Home Remedies For Headache Treatment
Headache Prevention
Learning about headache prevention is key to survival and an also excellent way to nurture yourself. We encourage incorporating these three self-care strategies to reduce the power of headaches in your life and take your power back.
Read More about Pressure Points for Headache Management.
1. Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of water. This is truly a number one priority, best facilitated by carrying your own water bottle. You can also be replenished by eating hydrating foods such as cucumber, celery, cauliflower, watermelon, plus starfruit, strawberries, baby carrots, spinach, and cantaloupe.
Be aware that some fruits can trigger migraines or headaches such as raspberries, red plums, kiwi, bananas. Be mindful of dehydrating foods and beverages such as coffee, alcohol, cured meats, popcorn, and soy sauce.
2. Reduce Stress Load
Mental and emotional stress takes a toll on the body and can trigger headaches and migraines. If your work is a major culprit, try taking mini-breaks by walking to the water cooler to fill your bottle, taking a walk, eating away from your desk, and even standing up to stretch your arms and neck every hour.
If your home or family life is feeling more like a burden than a blessing, find small ways you can start shifting the mood and cultivate an air of self-care. This includes both rest and action. Mindfully create your own space, an area just for you to be and feel like yourself. Stay on top of to-do’s, taking action helps to relieve stress. Is there something you can do today to check off a financial matter or tackle a chore that has been lurking on your list? Take care of it if you can, and don’t be shy to ask for help. If you need extra help at home, have a heart-to-heart with your partner, housemate, or kids. Good luck getting the cat to do any laundry. Also, be sure to set aside time for fun, and schedule a game night, something that will bring some good healing laughter!
Hormonal imbalance can also trigger stress and headaches, be sure to eat enough healthy fats and prioritize sleep. Adding even five minutes of mindfully sitting in meditation can do wonders to center and calm your body. Start small, and start today!
3. Address Structural Imbalance
Misalignment in your neck can be a primary trigger for headaches. We all carry tension in our bodies in different areas. If you find that your shoulders are often tight, or that your neck mobility is limited when you move from side to side, there are things you can do to bring your body back into alignment.
Adopting a daily stretching routine, no matter how short, can help to reduce tension in your body. Try some neck rolls, tilting your head to the right while placing your right hand on the top of your head to get a little resistance, so you are pushing gently against your hand. And, switch! Dr. Jerry Thomas Weider Jr DC offers a headache-specific stretching regimen, which will be shared at our upcoming Headache Workshop.
You can also add Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, Acupuncture, and Massage. If you have a stiff neck, experience shooting neck pain, or have chronic headaches or migraines, we recommend having your alignment assessed professionally by a Seattle Chiropractor. A Chiropractor can detect and correct spinal misalignment safely and effectively.
Don’t let another Summer go by in pain or locked away in a dark room! Incorporate these prevention tools, and come to our free Headache Workshop to learn more.
- (206) 783-6000
