For people who get severe headaches and migraines, all natural headache relief is a high priority. If you have to spend much of the day sending sick leave requests and missing work, it could take away vacation time or cause you to lose your job entirely. For some people, the difference between being able to go to work and staying home could be a simple matter of relief.
However, it can be difficult to find a solution to headaches when they come on without warning and you can’t even remember what triggered the pain. Read this article to learn four different options for headache relief you can try. While these are treatment options that might not be right for every headache, if you suffer through regular migraines, they may offer some relief.
Hot and Cold Therapy
If you've ever felt throbbing pain in your muscles, you have probably heard that switching between ice and heat packs can reduce the tension in your muscles. The same can be done for all natural headache relief. Alternating cold and heat can be more beneficial than just ice or just heat. This is especially true for tension headaches, which arise when levels of stress and muscle tension are too high. Switching between cold and hot treatments can reduce tension and relieve a headache faster than traditional options.
Cover the area that hurts the most with the ice pack for at least 6-10 minutes, but no more than 10.
Massages for Headache Relief
Another way to treat tension headaches is by treating yourself to a massage. Research has found that a regular massage is a great way to handle tension headaches, even for those who have just one or two days a month where they can't focus on relieving their overwhelming pain.
This therapy involves manipulating muscles and tissue to squeeze tension out of the body. Both professional massage therapy and at-home massages can also prevent further tension buildup as opposed to simply alleviating symptoms.
Hydration is Key
Many headaches can be prevented or alleviated with regular water intake throughout the day. If you feel that you’re about to experience a migraine, hydrate with a glass of water or an electrolyte-rich beverage like Gatorade or Vitamin Water to start relieving the pain.
Some drinks are also known to worsen headache symptoms, like caffeinated drinks, soda, and alcohol. However, while avoiding coffee and alcohol might help relieve some pain, certain headache sufferers may need different advice about their nutrition habits.
All Natural Headache Relief: Become Pain Free with a Chiropractor
If you experience headaches often or don't show up at work because you're having them, talk to a medical professional such as your chiropractor. Once that doctor talks to you and defines your relief options with you, they can start a treatment plan and suggest regular adjustments, a personal health plan, and a nutritional plan according to your needs.