Natural Relief for Headaches

How can I get rid of my headaches without medication?

If you are a person who suffers from headaches you will know how debilitating and how inconvenient they are. They can affect you anywhere and anytime, even when you are on holiday. Some people take medication to alleviate the pain but some of these pain relievers can come with side effects.

What is the cause of these headaches? One of the most common causes of headaches is due to muscle tension in the neck and shoulders, which can be commonly linked to stress. Hormone fluctuations is also commonly linked to headaches.

If you do suffer from headaches, it is always wise to discuss this with your health care professional. Once your health care professional has ruled out any serious problem here are some natural alternatives to taking painkillers.

To target muscle tension why not try and visit your local Osteopath. They will be able to assess where the problem lies and use gentle massage and manipulative techniques to reduce the muscle tension. They will also be able to assess your posture and identify and factors that may have been contributing to the headaches. They may also give you exercises and stretches that you can do at home to relieve symptoms when you feel them.

It is accepted that stress and headaches are connected. Try and find some time in the day to relax, even if just for a few minutes. During your working day try and spare a few minutes to go outside and get some fresh air. Yoga, pilates and meditation are great for reducing stress levels and aligning the body. This will help to reduce muscle tension throughout the body including the neck and shoulders, which often leads to headaches.

A number of different herbs have also been found to be very helpful in relieving headaches. The first one Feverfew which is considered to be very effective in relieving headaches. It can be taken in a capsule or tablet form and if taken regularly can be used to help prevent migrane attacks. Another one is Willow (Salix). This is the precursor to aspirin and the inner bark of the white willow can provide pain relief for headaches. It also has an anti-inflammatory effect. Again this is usually taken in capsule form.