite nostril until it runs clear without mucous. Use this method in each nostril until water is clear and no longer contains mucous. You can get a neti pot here.
7. Garlic- Yummy! Garlic is one of my absolute favorite seasonings whether its fresh or in powder form. Garlic has anti microbial properties and also anti inflammatory properties which are both two causes of headaches and migraines. Chewing or drinking garlic has huge benefits if you can work through the spice.
How to use:
Eat one fresh clove of garlic to achieve instant drainage and headache relief. You can also boil 3 cloves of garlic in fresh filtered water and use it as a steam therapy treatment or in a tea. Simply sip the garlic tea or place head over steaming pot with a towel over your head. Please be careful not to burn yourself by placing your head far enough away from the pot.
8. Cold or hot compress- Probably the oldest remedy for headaches. Headaches can be tricky so knowing which compress to use is keep. If you feel nauseous or feverish, go with a cool compress. If you are feeling intense amounts of pressure and nose/throat drainage use a hot compress. Both will help either dilate or contract blood vessels depending on your ailment.
How to use:
Cold compress- Dip a rag into cold water, fold and apply to the back of the neck, forehead and/or shoulders.
Hot compress- Dip a rag into warm or hot water (depending on your sensitivity) and apply to the back of the neck, forehead, temples and/or shoulders.
9. Massage (assisted or unassisted)- Massaging the affected area provides quick relief from headaches. Massaging the temples, back of the neck, forehead or jaw line stimulates circulation and blood flow in the area helping alleviate pressure and discomfort.
How to use:
Massage temples, forehead, back of the neck or shoulders in a circular motion. Wherever you feel pain, use this method. You can do this method assisted or on your own.
10. Natural Caffeine (In moderation)- Natural caffeine can help reduce the size of blood vessels therefore helping with pain due to headaches.
How to use:
Green tea is my choice for caffeine if I have a headache. Only one 8 oz glass will do. Do not exceed more than one serving. If taken too much it acts as a diuretic and will cause dehydration.
No remedy listed is a sure thing but its always good to have these remedies on hand. The pain from a migraine or headache can be debilitating but you can prevent and treat them with these few steps. Take a break, breathe, gather yourself and try one of the remedies above. Don’t forget, water is your best friend when you have are experiencing a headache. You can never have too much but you can certainly have too little.
Image: http://uchealth.com/articles/treating-menstrual-migraine/
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