Many of us automatically reach for an analgesic no sooner has a headache begun. Headaches can be agonizing, incapacitating and downright bothersome. But, drugs are capable of merely masking the symptoms while taxing our kidneys and liver.
Before your pill-popping becomes a habit of sorts why not try out some proven alternative remedies that might prove to be more effectual than what you may have expected.
Tips To Cure For Headaches
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy or ice therapy is a reliable approach for dulling headache-related pains.Adding a few droplets of chamomile, lavender or valerian essential oil to this approach too can ease away headache pains, according to recommendation by the US National Center for Complementary & Alternative Therapy.
Right Approach
Specialists deduce that the chilliness aids in constriction of blood vessels situated around the human scalp and has an anti-inflammatory effect. It also slackens the pace at which pain signaling is transmitted by the nerves.
Cold compression or ice therapy tends to innately numb the area and could allay pressure in the head that would relieve pain. Headaches resulting from muscle tightness however, tend to aggravate with this approach.
Cold compress in the form of pre-frozen ice or gel pack ought to be applied over the area where the most acute pains are sensed. Frozen bags of peas, towels presoaked in icy water or cloth containing frozen rice too can ably serve the purpose.
Several individuals experience relief by patting or placing cold compresses on the backside of their necks followed by the forehead and allowing it to remain for around ten minutes.
Hot Compress
According to an Oxford Univ. Press released trial appearing six years back, the application of heat in conjunct with cold compression might be beneficial for management of migraine headache episodes.
Right Approach
Contrary to cryotherapy, warm compression has an overall relaxing effect on the muscles. Heat helps in opening blood vessels and augmenting blood supply.
This is ideal for tension-type of headaches specifically in the neckline, shoulders or jawline. Place your head over a heating pad following the cold compression for easing pain.
Acupressure
Acupressure is a healing art that has been practiced since several thousand years.It is based on the principle that when pressure points are massaged it can assist in relieving muscular tensions and releasing endorphins which have an innate pain-numbing effect.
Right Approach
Every acupressure point ought to be visualized as being roughly the girth of trio fingers and pressure application done using thumb or finger paddings to press in a firm manner into the points and then massage in smallish, orbital motions with gradual yet conscious movements for sixty to ninety seconds till one senses tension being released from tissues or muscles.
Points On The Hands
The right hand can be used for gently massaging the skin situated amid the forefinger and thumb of your left hand which is the acupressure point LI4 that principally affects nerves located in the frontal part of the head.Redo the steps by switching hands. Avoid doing this if you are expecting a baby since it is believed to bring about contractions in the uterus.
Points On The Facial Area
Use both thumbs and fingertips in a way similar to shampooing your hair for targeting the GB20 acupressure point situated on both sides of your neck, at the notch beneath the meeting point of neck muscles and cranial base. Don’t miss the acupressure point located at the back of each ear in the cavity on its exterior border.
Identify and massage the points GB5 corresponding to the sides of your head, in front of each ear and BL2 situated at the meeting point of brow edge with the nasal bridge for respite from headaches.
Oils To The Rescue
The fresh smell of Peppermint oil is believed to have vasodilation as well as vasoconstriction features that aid in controlling blood supply in our bodies. The oil facilitates opening and closing vessels which promotes blood flow while additionally opening up sinus passages for greater oxygenation in the blood.
As per a study appearing in ‘American Family Physician’, daubing ten percent oil of peppermint on the brow/temple could considerably allay acuteness of headaches after fifteen minutes.
Basil oil too is effective for headaches as it has muscle relaxing properties, hence useful for headaches arising due to muscle tightness and tensions.
Topical application of lavender oil to the temples is also a great remedy for headaches. Alternately, around four droplets of the oil can be added to around three cupfuls of searing water and the vaporous emissions inhaled for relieving headaches.
Munch On Headache Warding Foods
According to Doctor A. Mauskop from the N.Y. Headache Center, nearly 50% of severe headache episodes arise from depleted amounts of magnesium in the blood.
Hence, gorge on foods rich in this mineral like fishes, spinach, seeds, whole grain, avocado and tofu. Flaxseeds have n-3 fatty acids that can reduce inflammation-caused headache and should be consumed in seed, grinded or oil form.
Taiwanese scientists have proven the beneficial effects of flavonoids in counteracting inflammation, the commonest reason for headache. Hence, consume ample buckwheat which is rich in rutin flavonoid that does the trick for tackling headaches.
Gulp down some juiced tomato whenever one senses a headache attack as it is believed to contain several minerals and vitamin forms which innately relieve headache pain.
People suffering from stress-related or recurrent headaches are advised to eat de-skinned, de-cored red variety of apples with a light sprinkling of salt at dawn. The bioflavonoid presence in apples lowers blood pressure and hence also the frequency of headaches.
Massage Therapy
Mayo Clinic points out that stress is the commonest triggering factor, hence the use of mild-ranging pressure during massages to the temple areas could have tension- reducing effects and lessen intensity of headaches.
Firstly, retreat to a quiet, dim spot prior to commencing the massage. Begin massaging the scalp area in a gentle manner with the use of mild to moderate pressure of your finger tips.
Gradually move your focus to the temple area followed by the backside of neck and then the shoulder area. Cover these areas repeatedly for a period of five to ten minutes.
The neck should then be rolled out by tipping the head to either your right or left side till it makes contact with the shoulder. Next, the neck should be gently rolled back and around in complete circular motions.
Caution: Please use Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.
