How To Get Rid Of A Headache: 17 Quick And Natural Remedies
Headache is one of the most common pain experienced by people all over the world. A person can feel this pain in their head, usually around the area of their temples at any point in the day. Its causes can be many. Usually excessive stress, unhealthy, lack of sleep, and dehydration are its most common causes. However, chronic headache can also be a symptom of an underlying health condition.
The medical community has categorized headaches into various kinds. Migraine headaches are the most intense and there are many people who suffer from this kind of headache. How to get rid of a headache is a common question that migraine sufferers ask. Apart from medications, there are various natural remedies that you can use for bringing about headache relief.
Natural Remedies for Headaches
A woman taking a massage, Credit: Canva
If you are someone who is dealing with headaches on a daily basis, it is important for you to determine the cause of it. People suffering from headaches for a prolonged period of time, usually wonder, why won’t my headache go away? It may be that you are not able to identify the right treatment for yourself, or are not making changes in your lifestyle. It is important for you to consult your doctor if you find that no amount of over the counter medications or natural remedies is able to provide you adequate relief.
Given below are some of the most effective remedies that will help you seek an answer to the question, how to get rid of a headache.
1. Head massage
Can you rub out a headache? With a head massage services, you indeed can. 30 minutes of head massage will help you to experience decreased pain, intensity, and tension in your head. A scalp massage is very effective in providing relief from migraine pain. It eases the tension that is present in your neck, shoulders, and jaw. This tension is what causes a headache to develop.
2. Acupressure
It is a technique that makes the use of pressure to certain parts of an individual’s body. This pressure releases the muscle tension and consequently the pain. Where is the pressure point to get rid of a headache? This pressure point lies in the place that is between the lower part of the left thumb and your pointer finger. If you apply pressure here from your opposite hand, you will find much relief from your pain.
3. Making changes in your diet
If you find yourself suffering from headaches on a frequent basis, it is necessary to examine what diet you are consuming on a daily basis. Food and drinks like chocolate, alcohol, caffeinated beverages, and junk food all trigger headache in many people. Reduce the amount of these food items or eliminate them for some time to experience relief from headache.
4. Drink water
Sometimes, the answer to the question, how to get rid of a headache can be as simple as drinking enough water. You need to make sure that the balance of electrolytes in your body is optimal. People who consume alcohol are especially prone to dehydration and the resultant headache. By drinking more water, they can help themselves get relief from it.
5. Hot compress
Another easy way to find relief from headache is to apply some hot compress to the area that lies at the back of your neck. You can also apply it on your forehead. The compresses work by relaxing the buildup of tension and vasoconstriction.
6. Medicinal herbs
According to the ancient Indian tradition, headaches are a result of mind-body disharmony. It can be treated by using various medicinal herbs that reestablish the harmony between the mental and the physical being of a person. Herbs like rosemary, lavender, coriander are recommended to be used in food to attain relief from headache.
7. Yogic techniques
You can control your headache and prevent it from occurring again by practicing yoga daily. The yogic exercises are designed to exert pressure on the glandular systems of an individual’s body. Various yoga poses and neck exercises ease tension and strengthen organs like the spinal cord while activating the nervous systems. It immensely helps in releasing pain from the head.
8. Garlic and ginger treatment
Garlic and ginger are two potent herbs that can help in alleviating headaches of all kinds. How to get rid of a headache using these herbs? You can consume the juice of garlic or ginger tea. Ginger can also be applied externally. Both these herbs act as painkillers.
9. Acupuncture treatment
Acupuncture is also a natural treatment to help people get rid of headaches. Its effectiveness has been reported in various studies. People with migraine can find their headaches reducing in frequency after this treatment. You can avail it by finding a reliable acupuncture practitioner near you.
10. Magnesium to ease headache
One should always eat a whole food diet that has all the essential nutrients. It will help in preventing the development of deficiency of any crucial vitamin or mineral. It has been observed that magnesium deficiency can trigger various kinds of headaches. Magnesium supplementation is very useful for decreasing the occurrence of migraines in people.
11. Vitamin E for women
Many women face menstrual headaches. To get effective relief from this type of headache, vitamin E, if taken in the recommended amount (400 units) for a period of five days when they are nearing their menses can help immensely in minimizing the occurrence of a headache.
12. Vitamin B complex for migraine
The B vitamins are largely responsible for balancing the neurotransmitters in the brain. Many studies are being conducted to conclude their effectiveness in reducing pain. It has been reported that B complex vitamins can indeed play a role in alleviating the severity of migraine headaches.
13. Quality sleep
Another simple answer to this question, how to get rid of a headache is by taking adequate rest. If your body does not receive complete seven to nine hours of sleep regularly then you will experience more headaches than usual.
14. Warm cow milk
Cow’s milk, when warmed and given to a person suffering from headache will significantly help them in getting relief from it. It is recommended to drink one glass of warm milk before going to bed. It will also facilitate a night of sound sleep and help you wake up the next morning feeling refreshed.
15. Coenzyme Q10 supplementation
It is an antioxidant that is generated inside a person’s body. It creates ATP which your body’s cells need to function properly. CO10 supplementation will stop the chemical reactions that are causing you to experience a headache from taking place. Hence, you will experience relief from it.
16. Avoid high histamine foods
You might find yourself always seeking the answer to the question, how to get rid of a headache if you consume foods that are high in histamine. Cheese, fermented foods, wine, and meat are all high in histamine. Limit or avoid their consumption if you are experiencing a rise in your headaches.
17. Essential oils for reducing headache
Oils like peppermint and lavender are very beneficial in helping you get relief from the headache. Gently massage these oils in your temple area to experience a significant reduction in the intensity of your headache.
How Long Does It Take for a Headache to Go Away
A man with his hand on the head, Credit: Canva
There are various kinds of headache. A mild headache will not take more than a few minutes to go while a serious migraine will take up to as long as 15 days to get over. If you are experiencing chronic headaches without any probable reason, then it will be a good idea to consult a doctor.