A headache is a constant, throbbing, sharp, or dull pain in the head or face. A headache’s kind, intensity, location, and frequency might vary greatly. It is a prevalent condition that many people may experience throughout their lives.
Headaches can range from mild discomfort to extreme intolerability and can disrupt your daily routine. But you should take headaches seriously and treat them. Here, we will discuss some effective treatments for headaches.
Try Massage
You can try a message yourself. A few minutes of forehead, neck, and temple massage can help relieve a tension headache, which may be caused by stress. You can also gently rotate the part that hurts. Your shoulders and the base of your neck are also excellent spots for improvement. You should try it with a complex treatment ball or vibrating instrument.
Another technique that may help you eliminate a headache is an acupressure message. Try gently pressing or rubbing with the palm of your hand in the “V” where your thumb and forefinger meet.
Take some Magnesium
Magnesium is an essential mineral that the body needs for many processes, including blood sugar management and nerve transmission. Interestingly, it has been proven to be a safe and effective remedy for headaches.
Research indicates that migraine sufferers are more likely than non-migraine sufferers to have a magnesium deficiency. The study also shows that various doses and forms of supplemental magnesium treatment can effectively decrease the frequency and severity of migraine headaches.
However, some people may experience digestive side effects such as diarrhea while taking magnesium supplements. So, when treating headache symptoms, it’s advisable to begin with a smaller dose and consult a healthcare professional for any dosing-related questions.
Manage Your Stress
The American Migraine Foundation reports that stress is responsible for triggering symptoms in approximately 70% of migraine sufferers. It may even create a cycle in which stress exacerbates migraine discomfort, which then activates another migraine.
Whenever possible, it is best to avoid conditions that may cause stress. Finding outlets like journaling, working out, and meditation may be beneficial. Other stress relief approaches include taking a warm bath, listening to music, or breathing. Stress management classes are helpful for some people.
Get Your Medications Checked
Understanding if your medication has a headache side effect can relieve pain. If you are taking the headache medicines excessively, you may be mistakenly worsening your pain.
These headaches are also referred to as medication-overuse headaches (MOH). They are commonly known as analgesic rebound headaches, drug-induced headaches, or medication misuse headaches.
Talk to a doctor about how to safely stop taking the medication if you’re concerned you may be abusing or overusing it. In addition to consulting your doctor, consider seeking alternative treatments like chiropractic services to address headache issues. Consequently, overuse of medicines can cause more headaches such as.
- Acetaminophen
- Aspirin
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Opioids
- Sleep medications
- Triptans
Use Chiropractic Care
A chiropractor can assess, identify, and treat headaches. Chiropractic care, including manual therapy, has been proven to be effective in treating cervicogenic and tension headaches. Additionally, studies indicate that receiving chiropractic care can help reduce the frequency and severity of migraines. The treatment possibilities may comprise:
- Manual therapy
- Soft tissue treatment
- Modalities including electrical stimulation, acupuncture, and ultrasound
- Rehabilitation
- Lifestyle fluctuations and education
- Referral and co-management
It’s important to treat headaches carefully. Consult a chiropractor if headaches often occur, you take pain relievers frequently, your patterns change, or your symptoms worsen.