Suffering from headache pain caused by tension in the head
and neck can be more than an annoyance; it can impact your ability to study,
work, and generally be at the top of your game in life. If your medical care
provider has determined that your tension headaches don’t have a more serious
underlying cause and you don’t want to take pain medication, there are natural
remedies for headaches that may bring relief.
One of the most interesting is acupressure, the application
of pressure via the thumbs and fingers (most commonly) to ‘acupoints’ in the
body. The practice of acupressure comes from traditional Chinese medicine and
is based on the concept of meridians located throughout the body along which
energy flows.
According to TCM practitioners, pressure at acupoints along
those meridians releases blocked energy and reduces the surrounding tension. At
the same time, endorphins are being released to relieve the pain associated
with the blockage. They also believe that acupressure can enhance necessary
bodily functions like digestion and sleep.
In particular the acupoints located at the base of the skull
on either side of the neck are favored for relieving headache pain. It is
believed that energy must flow freely through these gateways to the mind in
order for a person to function well.
In one acupressure exercise known to relieve tension
headaches, the practitioner will place her thumbs against these acupoints and
press firmly in toward the center of the skull. As you allow your head to drop
slowly back, inhaling as you do, she will continue to maintain pressure. The
acupressure is released as you exhale and slowly bring the head all the way
forward to hang loosely.
As natural remedies for headaches go, acupressure moves such
as this are safe, non-invasive, and easy to learn. If you were practicing this on
yourself just now, you have just completed one of the many soothing yet
energizing acupressure routines a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner can
help you to learn.
Tension headaches are a reality of life. When they become
frequent and painful enough to disrupt your usual routine, you might want to
investigate acupressure; it is one of the most intriguing natural remedies for
headaches.
