Conquer Headaches and Migraines
Have you ever had a headache or migraine so bad it’s made you want to hide and crawl under a dark blanket?
Headaches and migraines can be so annoying and debilitating.
They often feel like they come from nowhere and can completely ruin your day.
But did you know this?
Headaches and migraines can actually come on because of shoulder and/or neck pain? – Usually, because those muscles are tense most of the time!
If you have suffered from neck and/or shoulder pain or have experienced tension in your neck, often the pain can travel up from your shoulders and/or neck to the top of your neck where your spine meets the back of your head.
You might notice this as a feeling that your head feels very heavy.
If the pain persists, then it is very likely to cause a headache.
Can Diet Cause Headaches?
Something to consider when thinking about headaches and migraines is how you eat.
Some foods such as aged cheese, salty and processed foods can provoke a headache or migraine.
Don’t think it’s only food though!
Highly caffeinated drinks and alcohol can also bring them on! On average, we are supposed to be having up to 3 caffeinated drinks a day.
Any more may play a strong part in getting that annoying headache or migraine we all hate so much!
Warning Signs Of A Headache Or Migraine
I’m going to let you in on a little secret here, that might take you by surprise…
Did you know that you can get warning signs, 1-2 days beforehand of an upcoming migraine?
This might be quite tricky, depending on when you last had one, but can you think about how you were feeling a few days before your last headache or migraine?
Some of these subtle signs could be:
• Constipation
• Drastic mood changes
• Unusual food cravings
• Neck stiffness (like I’ve just mentioned above!)
• Increased thirst
• Frequent yawning
This could be a simple way to identify an upcoming headache or migraine and do something about it before it strikes and derails your day.
Natural Ways To Stop Headaches And Migraines
However, if you don’t get any warning signs then don’t worry!
Here are a few other ways you can stop headaches and migraines fast, without the use of painkillers!
Heat Therapy For Headache Relief
This is something that is very simple to do and some of you have probably already done some form of this without realizing it!
Heat therapy is applying heat to where it hurts, in this instance, your head.
Another form of heat therapy would be having a hot soak in the bath or having a hot shower.
If you would prefer to apply heat directly to the pain then here’s a quick tip I use…
This may sound funny but apply a hand warmer to where it hurts.
They are cheap enough to buy and all you have to do is crack the hand warmer for it to heat up.
They normally come in a cloth pouch so you won’t scold yourself and it’s the perfect size.
Think of it as an ice pack for your face, but hot!
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is one of the best ways of getting rid of a headache and migraine.
The reason?
A lot of the time your headache or migraine pain is coming from elsewhere such as your shoulders or neck.
Although you could go and see a beautician for a massage or go to a spa even, the beauticians don’t apply the right pressure to ease the pain.
This isn’t their fault, they’re just not trained in this field…
Whereas our expert physical therapists are!
Once a physical therapist has eased your shoulder and neck pain, there’s a strong chance that you will notice your headache or migraine has eased, if not gone!
Muscle Relaxation Exercises
Another great way to ease headaches and migraines is muscle relaxation exercises which include activities such as Yoga, neck stretching, and even meditation!
These help in a similar way that physical therapy does; it eases the root cause of your pain.
Again if your muscles are relaxed, there is a stronger chance that your headache or migraine will be eased.
This is because your muscles are not tense anymore and are in a more relaxed state.
This is key to easing headaches and migraines and often gets overlooked, so listen up!
However, these muscle relaxation activities do have their limits, because while your headaches and migraines might be caused by muscle tension, for a lot of people those are other contributing factors.
With our team, we can identify and address every single root cause, which enables us to have a much higher success rate with our patients in comparison to alternatives that only look at one potential issue.
Get Better Sleep
Another great tip is to keep your sleeping patterns consistent.
Try to get between 7-8 hours of sleep a night and you’ll be good, but make sure it’s on a regular basis.
Changing your sleeping pattern can leave your body confused and can sometimes compensate by sleeping more one day if the day before you woke up tired.
Keep A Headache Or Migraine Diary
It may seem obvious but this is a good way to go.
Not only will you have the chance of seeing what causes your headaches, but you will be able to see if you get any warning signs a few days before.
It’s a win-win situation!
If you can identify activities that trigger your headaches, you can then find out how to correct the problem so you can do these things without the aftereffects of a painful headache.
IMPORTANT – If you identify an activity that triggers your headaches or migraines, you shouldn’t have to avoid it completely in the long term. With physical therapy, we can actually work with you so that you are able to do the things you love, without triggering headaches and migraines.
Have A Daily Routine If You Struggle With Stress
By creating a routine, you will be organized and less likely to get overwhelmed or stressed with any tasks you need to complete.
With that in mind, be realistic with your routine as it needs to be something you can stick to.
Having a daily routine also gives your body an indication of when to eat. This helps so that you’ll never skip a meal which can sometimes result in headaches and migraines too.
The Fastest Way To Stop Headaches And Migraines Without Pills
If you are struggling with headaches and migraines regularly, or when they do strike, they completely knock you off your feet for days, call us and request to schedule a FREE discovery visit.
We have 4 locations, conveniently in Boise and Meridian, to serve you and to help you jump-start your way to a pain-free life!
Don’t Forget To Grab Your Free Neck Pain Report
We’ve talked about how neck pain can lead to headaches and migraines, so why not download our Free Expert Neck Pain Report which contains 10 quick, easy ways to end neck pain and stiffness without painkillers?
Click Here To Download Your Free Neck Pain Report
More Resources For People Who Want Live Pain-Free, Active Lives
Read our blog – Say Goodbye To Persistent Stress-Related Headaches