Headaches sound relatively benign or commonplace but anyone who has them regularly knows how debilitating they are. Having a headache makes daily tasks miserable, working on the computer exacerbates the pain, and interacting effectively with others becomes a challenge. Taking painkillers is not necessarily a bad thing and I don't intend to put anyone down for using painkillers to get through a tough work day, or even for popping them when the early signs of a headache presents. Sometimes it's the right thing to do.
The point of this article is more to provide some useful information about relieving headaches that addresses why they are occurring in the first place. This is important because while we just want the pain to go away during a headache (hence taking painkillers), we would also like to prevent them from coming again. Painkillers don't really address the cause and so they aren't really treating the actual pathology at hand. Some people also may have a good reason why they don't want to or can't take certain painkillers, so there has to be another way. It's important to remember that not all headaches are the same, and there are many different reasons why a headache may occur in a given body.
With that in mind, let's look at some things you can do during a headache, and most importantly, before the next one to alleviate it, or prevent the headache altogether.
DURING the headache
In case any of you have found this article in the middle of a painful headache, let's start with a couple of things to try right now.
1. Acupressure: If your headache is pounding or stabbing, it may be helpful to direct some of the pressure downwards and out of your head. You can get someone to help you with these or you can do them yourself.
On your feet, locate the webbing between your big toe and second toe and move your finger up until it runs into the notch of your bones. Dig your thumb or knuckle into the area and massage downwards towards the webbing. You can do this with as much pressure as you can handle for about a minute. Do both feet at once or one and then the other.
Next, on your hands, you will find the equivalent spot. Locate the webbing between your thumb and first finger and trace up to the notch in the bones. With your free hand, place the thumb on this point and your pointer finger on the other side so you can pinch the area and massage with pressure. Move it around slightly until you find the most tender spot. It may be quite tender so try to breathe and relax as you massage the area. Do this for about one minute on each side. The pressure and pain in your head may start to ease dramatically, or at least take the edge off.
Next find the points halfway between your spine and the edge of your shoulders (where your deltoids are, not your shoulders blades). You can also press down the sides of your neck to the top of your shoulders until you find a super tender point. Press straight downward and make small circles. It may be easier to have someone else do this on you, but you can do it yourself as well. You can do one or both at a time for a minute.
You can repeat these acupressure points several times if necessary.
2. Relax your eyes:
Our eyes are basically parts of our brain squeezed out into sockets that address the external world directly. They are designed to take in stimulus which gets converted into information in the brain, but they can get overworked just like anything else, and this can contribute to headaches.
If you're working during a headache, you need to give your eyeballs breaks. If possible, go away from the screen and go look out a window. If you're able to actually go outside and look at some trees, do that. This might sound a bit silly but there is reason behind it. In Chinese Medicine, the "Liver" system opens into the eyes. It is also regulated by the element Wood and relates to the colour green. Looking at greenery and trees outside truly helps regulate and smooth this Liver system. This system is the main influence over the stress response in our bodies, and often contributes to headaches, so you'll be helping two-fold.
3. Magnesium foot bath:
If you're really struggling and you're at home, get a big bowl or bucket and fill it with warm-hot water. After you put your feet in, dump in a cup of magnesium flakes. In Chinese Medicine, minerals are heavy and have a downward sinking nature. This can help bring a pounding headache down and ease the pressure. It will also help you absorb the magnesium which can help relax tense muscles around your neck and shoulders that could be causing tension headaches.
4. Caffeine:
This might seem like a weird one but it could be helpful for you in the right circumstance. If you're okay with caffeine, you drink it regularly, and it doesn't make you feel anxious and jittery, then you might try out a shot of espresso or a strong green tea. Don't do this for an actual migraine or if you're feeling nauseous or otherwise unwell. But if you've just got a headache, the caffeine can help constrict vessels and ease the effect of swelling, hence easing the pain. This isn't for everyone so don't try it if you're not sure how you go drinking caffeine.
5. Unclench your Jaw:
Take notice if you are clenching your jaw. Consciously open your mouth and let your jaw hang down. You can even open your mouth wide and then let it go slack. Use your finger tips to massage the joint where your jaw connects. If you're holding tension in your jaw all day long (and likely all night) it can very easily create headaches, especially in the temples. If you notice this is you, make sure to periodically check if you're clenching. Set an alarm in your phone, do whatever you have to do to keep relaxing these muscles so they don't aggravate your pain.
BETWEEN Headaches:
If you're reading this and you're not actually having a headache but you get them periodically, there are some things you can do to hopefully prevent them from coming back. Most of the tips above can actually be applied without actually having a headache. For instance, giving your eyes regular breaks, taking magnesium, unclenching your jaw, and doing acupressure or massage can all help prevent headaches from coming back.
It's also important that you're eating regular meals and sleeping adequately, and exercising the right amount for your body and lifestyle. Many types of headaches can be eased or completely eliminated by switching up a few things in your day to day life that you may not even be aware of. However, sometimes it can be overwhelming to know where to start, and this is why it's important not to do it alone. This is why I recommend working with a practitioner. So here's your next tip:
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine
Yes this is absolutely a plug to go see an acupuncturist. If you're local in Melbourne, come see me. If you're somewhere else, find someone easy for you to get to. The reason this is so important is that a Chinese Medicine practitioner will examine you, make a diagnosis and create a treatment plan that both addresses your symptoms, and also corrects an underlying pathological mechanism that is leading to your headaches, and likely other health issues as well.
Depending on the nature of your headaches, your acupuncturist may use acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion, blood letting, gua sha, or electro acupuncture to do whatever is needed be that easing muscle tension, improving the flow of blood and lymph fluids, calming down inflammation, reducing stress etc. In addition, your practitioner may prescribe you a herbal formula to help improve the function of certain organ systems, nourish your blood and fluids, move stagnation, clear pathogenic factors, calm your spirit, and relieve your pain.
The best part is that your Chinese Medicine practitioner will also investigate lifestyle factors that are likely contributing to your headaches and help you make feasible changes that reduce the causative or contributing factors. If they are doing their job properly, they will also refer you out to the right person if they determine that something else is going on beyond the scope of their practice, or perhaps work in conjunction with another type of doctor.
So to close this out, give a try to any of the tips above that seem relevant for you if your in the middle of a painful headache. Then, don't wait. Book in with your Chinese Medicine practitioner as soon as you can so you can start getting to the bottom of this and get yourself relief that lasts.
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