Headaches
- Posted by Majella Farrell
- On June 3, 2017
- 0 Comments
- Alkalise, Anxiety, Aromatherapy, Detoxification, headache, homeopathy, Inflammation, KCR, Live Well Clinic, Massage, Migraine, Moods, PRM, Reflexology, relax, Stress, tension
Usually headaches are quickly remedied with painkillers that provide relief but no insight as to what caused the problem. Headaches can be caused by a wide variety of factors, but the overwhelming majority that require medical attention are either tension or migraine headaches.
A quick way to differentiate between the two is the nature of the pain. Tension headaches usually have a steady constant, dull pain that starts at the back of the head or in the forehead and spreads over the entire head, giving the sensation of pressure or a feeling that a vice grip has been applied to the skull. In contrast, migraine headaches are vascular headaches characterized by a throbbing or pounding sharp pain. Whatever the cause, the most effective method of preventing recurrences is to find its origin and resolve the underlying problem. Headaches are rarely serious, but if they persist or become unbearable, your doctor must investigate the cause.
A tension headache is usually caused by tightening in the muscles of the face, neck or scalp as a result of stress or poor posture. The tightening of the muscles results in pinching of the nerve or its blood supply, which results in the sensation of pain and pressure. Relaxation of the muscles brings about immediate relief.
It is sometimes difficult to achieve this relaxation of the muscles. It may be that the tension has been present for a long time and the muscles involved have ‘learned’ to spasm. It takes time to encourage these muscles to lose their tension. There are various ways to help this, try a massage and get an assessment your posture. If your posture is wrong and this is causing the muscle spasms then look at ways to help this.
Other common sources of headaches are digestive disturbances, food allergies and sluggish bowels. The influence or sudden withdrawal of all kinds of substance that affect the brain, including caffeine, nicotine and drugs can cause headaches. Blood pressure changes and low blood sugar levels also cause headaches, as can overstrained eyes or using a computer for long uninterrupted periods.
There are many ways to help alleviate and find the cause of a headache. I will mention a few that are easily accessed and some remedies that you can try.
If the headaches are caused by food or chemical sensitivities, you should try to identify these. The food sensitivity test carried out by the Electro Acupuncture method is very useful. A machine that measures the reactivity of the acupuncture points is used. The readings are recorded and then vials containing the different foodstuffs and chemicals are introduced to the circuit. If a person is sensitive to a food/chemical the readings change and this is recorded. This is commonly known as food ‘allergy testing’, a term I disagree with as a true allergy can and should only be treated and tested for medically. When I carry this test out in my clinic I then advise the client to look at the ingredients in their food and cleaning chemicals they are using and to try as much as humanly possible to avoid these for a period of at six weeks while they work on their nutrition and immune system support so that these sensitivities can be alleviated. If it is impossible for the avoidance of these sensitivities then I employ specific modern homeopathic treatments for their problem areas.
It is also the case that often the headache sufferer knows what food/chemical caused their headache and they use homeopathic treatments to help with this.
• One such remedy that I prescribe is called Spigelon. Spigelon is a complex remedy, which contains several homeopathic ingredients for headaches of various origins.
• Another homeopathic remedy I prescribe is called Menyanthes Compositum, this is an excellent remedy for headaches of various origins and seems to work very well for migraine headaches.
• Reflexology- I have a lot of clients who will testify that this wonderful therapy has helped.
• KCR – helping to bring you to balance
• Headaches caused by poor posture can be greatly helped by visiting your physiotherapist who will assess your problem and advise.
• Yoga is an excellent remedy for both posture and tension problems.
• Pilates is another useful exercise therapy for poor posture and tension.
• Try this home-based remedy;
Take a dropper bottle of the essential oil of Lavender. Put a drop on your forefinger, spread the oil on the other forefinger and rub the temples with the forefingers. This is one of the few times that an essential oil can be used neat( do not use on broken skin). If using on children you must dilute the oil. Alternatively, fill the inside ring of a saucer with room temperature water, put one drop of Lavender oil in this water, soak up the liquid with a face cloth and use as a compress on the head. Lavender oil helps with tension and high blood pressure and is very useful with headaches.
• Magnesium is reported as a useful remedy for headaches. There are many preparations available, seek advice as to which one suits you.
• Vitamin B complex can help some headaches; again seek advice to check suitability.
• Vitamin E and Coenzyme Q10 have been reported to help increase circulation and oxygen supply to the brain, so helping to resolve headaches.
• Ginger tea is useful for a migraine headache felt at the front of the head.
• An Epsom salts bath helps relieve tension and a warm bath using lavender and lemon balm helps relaxation of muscles.
• Occuloheel remedy widely prescribed for dry irritated eyes and allergic conjunctivitis can help to prevent headaches caused by eyestrain due to overuse of computers.
Finding the underlying cause of your headache will be effective in alleviating the problem. The next time you are suffering try to think of the circumstances. How do you feel? What have you eaten or been working with? Where does it hurt?
Live Well Clinic is happy to help you
Call 07759003457
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