Natural treatments for headaches

(4/2018) Many people suffer from headaches from a variety of causes. Tension, weather, stress, injury, food and even medications can trigger a headache. Tension and stress are probably the biggest cause of a headache. Work, kids, family members, financial pressures and just dealing with daily life can cause stress that will manifest itself in a headache. This type of headache pressure can sometimes be relieved by massage or aromatherapy.

Massaging the temples or the back of the head, neck and shoulders may relax the muscles that are tight and causing the pain to radiate to your head. Getting a massage from a certified massage therapist who has been trained to detect the tight areas in your muscles and how to relax them may just be the answer for you. If you prefer to try it yourself, a warm towel or aroma filled hot pack will help relax the muscles first and them you can find the tight tender spots on your neck or back and try to work out the tension.

Magnesium lotion is also a help to relax tight muscles but you should always check with your doctor before using anything that may conflict with any medication you are currently taking. A previous injury can also cause a headache and physical therapy and exercise may be the answer in relieving this problem. This is something you would definitely want to talk to your doctor about since it may require an x-ray or MRI to determine exactly where and what the injury may be affecting.

Medications may give some people a reaction that will cause a headache. Paying attention to how you feel after starting a new medication may be the key in knowing if you are allergic to it. Most pharmacies give you a list of the side effects but not everyone reacts the same. Something that most people do not have a problem with may react very differently for you.

Food can also trigger a headache for some people. I know first hand that even a food that seems very bland and simple can set off a bad reaction in some people. There are many ways to find a food trigger. One way is to stop eating what you think may be causing the reaction. This process can take a while but after eliminating what you usually eat for a month or so, try adding back one thing at a time for about a week and if you do not have the problem then add another food back. Continue this process until you figure out what caused your headaches and then avoid or at least limit the amount you eat.

There is also a blood test that will tell you what foods may cause you problems. This is a faster way to figure out what you need to stop eating if you have been suffering with the aches and just want the pain to stop. Usually after avoiding the trigger foods for three to six months so that your body is completely free from the irritant you can slowly start to eat the food again and you may be able to eat it on a limited basis.

Some people, however, may not be able to eat certain foods at all. I decided to write this article because I am going through a series of tests for foods that trigger severe headaches and I am hoping these tests with tell me what I am eating that cause my muscles to tighten up and cause shoulder and neck tension that give me headaches.

I hope some of this information will help any of you that may be having similar problems. Headaches are not the only way allergy present themselves. You may have a rash, stiff joints, swelling or any numbers of reactions to food or environmental triggers. Talk to a doctor if you are experiencing any health problems. Sometimes we think we are the only one having a problem when, in fact, many people are going through the same thing and there is an answer just waiting for you.

If you have any information to share or questions you can reach me at 717-334-6009. Remember to keep moving, that always helps.

If you have any questions or need help getting started, please call me 717-334-6009, or via e-mail at fitness@emmitsburg.net