Before considering natural ways to treat headaches – just how much of a problem are they? They are justifiably considered a major problem given that more people complain about and seek medical attention for headaches than any other ailment.
To put this into context there are approximately 45 million Americans complaining of headaches of all types each year. That works out to about one in every six people or 16.54% of the population. More than eight million Americans visit their doctor for complaints of headache each year.
Given that approximately 90 percent of all headaches are classified as tension-type headache (TTH), this is the type I will cover in this blog and investigate natural treatments for this condition.
What exactly is a tension-type headache?
A tension-type headache is typically experienced as pain in all areas of the head, may last for hours continuously and, in the worst cases, happen in excess of 15 days a month for up to three months.
Despite the obvious truth of the saying “a headache is not your body’s way of telling you that you are aspirin deficient”, physicians and pharmacists are more than willing to provide a plethora of pharmaceutical remedies ranging from mild “over the counter” analgesics to particularly toxic (and potentially addictive) prescription drugs.
Looking into the prevalence and cost of headache medication within the European Union a study found:
“In the EU, the total annual cost of headache amongst adults aged 18-65 years was calculated, according to our prevalence estimates, at €173 billion, apportioned to migraine (€111 billion; 64%), TTH (€21 billion; 12%), MOH (€37 billion; 21%) and other headaches (€3 billion; 2%)”
Serious money indeed!
Headache medication – the Good (relatively), the Bad and the Ugly
Let’s look at the plethora of headache medications, with particular regard to their potential side effects.
Over the counter medicines (mild to moderate pain)
• Aspirin
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• Ibuprofen
Prescription medicines (moderate to severe pain)
These are combination analgesics which are of limited use, particularly long term as they are potentially addictive and may indeed worsen headaches. These include:
• Butalbital (a barbiturate) combined with acetaminophen (and caffeine)
• Tramadol (an opioid) combined with acetaminophen
Prescription medicines (moderate to severe pain)
This is where headache medication takes a particularly ugly turn for the worse – the use of antidepressants and anticonvulsants! We’ll list this particular rogue’s gallery:
• Tricyclic antidepressants – an example being amitriptyline
• Β-blockers such as propranolol often combined with amitriptyline
• Divalproex sodium (an anti-convulsant)
Considering the vast array of potential side effects of medications being used to “treat” tension-type headaches, could it be that we shouldn’t be putting this toxic rubbish into our bodies at all.
Surely the answer is to find natural ways to (ideally) prevent headaches or treat them if they do happen.
Before we look at natural treatments for headaches it would be helpful to look at what commonly causes them in the first place. Common causes include:
● Lack of quality sleep
● Dehydration
● Caffeine withdrawal
● Excessive use of alcohol
● Nutrient deficiency
Top tips for the prevention of headaches
● Drink sufficient quality water to remain hydrated throughout the day – studies have shown that this is crucial in reducing the risk of headaches and at the same being of great benefit to your general health. Individual needs vary, so let your thirst be your personal guide.
● Eat regularly – the practice of under-eating and restricting calories can predispose to headaches. Avoid going for excessively long periods without eating which may cause you to develop a headache.
● Try to get the right amount of sleep – both lack of sleep and oversleeping may result in headaches. Ideally try to achieve 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night.
● Stress management – important as stress may be the underlying imbalance that triggers many tension-type headaches. some types of headaches and take a toll on overall health. Look at exercise, meditation and practices such as yoga to manage your own stress levels.
Clearly prevention, as always, is better than cure. What can you do to naturally treat existing headaches?
Natural ways to treat headaches without painkillers
There are many natural ways to treat headaches and include:
● Drink water – as with prevention of headaches this is of paramount importance. Make sure you drink enough water throughout the day and make a habit of eating water-rich foods like fruits and vegetables. Both of these measures are important also for your overall well-being.
● Limit your intake of alcohol – alcohol may increase the risk of onset of headaches, primarily through dilating peripheral blood vessels and contributing to bodily dehydration.
● Adequate quality sleep – too much or too little sleep may precipitate headaches. Insomnia has been shown in studies to be associated with increased severity of headaches and to be detrimental to your general health and well-being.
Ideally, one should aim for 7-9 hrs sleep per night.
● Use essential oils – these contain natural plant aromatic compounds. It has been demonstrated that especially peppermint, lavender, and eucalyptus essential oils are particularly therapeutic when you have a headache.
Try mixing the essential oil within a carrier oil such as jojoba and rubbing the mix on your wrist or temple.
● Using a cold compress for pain relief – to make a cold compress fill a waterproof bag with ice and wrap this in a soft towel. Apply this compress to the back of your neck, your head, or your temples which will provide headache relief by reducing any inflammation and constricting blood vessels.
● Try yoga – this is an excellent way to relieve stress, increase flexibility, decrease pain, and improve your overall quality of life. Additionally, a 2020 review found that yoga had a beneficial effect on tension-type headaches with respect to frequency, duration and intensity.
● Consider acupuncture – this traditional Chinese medicine technique involves inserting thin needles into the skin to stimulate specific points on the body and has been shown in many studies to be effective in treating chronic headaches.
● Herbal remedies – a 2020 review found that both curcumin (the active component of turmeric) and chamomile are effective as a preventive of headaches and also in the acute management of existing headaches and migraines.
● Taking ginger root – this wonder of nature contains many beneficial components including a wealth of antioxidants and anti-inflammatories.
Ginger has been shown to significantly reduce the symptoms of headache.
Try ginger root in hot water as a powerful and therapeutic tea which will also keep you hydrated!
You can also make a powerful tea using fresh ginger root. Not only is it cost-effective to make, but drinking the tea is a healthy way to stay hydrated.
Try any number of these measures in combination to see what suits you best as an individual. These will take a good degree of commitment and self-discipline however it has to be worth it to avoid poisoning yourself with toxic pharmaceuticals.
Please feel free to leave a comment on this article and please share this with anyone you know who may be interested.
“BE TRULY FREE – BE PHARMA FREE”