Headache is a common complaint in most people. There are 2 types of headaches: primary and secondary. Primary headaches are migraine, cluster and tension headaches. Secondary headaches are caused by an underlying disorder such as brain tumour, infection or injury. Tension headaches are the most prevalent type, afflicting men and women at some point in their lives. Most headaches are triggered by emotional, stress, environmental, chemical and food factors.
Tension headache is one of the most common modern health issues we face today. It affects our well-being, our productivity in our work, and even our social existence. After a headache attack us we feel so mentally drained and physically exhausted. Stress and anxiety are usually the causes for tension headaches. The moment one gets tense about something, one develops a tension headache. Insufficient sleep, anxiety, problems, and worries are the main tension headache symptoms that give rise to the tension headache.
Herbal remedies have been used for centuries and are making a comeback in recent years. They are readily available in many forms at your local health food or natural food store. Many are now available at pharmacies. Herbs can be used in many different forms. Tea is the most common. However, capsules are now available in almost every herbal formulation.
Lack of sleep is also a common cause of headache. Although adults need fewer hours of sleep than children, they should make sure that the sleep they're getting is of sufficient quality. Disturbed and often interrupted sleep is almost like getting no sleep at all. Sleeping at the right hours also helps.
Acupressure is very easy to do - locate specific points on your body (using an acupressure points chart or video) and press and rub them with your fingers for 1-2 minutes, several times a day. Common acupressure points for headache are located at the base of your skull, on your temples and on your hands and feet. These are the same points that are needled in acupuncture - the difference is you can do acupressure yourself, making it a convenient way to relieve and prevent headaches.
Move your left hand slowly counter-clockwise in a circular motion in the field over the painful area, for up to five minutes. This will help to clear and release the energy of the headache. When you feel the energy change or the headache abate, or when you just get the sense that it's time, put your left arm down. Using your right hand, reverse the motion and move it in a clockwise circle over the painful area, balancing the area you've just cleared.
Ginger relaxes blood vessels in the head and reduces swelling in the brain, and activates natural opiates in the brain that relieve pain. It can be taken in the form of tea or in tablets available at health foods stores; use fresh or powdered ginger when you cook, eat crystallized ginger, or put fresh-grated ginger in a drink. Ginger is useful for migraines as well as other headaches, and also eases nausea.
