Life can get pretty busy and stressful – especially at this time of year – and the “common headache” can sometimes be overlooked or masked with a painkiller. Still, a headache can be an indicator that your body is missing something – maybe you need to take a break, drink some water or change the way you eat. I know for me, changing my diet had an immense effect on my migraines.
As we have discussed before, headaches can be triggered by stress, fatigue, allergies, eyestrain, poor posture, alcohol or drugs, low blood sugar, hormones, constipation and nutritional deficiencies. Your body is telling you that something needs to change, so begin to listen to those signals your body is sending you.
Perhaps you have a vitamin or nutrient deficiency or a food sensitivity that is causing built-up tension. Consider including some natural headache and migraine remedies. These may include herbs, vitamins, posture correction, diet changes and more.
Magnesium is one of the most successful headache and migraine remedies. I take two per day, and not only does it help with migraines, it also helps with constipation, sleep and muscle cramps. Needless to say, it’s much safer to take magnesium than painkillers. People who suffer from serious headaches, like migraines, often have low levels of magnesium, and several studies suggest that magnesium may reduce the frequency of migraine attacks in people with low levels.
You can also increase your daily magnesium intake by eating more fiber. Dietary sources of magnesium include beans, whole grains, seeds, nuts and vegetables – like broccoli, squash and leafy greens – dairy products and meats.
Essential Oils can also be of benefit. The calming and numbing effects of both peppermint and lavender oils make them perfect tools for alleviating symptoms. Peppermint oil generates a long-lasting cooling effect on the skin, and research has shown that peppermint oil stimulates a significant increase in skin blood flow of the forehead, and it soothes muscle contractions. Lavender oil is commonly associated with its calming effect, and can even be of benefit for a better night’s sleep. Research has shown that the use of lavender oil is a safe and effective in alleviating neck and head tension.
These are just two essential oils that can be effective in alleviating head or neck tension. If you would like more information on essential oils, please email me at lwadsworth@verizon.net.
Chiropractic care is a drug-free and surgery-free path to healing naturally. The chiropractor can reduce oxidative stress in the body, just like an antioxidant. There are some clinical trials that have indicated that spinal manipulation therapy may help treat headaches. (One University of Maryland study showed that 22 percent of those who received chiropractic manipulation reported more than a 90 percent reduction of headaches and 49 percent reported that the headache intensity was significantly reduced after receiving chiropractic treatment.)
Chiropractic adjustments or spinal manipulation can help to alleviate the stress of your system. Studies suggest that chiropractic manipulation reduces tension and migraine headaches. If you live in my local Tampa Bay Area and would like some referrals to local chiropractors, please email me at lynne@holistic-healthandwellness.com.
For a more exhaustive list of natural and holistic remedies that you can easily incorporate into your daily lifestyle, check out my book, “The Ultimate Migraine Handbook An Holistic Approach to Pain Relief.” This is a comprehensive guide to natural relief and is currently on sale for $2.00 off for the paperback price. Check out the eBook on my Website, or to order the paperback at the sale price, please email me at lynne@holistic-healthandwellness.com.