headache cures

[brightlywoven]

I seem to have had a relatively constant tension headache for the last couple of weeks, with no prizes for guessing why. While I'm confident it's nothing sinister, it's been going on long enough that I'm not happy to keep taking painkillers (because in this situation they tend to make it worse, causing a 'rebound' headache). So far the main thing that works is scalp and face massage ie. pushing really really hard on various points, which gives a 'relief' relaxation feeling.

Does anyone have any other symptom relieving suggestions?

Comments

[vescoiya.livejournal.com]

well are you dehydrated at all? as i know we me that can make tension headaches worse.

[dr-biscuit.livejournal.com]

Well coffee tends to help (more because there is a caffeine withdrawal element in the morning), but I know that's dehydrating, maybe will try more peppermint tea!

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

You can get menthol-type sticks for rubbing on your forehead. I don't know if they work for tension headaches, but Vicks can help with my sinus headaches.

I read a while ago of a technique for visualising your headache, "wrapping it up" and "throwing it away" - can't remember much more than that, though.

Neck rub? Warm bath?

[dr-biscuit.livejournal.com]

the rubs seem to help best. Can't quite manage the visualisation (am bad at that stuff), but something smelly might help, thanks!

[cealdis.livejournal.com]

I've found that lavender tends to help. Having showers too. Also, Lush do a very nice temple massage thing called "Flying Fox", which I found helped a hell of a lot when I was getting Argh-exam-stress (and associated headaches) last year.

Sorry not to provide more scientific help :(

[dr-biscuit.livejournal.com]

will have pre-bed shower! I'm pretty sure bad sleep quality is being unhelpful here, but not sure what to do about that... Will try lush too (mmm, smelly things)

[cealdis.livejournal.com]

Over-simplistic, probably, but do try a warm drink with honey just before going to bed.

[alitalf.livejournal.com]

Years ago I had a headache lasting weeks, and eventually it was just tension causing pain causing tension. The doc gave me a vallium (I think) tablet for its function as a muscle relaxant. I spend the best part of a day rather somnolent, but it broke the vicious circle so it was a day well wasted.

Presumably anything that relqaxed the muscles in the neck might help, assuming that muscle tension is a component of the problem. Back and neck rubs, alcohol in modest quantities**, something that really makes you laugh, any medication (you should know!) that relaxes muscle tension. Can't think of anything else.

** For decades I suffered from persistent backache, and knew that If I was drinking beer, when the pain stopped I needed to stop drinking in order to avoid feeling at all rough the next day.

[dr-biscuit.livejournal.com]

benzos and beer *best prescription ever*
I'm pretty sure this *is* muscle tension related, and maybe full body relaxation would help. In fact, I've been toying with the idea of splashing out on a deep tissue massage...Thanks for the advice!

[deepbluemermaid.livejournal.com]

I can recommend the two massage therapists at the St Clements osteopathy and massage centre, Chris and Al. They both do deep tissue massage. Half hour for a student is about £18; full hour is £30-35. More painful than enjoyable, to be honest; if you've got a lot of accumulated tension, they have to apply a lot of pressure to get the knots out. I've sometimes had bruising down my back, but it's worth it for the relief.

[deepbluemermaid.livejournal.com]

I find the adhesive cooling sheets you can buy at Boots to be useful. For a bad headache - when it feels like my brain is banging against my skull everytime I move - I lie down with a wet facecloth across my eyes, and one of those strips across my forehead.

My mother got awful headaches which were really based on neck and shoulder pain. When she got into doing Feldenkrais classes, which work to make you more supple and relaxed, the headaches became considerably less frequent.

You could look at getting a professional massage - there are some types of therapy which focus on the scalp, or you could get an ordinary therapeutic one that includes your neck and scalp.