09 May Headaches & Migraines Fix
A great read for anyone wanting natural ways to relieve headache/migraine pain!
Migraines can present themselves in different ways, but the most common indicators are:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sensitivity to light and sound
The pain is most commonly on one or both sides of the head and it can go from moderate to severe. They can last anywhere from 4 to 72 hours.
For migraines or vascular headaches, it is advised to use a cold compress on the base of the neck as well as heat on the extremities (feet, hands, etc). The heat will force the excess of blood to leave the head and the cold compress will prevent the fast return to the head.
Headaches can be more commonly divided into Cluster and Tension headaches.
- Cluster headaches can make you feel very congested. Your eyes may look red and watery from the pressure. The pain is described as severe, is mostly felt behind one eye, and the duration varies from 15 minutes to 3 hours
- Tension headaches can come with a sensation of tightness across the forehead or the sides and back of the head. These can last from 30 minutes to over 1 week, depending on the severity. The pain is described as mild to moderate
For tensions headaches, it is usually advised to apply heat on the hyper tense muscles of the jaw, back of the neck, or sometimes even on the upper back and near the shoulder blades.
TIPS TO RELIEVE HEADACHES AT HOME:
- Eyebrow Rises: You want to raise your eyebrows and hold for 5 seconds, then relax and repeat 3-5 times. This helps relax the muscles of the forehead that tense up from frowning
- Squint & Shock: Squint your eyes tightly and hold for 5 seconds, then open them in a shocked expression, hold for 5 seconds and repeat. This targets the orbicularis muscles and releases the frontal tension headaches.
One of the best treatments for these two conditions is Massage. Massage therapy can provide relief from intensity, duration and frequency. The effects from the massage are felt long after the treatment has ended, and will help with the relaxation of all the muscles that can trigger a headache again!