Often felt as severe throbbing in the head, a migraine is painful and incapacitating. Here are 7 tips for relieving these much-dreaded headaches naturally.
The umbrella term headache actually covers a wide variety of symptoms – both in terms of location and intensity.
Moderately painful but very common, a tension headache can make you feel as if your head is in a vice, with the pain sometimes radiating down your neck. While tension headaches tend to be an occasional occurrence, this is not the case for migraines which are characterised by the chronic nature of attacks: they are more intense and mostly affect one side of the head, generating throbbing pain which is exacerbated by movement. They may be preceded by an aura, a collection of - thankfully reversible - neurological symptoms (flashing lights, numbness, speech impairment …) (1)
Though the exact causes of a headache remain difficult to pinpoint, there are now a number of recognized aggravating factors: intense emotion, poor quality sleep, environmental changes, bad posture and untreated vision problems. The good news, however, is that natural techniques exist to combat them!
Migraine attacks often produce photophobia and phonophobia - the inability to tolerate either light or noise (2). In such cases, you need to lie down comfortably in a quiet, darkened room, with the shutters or curtains drawn.
At the first sign of a headache, you can prevent it from taking hold by releasing any accumulated tension with a gentle head massage (3). Focus on the most sensitive areas, for example:
If you’re prone to headaches, you can use these massage techniques regularly in a preventive capacity.
It could be that your diet has something to do with your recurring headaches. Several studies suggest a link between a lack of certain vitamins and a propensity for migraines. Deficiencies in vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and vitamin D in particular, have been observed in migraine-sufferers (4-5).
To optimize your daily vitamin intake and boost your defenses against headaches, choose a multivitamin supplement (such as Daily 3, which contains no less than 12 vitamins and 8 minerals).
Through breathing, relaxation and visualisation exercises, sophrology helps you manage your headaches better, whatever form they take. You learn to distract yourself from the pain of an attack, as well as to control the ‘anticipatory fear of migraine‘ – a completely legitimate fear when the pain of a pounding head is all too common an occurrence. It’s worth noting that hypnosis can give excellent results too (6).
For relief of both mild headaches and severe migraines, applying a damp facecloth is a tried and tested solution. But should you use hot or cold water? It all depends on the type of headache!
For a tension headache, perhaps caused by too much work in front of a screen, a hot compress placed on the cervical vertebrae is excellent for relaxing over-tense muscles. Heat is also recommended for migraines accompanied by an aura which usually start with vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels).
Migraines without an aura, however, normally involve vasodilation (widening of blood vessels). Applying a cold compress for its constricting effect would thus seem to be the better option here (7).
Yet again, we have to mention our old friend stress as it plays a significant role in the onset of headaches and migraine attacks. In particular, stress produces neuro-muscular tension which can creep up to the head. It’s therefore important to protect yourself from its effects as much as possible. Nature has happily provided us with a formidable living pharmacopoeia which we should take full advantage of!
Very popular for its sweet scent, true lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) plays a role in relaxation and in promoting good quality sleep (8-9). Essential oil of lavender can be found in certain calming formulations (such as Organic Relaxing Oil Blend, a synergistic supplement combining essential oils of true lavender, mandarin zest and caraway, all organically-grown).
Naturopaths also recommend white willow bark, rich in salicin, a molecule chemically very similar to aspirin (opt, for example, for Willow Bark Extract).
From head to toe, the effects of reflexology are but one quick step away! According to this key discipline from ancient China, stimulating the reflex zone connected to the brain revitalises cerebral blood flow, thus helping to stop a migraine in its tracks(12).
You’ll find this reflex zone on the lower part and sides of the big toe. When pain strikes, massage these areas for 10 minutes using a plant oil or lotion. A safe and ingenious tip to keep in mind and have at your fingertips!
References
Keywords
15 Hours
The address correction app put in the incorrect address and I missed it when I hit the accept option. I noticed it when the order was already in route and called customer service to request that they change it to the correct address as the shipper and they were right on top of it. They called me back right away and changed the address. They sent a new email with the tracking information and called me to let me know it was all taken care of. Really happy with the product and customer service.
B Ball
1 Days
Fast service good products.
PERCY
7 Days
GREAT HONEST COMPANY!! FAST SERVICE!
HENDERSON B.
9 Days
EVERYTHING!! NO ISSUES!
DOMINIC
10 Days
The service has been good. However, the telephone and email responses were better before. Most of the products are great. Returns are processed promptly, and I do believe this is an honest and caring company. I plan to continue to buy your products.
DANIEL FORD
13 Days
My order arrived when promised in the condition described
Lisa
22 Days
10/13/24 Y ou were a bit slow to respond, but still helpful.
David Rolston
27 Days
I received wehat I ordered in a tiomely fashion. Great job to the whole staff 👏
Monica P
27 Days
Pomises products that work.Fast shipping. Will recommend to family and friends.
NEW Virginia
28 Days
Excellent product. Timely delivery. Only had one issue over the last few years. Great. Thanks
LEGG Jennifer
32 Days
I trust this company and product as I tolerate the bacillus coagulans very well and feel better overall when I am taking it . Thank you for offerring this product as a company . And thank you for an easy ordering process.
Barbara J
32 Days
Always fast & quick service/delivery. Top products
Brett
34 Days
The peanut sugar free one was very rancid tasting… the nuts were old. Everything else was amazing
MOORE Jennifer
37 Days
I purchase hyaluronic acid from Super Smart because it's the highest Dalton rating I could find. Shipping could be a day or two faster.
Kathy
41 Days
Fast shipping; availability of products.
Paul