31 Dec Alternate options for headache relief

A couple of weeks ago I had a terrible headache. Not just a regular one, but a special one. I have it every now and then.
I recently discovered that I could relieve the pain, by massaging my forehead. And – even more effective – to do so with my knuckles. Either way, very painful, but after a while, I can feel the tension slowly leaving my head.

Sometimes the dull and throbbing feeling is behind both eyes. This time it was just one eye. Nevertheless, very painful and debilitating.
After a long night, I was shocked to see my face in the mirror. My forehead had many purple mini bruises from the forceful massage …
And this triggered me to see if I could find alternate solutions to relieve the pain.

I learned that this type of headache is called a cluster headache. And that it is relatively rare.
I reached out to my network and wanted to share the various ways which are used to alleviate this type of headache. Especially, as – for me – paracetamol and/or ibuprofen do not work in this case.
And, many – if not all – may also work for ‘normal’ headaches.
Please use these tips to your advantage!

💦 Drink water, lots of water. Not only when you have a headache, or feel one beginning. Always. We are 70% water, so our body needs water!

🧊 Cool your head. Use an icepack. Tip: place an one on your forehead for 20 minutes and then one at the base of your neck for 20 minutes. Bonus tip: placing an icepack on your liver has been mentioned to accelerate recovery.
🧊 Peppermint essential oil has cooling properties. Please always use a carrier oil. DoTERRA has a specific oil blend for headaches: PastTense. The RC oil blend from Young Living has also been recommended.

🤚 Massage your forehead, scalp and/or base of your neck. I sometimes use my fingertips, but often use my knuckles. Painful, but worthwhile in the end.
🤚 Place your legs & bum against the wall for 20 minutes. It relieves (physical and mental) stress and tension. Listen to a relaxing music if you can. Google legs up wall pose.
🤚 Ground yourself to the earth: take your shoes off. Walk barefoot. Outside if possible.
🤚 Exercise. Or at least move your body. To get blood flowing and for oxygen supply.
🤚 Foot massage: either do it yourself, or better, have someone do it for you. Bonus tip: use a relaxing (essential) oil.
🤚 Do neck exercises to relieve any tension in the shoulder and neck area. Google neck drill.
🤚 Breathing exercises. It reduces stress levels and rebalances the nervous system. Google Wim Hof method.
🤚 Chiropractic care to – mainly – have your spine realigned.

🧘 Meditate for stress relief by redirecting your thoughts.
🧘 Visualize. Use mental images to relax body and mind.
🧘 Reiki. Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing.

👉 Tip from a dental hygienist: behind-the-eye headaches tend to be related to bruxism: teeth grinding and jaw clenching. A nightguard might help out.

💚 A daily glass of celery juice is nutrient packed and improves digestion and liver function. Google Anthony William.
💚 Magnesium. It is said to help the blood flow in the brain. There are many forms available. For me magnesium glycinate works well.

👩‍⚕️ See an optometrist to have your eye pressure checked.
👩‍⚕️ See your doctor. Tip: before making an appointment, start keeping a ‘headache diary’ for a few weeks: when do you get them (time, day/night), duration, location (and does it stay in one place or does it move around); how much they hurt on a scale of 1 to 10. Also record any other symptoms (nausea, dizziness), and if anything helps to relieve the pain (like paracetamol or sitting in a dark room). This information will make it so much easier for doctor to be able to give advice when you have a record of what’s been happening. 

I hope you don’t have a headache often.
But if this is the case, what do you then do?
I would love to read it!

Wishing you a fantabulous New Year’s Eve,
Much health,
Maaike

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