Home Remedy for Tension Headaches
From LoveToKnow Stress
The pain throbbing across your head making it feel as if a tight band is squeezing it can often be relieved by a home remedy for tension headaches.
Tension Headaches and Home Remedies
More then 90 percent of adults suffer from tension headaches at some time during their lives, often as physical symptoms of anxiety and stress. Many headache sufferers seek relief from the pain caused by these headaches by taking over-the-counter medications. Others rely on simple home remedies to take away their headache pain.
Home remedies are often effective ways to relieve the pain associated with tension headaches. Naturally, not every home remedy will work successfully for every headache sufferer. Some people may have to try various techniques before finding one that works for them.
Using Massage as a Home Remedy for Tension Headaches
An excellent way to relieve the pain of a tension headache is through massage. Gently use your fingertips to massage the muscles in your neck, head, and shoulders. Some headache sufferers find that massaging their temples helps to relieve the pain. You can do this yourself or have someone else massage the area for you.
The use of massage oils applied to the muscles during the massage gives you the additional benefit of aromatherapy to ease your headache pain. Some of the favorite and most effective oil scents to use for headache relief include:
- Peppermint
- Lavender
- Eucalyptus
- Rosemary
- Sandalwood
- Jasmine
Tension Headache Remedies Using Hot and Cold
The effectiveness of hot and cold as remedies for tension headaches vary depending on the person. Some people find that applying ice is effective and others find that applying heat gives them relief. Still others find that they need to alternate hot and cold treatments. Often taking a hot shower or bath will relieve a tension headache.
To apply heat use a warm compress or towel, a heating pad, or a hot-water bottle. Place the source of heat on the sore muscles on the back of your neck and upper back. If your preference is cold, use an ice pack wrapped in a towel or cloth and place it on your forehead.
Stress Management Techniques as Home Remedies for Tension Headaches
There are several additional natural stress relievers that can help with tension headache pain.
- Deep breathing is an effective technique for relieving a tension headache when you first feel it beginning. Take several slow deep long breaths making sure to inhale and exhale very slowly.
- Stress management stretching can help relieve a headache caused by muscle tension. Relax your neck and shoulders completely and turn your head from side to side. Repeat the movement with your shoulders shrugged and then once again while your shoulders are relaxed.
- Take a short ten minute walk outside and breathe deeply while walking.
- Find a quiet place to relax and meditate.
More Tension Headache Home Remedies
Sometimes tension headaches are cause by things such as restless sleep or poor posture when working on the computer. Think about the onset of your headache and you may find the cause.
The following simple remedies may help to relieve certain tension headaches.
- Changing your pillow to a different type may relieve tension headaches that occur from poor sleep.
- Changing the position of your monitor can relieve how you hold your neck when working on the computer for a long time period.
- Sleep is a great way to eliminate a tension headache. If possible try to rest in a dark, quiet room.
- Fill the sink with hot water and submerge your hands for several minutes, as the water cools replace it with more hot water.
- Drink a large glass of water as dehydration may be the cause of your headache. Drinking a sports drink will also replace necessary electrolytes that you may need.
A Word of Caution
Although tension headaches are common, if you experience a headache pain that is different then any you have ever felt or if the headache pain is very severe, seek medical attention immediately.
Using a home remedy for tension headaches is an effective way to relieve stressful pain without taking prescription or over-the-counter medications..
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Comments
Cathy - Thanks for sharing your tips!
-- Contributed by: Melissa MayntzYou've listed some great ideas here. There are things you can do for various types of tension and stress headaches.
You mention walking and I find that going out by myself for a walk really helps me to clear my head so things don't seem so overwhelming. Its when things start to build up that the tension and stress begin to take their toll.
I always try to find natural relief first, in order to avoid turning to any over the counter medications. One thing that really helps me is using an aromatherapy eye pillow. It's great for stress and anxiety issues as well as sinus pressure and congestion. What I have to found to work best for me is an eye pillow, right out of the freezer. I use a peppermint scented one because it opens up my sinuses and that helps me to breathe a lot better and helps any sinus or tension related headaches. The cold flax seed inside the eye pillow surrounds my eyes and temples which helps to reduce swelling in the sinus cavities and around the eyes. The weight of the flax seed applies just enough acupressure to soothe and relax my facial muscles. The eye pillow also block out all light, when the pain is so bad it just makes you squint you eyes.
Well, I hope this helps and thanks for all the great insight you always seem to have on this site. I'm going to try the stretching movements that you mention. I think that will help as well. Good luck!
-- Contributed by: cathy7268
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