If you experience regular headaches, keep a diary of potential triggers to help identify what could be triggering them and help your healthcare provider identify any possible sources of discomfort.
Pain relievers available over-the-counter or with a valid valid prescription are often effective at relieving headache symptoms. Combination medications may provide some relief while migraine abortive medication such as triptans may provide additional help.
Cold Compress
People suffering from migraine headaches or other forms of head, neck or back pain may find relief with cold therapy by constricting blood vessels – this reduces inflammation and pain by constricting blood vessels and restricting their flow to reduce inflammation and pain.
Water acts as a natural anesthetic, blocking pain signals to the brain and slowing them down, as part of the RICE method for managing post-injury pain management.
At home, one can create their own cold compress by filling a plastic bag with ice cubes and placing it under cloth or paper towel for skin protection. As another alternative, frozen vegetables or chemical packs that freeze on contact can also be used.
If applying an ice pack to sensitive areas such as eyes or neck, such as for example to avoid frostbite. Also effective against itching caused by conditions like eczema or mycosis fungoides is using cold compresses.
Warm Compress
Warm compresses can help loosen tight muscles and ease muscle tension that contribute to headaches, relieving headaches. If the compress becomes uncomfortably hot on your skin, simply take off for some time until it cools before replacing it again if desired. Repeat as necessary.
Cold compresses can be extremely helpful in treating migraines by relieving pain and decreasing inflammation through shrinking blood vessels. They also ease tension headaches by decreasing how often blood pulsates through your head and neck.
Eucalyptus oil boasts an invigorating, refreshing fragrance that can ease tension in the head and shoulders. The main compound found in Eucalyptus oil, 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol), has anti-inflammatory properties which may help ease sinus headaches; try using several drops in a humidifier or inhaling directly from its bottle to try relieving your symptoms. Since many headaches stem from tension in jaw or neck muscles, stretching exercises or meditation may also release chemicals which block pain signals in the brain – try inhaling directly from bottle or humidifier!
Massage
Massage is a relaxing treatment option that has proven successful at alleviating various conditions, such as headaches. Studies have demonstrated how various massage techniques may reduce migraine and tension-type headache frequency and severity.
Headaches may be caused by various issues, including stress, tension, sleep issues and diet. Utilizing relaxation techniques like biofeedback, yoga and meditation may help lower stress levels that contribute to headaches; massage may also provide great relief from headaches; self-massage routines provide another effective option for do-it-yourself relief.
Start by finding a quiet location to conduct your massage in, then relax your muscles by massaging any knots or tight spots that could be contributing to headache pain. Next, move onto temples using circular pressure relief movements in order to ease tension that might contribute to headache discomfort.
Over-the-Counter Medicines
Many headache medicines are available without a valid prescription from pharmacies; however, others require permission and supervision from healthcare providers to determine the most suitable medicine or combination of therapies for you. Your provider can recommend pain relievers, abortive therapies or preventive medicines to help decrease how frequently and intensely headaches strike you.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like Motrin or Advil and Naproxen sodium (Aleve), work by blocking substances in your body that cause pain, swelling and inflammation. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) also plays an essential role in helping your body perceive pain less acutely.
Some NSAIDs are sold as nasal decongestants and used by some to treat headaches. If used too frequently, though, too many doses could result in Medication Overuse Headache; so make sure you read and follow dosing instructions carefully when taking these NSAIDs.
