How to relieve headaches naturally

If you suffer from chronic—or even periodic—headaches and you're tired of popping pills for relief, read on for how you can treat your pain naturally.

Before we can begin talking about treatment, it's important to understand there are different types of headaches and each responds to a variety of treatments.

1. Tension
2. Cluster
3. Sinus
4. Rebound
5. Migraine

The most common and least severe of headaches are tension headaches. Roughly 80% of the U.S. population suffers from tension headaches with women being the more frequent sufferer.

To treat recurring tension headaches without medication, consider making changes to your sleep habits, diet, or mood. Are you getting enough sleep? Are you eating enough and getting proper nutrition? How is your mood on a day-to-day basis? If tension headaches continue, consider consulting a chiropractor. It could be that your headaches are related to spinal misalignment or increased muscle tension.

The second type of headaches is cluster headaches. These can be quite painful and tend to strike on a regular basis for weeks or months at a time. You can recognize cluster headaches also with their typical one-sided pain; either on the left or right side of your head. While the cause of cluster headaches is still largely up for debate, we know that cluster headaches involve the trigeminal nerve in your face. 

When headaches stem from nerve pain, chiropractic care can be a fantastic option for treatment. Trigeminal nerve pain can be a result of misalignment in the spine's cervical region; where the nerve connects.  A chiropractic adjustment can properly align that region thereby relieving future cluster headaches.

Sinus headaches typically result from inflamed sinuses and are generally accompanied by a fever, runny nose, or swelling in the face. Sinus headaches often resolve by themselves when the inflammation of the sinuses has been reduced. If you're suffering from sinus headaches, the most popular natural remedies include drinking lots of fluids, using a dehumidifier, or inhaling saltwater nasal spray.

The next type of headaches are what we call rebound headaches. These are often a result of overusing painkillers. Despite being commonly linked with overuse of Motrin, Tylenol, and/or Advil, prescription drugs have also been known to cause such headaches if overused. Monitor your use of painkillers to avoid this withdrawal symptom.

​The final type of headaches is migraines. Often confused with tension headaches, migraines are in fact different from all other types of headaches. Those who suffer from migraines can attest to the pain intensity, vomiting, vision loss or aural effects, and extreme sensitivity to light.

But, when we look at what causes migraines, their origin is similar to tension headaches. Stress, sleep habits, diet, and muscular tension in the neck have all been known to impact ones’ likelihood of migraines. To prevent future migraines, consider making in these trigger areas and if you don't see improvements, consider consulting a doctor. Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to relieve muscle tension in the neck and is a good preventative measure.

If you're looking for a natural remedy, headaches and chiropractic care go hand-in-hand. While chiropractic care is not necessarily an option for treating all types of headaches, it is a great option for preventing future occurrences. Chiropractic patients who are seen for regular adjustments are better able to maintain proper spinal health and slow the buildup of muscle tension.

If you're suffering from headaches, please give us a call  at 541-343-5633 so we can help. Our doctors can work with you to relieve muscle tension and improve your pain.