One theory is a malfunctioning pain filter that is found in the brain stem may cause the pain. The thought is that the brain misinterprets information, from muscles, and interprets that signal as pain.

Serotonin is thought to be one of main molecules involved. This is evidenced by the fact that tension headaches can be successfully treated with some antidepressants. Teeth clenching is another theory as a cause for tension type headaches and migraine as it causes chronic contraction of the temporalis muscle.

Nonprescription painkillers such as aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen commonly relieve tension headaches. When severe muscle contraction occurs, stronger prescription drugs may be needed. However, there are side effects associated with these stronger drugs, namely drowsiness and slower reflexes. Therefore, most physicians will only recommend using strong medications for short periods of time and usually not for more than a few days.

Stress management can be very effective. Some people find exercises or meditation to be very relaxing. Biofeedback may improve relaxation exercises and can prove helpful for chronic tension headaches.

Other preventive measures you can try include keeping warm if your headache is associated with the cold. Try using a different pillow or changing your sleeping position. Adopt correct posture when reading, working or doing other activities that may cause headache. Exercise your neck and shoulder muscles when doing prolonged typing, computer work and when doing any close-up work. Getting enough sleep and massaging sore muscles can help reduce a headache occurring. Hot or cold showers or baths may relieve headaches too, so it’s worth experimenting to see if either help you.

Over-the-counter medication such as aspirin, ibruprofen, or acetominophen may relieve pain if the above-mentioned preemptive measures are ineffective. Sometimes antidepressant medication may be advised for the relief of chronic headaches.

Keeping a diary of your headaches can help identify the source of chronic headaches. When you suffer with a headache write down the date and time the headache began. Also write down what you ate and how much sleep you got over the previous 24 hours. If you noticed any unusual symptoms or felt under stress, make a note of it too. Also, keep a record of how long the headache lasted and what made it stop. Having a headache diary available can act as a tracking device and you may find patterns that you should do more to avoid.

Some lifestyle changes may be necessary to reduce tension headaches. This may include getting enough rest and exercise and possibly a change in job or free time activities.

If you are suffering with headaches or migraines, you should first consult your primary care physician before taking other steps.

Headache pain relief is usually attained by using over-the-counter headache pain relief medications that are so easily accessible. However, these products don’t permanently cure headaches and are not without side effects. Over time, any medication can lose its effectiveness if taken too frequently.

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Today, to avoid unnecessary side effects, many people are looking for natural alternatives to headache pain relief medications. One of the most popular, and successful, natural headache remedies has to be aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is the art of using essential oils. It has been practiced for thousands of years. The liquids are distilled from plant materials to encourage better health as well as a feeling of well-being. Aromatics can be used while performing a soothing massage or by simply inhaling them. 

In fact, aromatherapy is now a popular and accepted form of alternative treatment for headaches. Essential oils such as Chamomile, Rosemary, Peppermint and Lavender are used to treat symptoms of headaches. There are combinations of these that also work very well, but it must have the exact right amounts or recipe. Essential oils are an inexpensive method of dealing with headache pain. They can be purchased at a local health store.

There are a few methods by which the use of essential oils can help cure headache. One way is to put two drops of lavender on each temple and rest. Many people find that after about twenty minutes, their headache is gone.  Another method using lavender is to take a facecloth and make it into a compress that is first dipped in hot or cold water that contains at least five drops of lavender. The compress is placed on either the neck or forehead while resting.

There are other methods of using aromatherapy for migraine headaches. It can be used as a diffuser. This puts the scent into the air. It can be used for about fifteen to twenty minutes at a time. The other alternative is to use the aromatherapy by inhaling it. However, this is not recommended for someone with a respiratory condition like asthma.

The essential oil from ginger is useful in fighting the nausea of migraine headaches.  If a migraine sufferer is going to try these natural methods, they have to research carefully on how much they should use. Even something natural like aromatic oil must be used in moderation.

Different natural headache remedies work for different people, so one needs to experiment to find out which ones suit the person best. If a person has recurring headaches or their migraine attacks are very painful, it is best to consult with a doctor.

Many people aren’t aware of the relationship between upper cervical (neck) trauma and headaches. With all that modern science has accomplished, there are still more unanswered questions than answered ones. This is also true in the case of headache research. It’s been difficult to pinpoint the exact reason(s) why certain people suffer chronic headache pain. However, research is beginning to point toward upper cervical trauma as an underlying cause for many types of head pain, especially migraine, cluster and tension headaches.

The upper cervical area of the spine refers to the two vertebrae located at the top of the spine, directly underneath the head. C1 (known as Atlas,) along with C2 (known as Axis,) are chiefly responsible for the rotation and flexibility of the head and neck. Like the rest of the vertebrae, they are extremely vulnerable to injury and trauma, especially trauma to the head through auto or sporting accidents.

Because so many nerves transmit through the cervical region (to and from the brain,) trauma to this area results in problems to other parts of the body. This is where the relationship between the upper cervical area and headaches becomes evident. If these vertebrae become displaced, even slightly, chronic head pain can occur. Unless the neck injury is addressed, the symptoms persist.

Chiropractic care involves correcting the position of these injured cervical vertebrae, particularly C1 and C2. Realigning these vertebrae may reduce or eliminate many types of headaches.

The most common types of headaches for which people seek upper cervical chiropractic treatment are migraine, cluster and tension headaches. Migraine headaches are characterized by intense pain on either one or both sides of the head. Pain is usually located around the temples or behind one ear or eye. The pain is so severe that it often causes extreme sensitivity to light, dizziness and may even lead to vomiting. Migraines may occur with or without ‘aura.’ Aura refers to visual symptoms which occur 10 to 30 minutes prior to the onset of the headache. They are usually in the form of flashing lights, lines, blind spots or even temporary blindness.

Cluster headaches almost always occur on only one side of the head. Their onset is so sudden and intense, cluster headaches have been described as “worse than childbirth.” In fact, the doctor who originally identified and researched cluster headaches characterized their pain as being able “to drive normal people to suicide.”

Tension headaches are sometimes called ‘stress headaches.’ They often start midday and usually consist of a dull, aching pain rather than a sharp, intense one. They start gradually and slowly build in intensity. Tension headaches may last anywhere from less than one to several hours.

Of course, not every headache falls into one of these categories. The type and degree of pain varies from person to person. However, if any headache occurs more often than on an occasional or sporadic basis, it’s safe to assume that there may be an underlying cause. Continually treating chronic and recurrent headaches with pain medication may temporarily ease the symptoms, but it won’t cure the problem.

Many of these headaches are successfully treated with upper cervical chiropractic care. The number of treatments required varies by individual, as well as type and frequency of headache. A first visit to a chiropractor usually involves a spinal exam and diagnostic tests such as x-rays. From there, the practitioner will determine a plan for treatment. Patients almost always notice an improvement in symptoms, sometimes after only a few treatments.

Product Description
The up-to-the-minute guide to understanding and treating migraines for all migraine sufferers and their families Across America, twenty-eight million people suffer from migraines, costing the nation millions of dollars in lost work and school days, medication, and countless visits to doctors and hospitals. At the world-renowned Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago, Dr. Seymour Diamond has spent more than thirty years helping thousands of headache sufferers conquer t… More >>

Conquering Your Migraine: The Essential Guide to Understanding and Treating Migraines for all Sufferers and Their Families