Natural Headache Relief - Migraine Help
If you're alive, you've probably had a headache at least once in your life.
Headaches seem to be a universal thing. You most probably have experienced a tension headache, from stress, or the kind of intense but fleeting headache that comes from eating something cold too fast.
However, did you know that there are at least 18 different causes of headaches?
We can get headaches from:
- caffeine
- indigestion
- stress
- alcohol
- food allergies (MSG is a big culprit here and is disguised in many of the foods we eat)
- eyestrain
- fever
- over-exertion
- dehydration
- hunger
- hypertension
- sinuses
- menstrual problems
- TMJ
- muscle tension
- allergic reaction to perfumes, cleaning products, car fumes, etc.
- infected teeth
- oral contraceptives
- improperly fitting eyeglasses
- outdated eyeglass or contact prescriptions
- or an injury to the head
Additionally, headache can come from congestion or imbalance in other parts of the body. For example, headaches at the temple may be related to TMJ, or temporal mandibular joint dysfunction. If the pain runs from the left shoulder up over the cranium to the left eye, gall bladder congestion may be a factor whereas liver congestion will sometimes manifest in headaches in the crown area.
Another form of congestion or imbalance in the body that can cause headaches, along with a host of other problems over time, is an overly acidic ph level. If you don't know what your ph level is, or are not familiar with how important this inner regulating function is for your health, learn more about ph balance.
And yet another cause of headaches menopause. I didn't know this till I became peri-menopause myself and started reading posts on a menopause message board. Though this is one symptom I haven't yet experienced, it is apparently quite common in menopausal women.
Constipation can definitely cause headaches, along with a host of other problems over time. If you are not having two to three regular bowel movements per day, you are constipated. You will learn a lot by reading a three part article: Detoxing and the Healing Crisis for helpful tips on restoring and maintaining good colon function.
Managing Headaches Holistically
Let's briefly discuss the most common type, tension headaches, and some ways of working to manage tension headaches holistically. However, whenever frequent and unexplained headaches occur, it is always wise to seek medical attention, to rule out any underlying physical problem.
Also, if you are under a doctor's care for any known condition, you should always check with your chosen healthcare professional before adding anything new to your daily regimen. It is my hope that you have chosen a natural medicines practitioner or a doctor willing to work with one to find the right combination of natural and allopathic options for your optimal health.
Tension headaches can be caused by quite a few things, most of them stress related. Physical, mental or emotional stress can cause a tension headache. Poor posture, for example, is one physical factor. Emotional stress, unresolved anger, worry and anxiety, depression and resistance to change can also trigger a tension headache. In addition, some food allergies can cause them.
So what can we do about tension headaches? Well, the number one suggestion is stress reduction, whatever it takes. The truth is that a lot of us, in today's fast paced world have become so accustomed to living in stress that we don't even realize when it has become damaging to our system. So, in order to reduce it, we first have to become more aware of it's effect. We do this simply by noticing our body.
Rhythmic and relaxing movement, such as Tai Chi or Qigong may prove beneficial.
Breathing is effected by stress so stop right now and see how you are breathing. If your breath is short and shallow or kind of "catches" at any point in the in or out cycle, you are stressed. Your breathing should be slow, rhythmic and deep. If you are continually breathing in a shallow way, you are not getting enough oxygen to your body and this can cause a headache, along with all kinds of little problems that, over time, can become big problems for your system.
Another way to begin to notice the effects of stress is to pay more attention to your physical body when you are in a "more than normal" stress situation. Some things you may notice: a tightening of the muscles in the solar plexus area, a constriction to the throat, changes in your heartbeat or an increase in pulse, muscle pain or spasm, and even momentary blurred vision or dizziness. When we are so focused on what is causing the stress, we can will ourselves not to notice what it is doing to our bodies. However, the good news is that we can also will ourselves to begin to notice.
After you tune in and see that something is stressing your body, then you need to learn to take immediate steps to counteract the stress. How? Deepen your breathing. Focus on constricted areas of tight muscles and mentally send a message for them to relax and let go. Step away from the immediate stressful situation, if at all possible, even for just five minutes, to get yourself calmed and centered.
Helpful Stress Reduction Exercises and Tips
Get out into nature. Take a walk. Hug a tree. Put your bare feet on the ground or, better yet, put them in running water. Nature has a way of calming us, bringing our rhythm closer to the rhythm of the earth.
Another important skill to develop is to remember to drink more water and more often. Water is vital to the normal function of our system, including our ability to handle stress. So drink more during stressful times. A good rule of thumb is divide your body weight in half, and that is the amount of ounces of water you should drink in a day. You also want to drink water that is clean of contaminants, so if you are not using a water cleaner of some sort, Learn About Water Filtration Systems.
Suffering From Migraine Headaches? Natural Headache Aids
You also want to take a good mineral supplement, you may find that colloidal minerals are amazing during stressful times, to help my body come back to balance. They have often helped with cramping and muscle spasms when applied topically, as well. Colloidal minerals are optimal because of their ease of absorption.
T.J. Clark has good minerals, if you would like to read more.
Infuse essential oils or just keep a favorite blend with you to sniff. Pure, therapeutic essential oils (and be sure they are pure and distilled at low heat, slowly!) when breathed in through the nasal passages, can affect our emotional state within 3 seconds. Nothing works faster. Lavender is perfect for relaxation and peppermint for those times when you may need to be more alert.
Mountain Rose Herbs has excellent oils.
Migraine-like headaches are believed to be the result of certain neural cells misfiring within the brain, causing Serotonin levels to fall, blood flow to increase and head pressure to mount. This natural headache remedy works well to balance this problem.
Another way to work with headaches and migraines is through hypnosis! A really good way of teaching yourself how to control your migraine headaches is with a program called, Ease Away Migraines with Hypnosis.
Also, if you suffer from joint pains or fibromyalgia, you might benefit from using the oils in conjunction with massage. A good massage assists in relieving tension. It's also so very healing and balancing to experience powerful massage techniques designed to help the body balance.
Read about a very simple way to do that, which we call The FibroEase Application. The FibroEase Application is not a massage technique but a special application of specific oils along with some stimulating movements that prepare the body to relax and let go so the effects of the massage will be deeper.
Massage, foot reflexology and Reiki are also just absolutely wonderful for a body under stress. Many of us consider getting a massage to be some kind of luxury but most of us need regular body work to remain at a level of energetic health. Some of you may not even know what foot reflexology is or what it does, but I think you will be amazed if you ever have a session.
We find a good reflexology treatment almost as relaxing as a full body massage but it takes less time and usually costs less, too. So it may be an alternative when finances are tight or time is short. We encourage you to make your health enough of a priority to get regular help from a good body worker. Reiki is a form of energy healing work that is also profoundly relaxing and you may find your mind is far better equipped to deal with a traumatic or mentally stressful time after a Reiki session.
Migraine Relief Tip: Try placing a cool cloth on the forehead, and putting the feet in hot water at the same time.
In closing: No article of this type can completely cover even one kind of headache but you at least have a few avenues of exploration in dealing with any headache you may be suffering from.
HeartCore Corporation may receive a referral fee on items we review.
| HealthyNewAge.com is © HeartCore Corporation 1998-2012
What do you think? Please enter your comments below.
If you want a picture to display next to your comment, get a free gravatar!