When you have a terrible headache, it can be difficult to go about your daily life. Sometimes painkillers or a scalp massage just won’t work. Here are some other treatments that may offer relief.
Exercise
Working out is probably the last thing you feel like doing when you have a pounding headache, but it actually might relieve it. We all know that exercise has many benefits. It can reduce muscle tension and anxiety, increase blood circulation and relaxation. Most importantly, exercise releases endorphins, which are the body’s natural pain killers. Endorphins are also thought to help reduce stress and promote a sense of well-being.
Stretching
Sometimes neck tension can go hand in hand with headaches. To stretch your neck, first turn your face slowly to the right and hold for a few seconds. Then turn your face to the left. Return your head to center. Next, tip your head to the right. Try to make your right ear touch your right shoulder. Hold for a few seconds. Do the same on the other side. Then, take drop your head forward and try to touch your chin to your chest. Release your head back and look up at the ceiling. Finally, do some head rolls. Slowly release your head down, to the right, back, and to the left. Then switch directions. Stretching a couple of times a day can help to relieve tense muscles.
Relaxation Exercises
Deep breathing is another way to relax tense muscles. Try taking a deep inhale through your nose for 5 seconds. Next, exhale through your mouth for 5 seconds. After repeating this 8 times, you should feel more relaxed. Another relaxation exercise is tense and release. Tense all of the muscles in your face. Squeeze your eyes tight, wrinkle your nose and pucker your lips like you took a big bit of a sour lemon. Hold your face in this position for 10 seconds. Then breathe and relax your face. Repeat this as many times as necessary.
Heat and Cold
Medical professionals often disagree about when to use heat and cold, and which works better. Some say that it is even an individual choice, depending on what you feel you need on a case-by-case basis. Cold reduces inflammation and heat increases blood flow, so they can both be beneficial in certain circumstances. Place either an ice pack on your forehead or a heating pad on your neck for 15 minutes.
Long-term Treatments
If you experience chronic, daily headaches, some of the above listed treatments may not be feasible. Suffering head pain on a regular basis can reduce your quality of life and ability to perform essential tasks. If you suffer from chronic headaches, you may want to consider long-term treatment. An expert from Nexus Pain Specialists says studies have indicated that minimally invasive treatments, like Botox injections, are effective at relieving headache pain. When painkillers and other headache treatments aren’t enough, long-term solutions may be key to alleviating your headaches.
Relief is a personal choice. Try all of these and discover which one works best for you.
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