Headache pain can range from a mild irritation to
teeth-grinding, day-stopping pain that makes normal function impossible. When suffering
headache pain, your first impulse may be to reach for medication, but did you
know there are several effective methods of treating headaches naturally? The
next time headache pain strikes try these suggestions for treating it without
medication.
The cause of your headache pain can help determine the
simplest way of treating it without medication. One interesting tidbit: no
matter what the underlying cause, new research suggests that disrupted
electrical activity in the brain may be the ultimate trigger of headache pain.
Some of the most common reasons for headache pain are:
·
Hunger
·
Anxiety and muscle tension
·
Physical exhaustion brought on by insomnia or
overwork
·
Eyestrain caused by too many hours at the
computer or poor lighting in your work/study area
·
Sinus or allergy triggers
·
Migraine symptoms
Treating headache pain with self-care techniques, rather
than medication, can be quite effective. Simple acupressure techniques such as
pressing your thumbs against the base of the skull while gently dropping the
head back then forward, may relieve the tension that has disrupted the brain’s
activity. Massaging the neck, jaw, and forehead can also be helpful.
Another way to find relief from headache pain is by simply
taking a nap or sitting quietly in a darkened room over a lunch hour. Others
find relief through meditation or relaxation exercises that reduce mental and
physical tension. One more time-honored way to relieve headache pain is to
apply heat or cold to the forehead and back of the neck.
For headache pain that persists, you may need to seek
professional help. Once it’s been determined there isn’t an illness or injury
causing the headaches to reappear, there are a number of non-medication based
methods they might prescribe for relieving headache pain.
A chiropractor might, for example, use adjustment, massage
and other therapies to relieve recurring headaches. Many medical professionals
are now using neurofeedback training to teach patients how to self-regulate
irregular brainwave activity associated with headaches.
An acupuncture or acupressure practitioner can also be
helpful in bringing relief to those for whom headache pain is a frequent
occurrence. And don’t forget to consult your massage therapist about the pain
you’re feeling; they can teach you a number of techniques for relieving the
muscle tension that may be at the root of your pain.
Headache pain can be caused by many things, and can be
relieved in a variety of ways, with or without medication. If you’re interested
in how to treat a headache without medication, try the suggestions above to
determine which best brings you relief.
