Natural Headache Remedies

By Sara Butler

As the chiropractors at The Joint will be happy to educate you about, medication overuse is a very common problem. That’s why it’s important to try effective natural treatments first, such as chiropractic, before reaching for over-the-counter medications. One common affliction causing people to reach for medication is headaches, but there are natural and effective remedies you should consider first.

Change Habits

Headaches can be an indication that your body isn’t getting enough of something that it needs to function at its best. It may be lacking water, certain vitamins, or even sleep. Fatigue, allergies, stress, poor posture, hormones, and low blood sugar can all trigger headaches.

Lifestyle changes don’t have to be drastic in order to make a big difference. You simply need to take a look at your diet, check your water intake, and think about how much sleep you’re getting at night. One of those things may offer insight into your headaches.

Use Ice

Ice packs have helped many a headache sufferer. If you suffer from frequent migraines or headaches, then simply apply an ice pack around your head where you’re feeling the pain. Just make sure to place a cloth or piece of fabric between your head and the ice to prevent hurting your skin.

Cayenne Pepper

This one may surprise you but mixing about a quarter of a teaspoon of cayenne pepper with four ounces of water and then applying the mixture around your nostrils can help relieve headaches. Cayenne has been found to stimulate circulation, which then helps to treat inflammation and pain.

Essential Oils

Some aromatic essential oils can be great treatments for headaches. Sinus headaches can be helped by applying diluted peppermint oil to the face. Frankincense is also a good choice to relieve stress for stress headaches.

A very popular oil for headache treatment is lavender. It’s great for migraines and can be added to an oil infuser to the room or added to a bath. Just a few drops on your pillow at night can even help. Just be aware that some oils, once applied to the skin, can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so always read the fine print!

Exercise

When you have a headache the last thing you may want to do is exercise, but it just might help! Regular exercise can reduce the frequency of headaches. Plus, going out and getting your body moving can get you away from your computer or other electronic devices, which has been known to cause stress and strain on the muscles in the eyes and face that may cause headaches.

Headaches can be treated naturally but if you try these remedies and they don't help, make sure you talk to a healthcare professional! 

To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Aurora, Colo.

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