Natural Headache Remedies

Headaches are a common complaint. Brands of over-the-counter pharmaceutical remedies are looking to corner the headache market. Open your favorite magazine or turn on the television and you will see ads for different pharmaceuticals promising to cure your headache: Advil, Tylenol, ASPIRIN®; the list goes on. But are drugs the most effective way to treat headaches? What are the natural remedies available?

Types of Headaches

In order to most effectively treat your headache, you need to know what type of headache you have. Some of the most common types are migraine, tension, sinus and hypertension. Tension headaches are caused by tension in the muscles of the face, scalp, neck and shoulders. Migraines are vascular headaches, meaning that they are caused by the dilation of blood vessels in your brain. Sinus headaches are related to sinus colds or infections. Sinus headaches are often also associated with allergies. Hypertension headaches are related to an increase in blood pressure. Vascular headaches have throbbing, sharp pain while tension headaches are dull with intense pressure. Sinus headaches are associated with cold symptoms such as congestion or runny nose.

Natural Remedies for Headaches

Tension headaches can most effectively be treated with bodywork such as chiropractic or massage. Moist heat or ice may also be effective. Sinus headaches benefit from lymph drainage massage or other treatments that address the face and skull, such as acupuncture or craniopathy. A warm moist washcloth placed over areas of congestion may also help.

Headaches that stem from hypertension may resolve by addressing high blood pressure issues. Changes in diet and exercise may be of great benefit in resolving high blood pressure. According to the authors of The Clinician’s Handbook of Natural Medicine, Joseph Pizzorno, Michael Murray and Herb Joiner-Bey; migraines may be resolved by avoiding common food allergens that have a high histamine component, such as chocolate, cheese, beer and wine and taking vitamin B2. The authors also recommend taking essential fatty acids and arachidonic acid, 5-HTP and magnesium. It is recommended that you be under the care of a trained holistic physician before beginning a course of nutritional supplementation. Headaches may also be the result of dehydration, low blood sugar, or lack of sleep. In this case, water, a high carb snack such as a piece of fruit, or a nap may be all that is required.

A Word of Caution About Headaches

Headaches that are accompanied by blurred vision, nystagmus (where the eyes move rapidly back and forth involuntarily), vertigo and slurred speech may be a sign of stroke and should be treated as a medical emergency. Headaches that do not respond to treatment and are constant are often a sign of a deeper underlying problem. You should see your primary care physician and ask for a referral to a neurologist in this case, Investigate this site : www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/01/25/2163145/0/en/aculief-reviews-does-this-migraine-relief-clip-work-product-review-by-mike-vaughn.html.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.

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Bill Sutton

Bill Sutton is born in Middletown Township, NJ. He is a journalist. He completed his Master of Journalism (JOMJ) degree at the University of Maryland. He grew up in Middletown Township, NJ. For a few years, after college and before moving to Middletown Township, He lived and worked in Detroit in an intentional community. Sometimes, he likes to do things that involve neither reading nor writing nor asking people questions. These things include hiking, running, bike riding, watching fun shows, playing outdoor with his children, and generally wandering around.