Headache is a painful thing to have. Taking medication is often the solution that people go for every time they experience a headache. After all, it’s what doctors mostly recommend. While aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen can stop a headache in its tracks, over-the-counter pills cannot prevent the next headache from occurring. In fact, they could be the actual cause.
You read it right. Rebound headaches, or popularly known as medication overuse headaches, are a side effect of many medications for headaches. It makes sense why many headache sufferers seek natural remedies for migraines and headaches.
If you’re looking for all-natural treatment alternatives for headaches, check out this list.
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This is a basic life necessity. We all need water to survive every day. However, most people don’t get anywhere close to the recommended amount to drink. Headaches are one of the initial signs of dehydration. To make sure you are drinking the right amount of water, track your consumption for a week using a mobile app or your diary, and observe how often you have 8-12 glasses of water in a day.
Regular exercise can help keep the blood flowing so the brain has enough oxygen to function well. Even a 30-minute cardio workout each day can boost the body’s circulation. But before making a drastic change to your exercise habits, consult with a physician first. If you haven’t done any exercise in the last six months, don’t begin with a strenuous exercise routine. It’s best to start slowly, then increase your exercise duration and intensity over time.
This is another basic need in life that has been pushed into the background because of our modern lifestyle. The standard amount of sleep needed by adults is eight hours every night. Consistency is the key. To maintain your body clock and get a good night’s sleep, go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. Create a comfortable and quiet environment to sleep in. Keep the bedroom lights out, and put away your mobile devices before bedtime.
They weren’t kidding when they said this is the best medicine. Laughter is said to be an excellent way to get rid of your headaches. The idea is that as a person laughs, the brain receives more oxygen. One of the health benefits of laughter is increased blood flow and oxygenation to the cells and organs. Since reduced oxygen in the brain results in headaches, this may be a practical option.
Maintaining a healthy neck and spine is crucial when it comes to keeping headaches or migraines at bay. Follow these simple tips to maintain proper posture throughout the day.
There are many supplements you can take to avoid deficiencies that could cause headaches. Vitamin B is vital in producing neurotransmitters such as serotonin. Magnesium is another practical supplement. This nutrient plays a role in some of the visual and sensory changes that occur during migraine headaches. If you suffer from headaches and constipation, magnesium is good for the digestive tract. Be sure that you are taking the right amount as too much magnesium can lead to diarrhea. See a doctor before starting on new supplements.
Stress is the leading trigger of headaches; that’s why tension headaches are the most common type of headache. Aromatherapy can help in providing stress relief. Peppermint and lavender are two of the scents that many people find soothing. Use essential oils with a diffuser to maintain a steady flow of relaxing scents in the air. Consider your allergies when choosing scents. Avoid scents you are allergic to since a reaction can cause headaches and other unpleasant symptoms.
Most headaches and migraine cases begin following a neck or head injury. Injuries in these parts of the body can cause a misalignment of the atlas and axis, the uppermost bones in the neck. When a misalignment happens, it can cause a reduction in the blood flow in the brain, brainstem dysfunction, and abnormality in the cerebrospinal fluid drainage. All of these are underlying factors in the onset of headaches and migraines.
Many patients who received upper cervical chiropractic care have reported improvements in their symptoms after their C1 and C2 vertebrae were realigned correctly. Upper cervical chiropractors perform accurate and gentle adjustments that are long-lasting. This provides the body enough time to recover. Once the vertebrae are correctly aligned, blood flow and the function of the central nervous system are restored, and you can finally find some relief from your headaches or migraines.
Call an upper cervical chiropractor in your area to see for yourself if upper cervical chiropractic is the right natural option for your headaches and migraines.
TV show host Montel Williams describes how specific chiropractic care has helped his body.
The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.