Treating Headaches without Medications

Posted November 29, 2009 – 11:28 am in: Back Pain

In our fast paced society headaches are remarkably common.  Most people suffer from headaches at least occasionally, but for people who suffer from chronic headaches; their lives can be constantly disrupted.  It is possible to function with a common stress based headache but a migraine headache is another matter altogether.   An endless diet of acetaminophen or ibuprofen is hard on the body.   For those who suffer constant headaches, alternatives to over the counter preparations exist.

Perhaps the least invasive option is to live better.  Improvements in sleep patterns, food choices and stress management are all very low impact.  Reducing things like caffeine, white sugar and chocolate, all of which are considered trigger foods, can help control headaches.  To figure out your trigger foods it is best to keep a headache diary for a few weeks.  This can help you pinpoint foods that trigger your headaches.  A trigger doesn’t have to be eaten immediately prior to a headache, something eaten hours or even a day earlier could be the trigger.  Eliminating trigger foods from your diet will reduce the incidence of headaches.

Another low impact remedy is lavender essential oil.  Applying a drop or two of the oil to your temples and the back of your neck can help reduce a headache for some individuals.  Lavender is known to be relaxing and is often used in lotions for just that reason.  It can be applied neat, or without a carrier oil, but if you find the smell too strong, simply pick another oil like almond or grape seed and apply the lavender scented oil with a cotton swab.

Stretching and massage is the next option up the drug free ladder.  Many headaches have their roots in tension.  Learning a number of neck and shoulder stretches, and applying them regularly and most importantly, when you feel a headache just beginning, can help prevent a headache from overwhelming you.  If you have chronic stress headaches, consider adding a regular massage to your regimen.  Weekly, or even biweekly, massages can help get you in touch with your body and reduce muscle tension.  Add to this a regular exercise program that helps keep you limber and relaxed and you can reduce your headaches significantly.

Chiropractors provide another option in the treatment of headaches.  Chiropractors manipulate the joints and muscles of the neck and head in order to release tension. By moving bones back into proper alignment it may be possible to reduce the muscular tension that leads to headaches.

Traditional Chinese Medicine also has ways of dealing with headaches.  Founded on a belief that the entire body needs to be in harmony and that this harmony can be achieved with herbs and exercises, TCM teaches its patients ways to treat their own pain.  Practitioners of Chinese Medicine can be found around the country, but their credentials should be checked thoroughly since there are few certifying schools in the States.

No matter how you treat your headaches, getting rid of the behavior patterns that lead to your pain is the critical factor in success.  Natural remedies can be part of a comprehensive approach to pain management.

illinois.healthsourcechiro.com/city/Chicago-Wabash-Ave

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