Managing Your Headaches

How do you break the severe headache cycle?

Our first tip: Know your triggers.

Stress, lack of sleep, exposure to bright light, shift in weather or barometric pressure, certain foods, loud noises, and extreme temperatures can all be potential triggers for headaches.

Tip two: Stop them before they start.

In addition to recognizing triggers and avoiding them when possible, it also helps to pay close attention to the signs and symptoms as you feel a headache coming on, which allows you to take action before it becomes too painful.

Try these other options under your doctor’s supervision.

Detoxification

For some people, headaches can be caused by eating certain foods, such as chocolate, aged cheese, processed foods, or anything that puts extra stress on the digestive system.

By the same token, caffeine, red wine, and some beers can also be a trigger. It’s not always easy to give up your favorite foods or beverages, but many natural practitioners believe that poor digestion can lead to severe headaches.

A cleanse helps clean out your GI tract, and after a certain point in the cleanse, you may even find that you have less of a craving for problem foods.

Because there are a variety of products designed to support the detoxification process, it helps to speak with your doctor about which one can benefit you most without harmful side effects.

We suggest looking for a formula with L-Glycine, which is important for the amino acid conjugation pathway to neutralize and eliminate unwanted substances.* It also contains powerful free-radical fighters to help protect important cells in the body.*

Scent Therapy 

Choosing a calming and invigorating scent to have on hand as an essential oil can be extremely helpful when you feel a headache coming on. Lavender and peppermint are popular favorites.

Supplements

Coenzyme Q10 (commonly known as CoQ10) is also known to support liver health and normal detoxification processes.* Additionally, researchers have studied CoQ10 to determine how it supports the body’s ability to limit headache frequency.*

Magnesium, and the herbs feverfew and butterbur have also been studied for their effectiveness in headache support, but you should always ask your doctor for advice before taking any new supplements. Some ingredients may interact with medications.*

Acupuncture and Craniosacral Therapy

According to the Alternative Medicine division of the National Institute of Health (NIH), acupuncture is one of the oldest practices in the world, and it is often used to treat intense pain, such as headaches.

The theory behind this traditional Chinese practice involves inserting thin needles into the skin on certain parts of the body, which “regulates the flow of qi (vital energy) along pathways known as meridians.

Many patients suffering from pain due to injuries or severe headaches use acupuncture to manage their symptoms. The NHIS reports that while acupuncture does show some positive results as a natural alternative for pain conditions, clinical trials are difficult to conduct due to the nature of this treatment.

Even though further research is needed, many major health insurance companies have policies that help cover the cost of acupuncture.

Craniosacral therapy is also used to treat severe pain and headaches. However, this practice is not as widely accepted as acupuncture and typically not covered by standard health insurance policies. Ultimately, it is up to you, the patient, to decide if these types of alternative treatments work, or if it’s worth any out-of-pocket costs.

Do you suffer from headaches? What do you do to manage the pain? Share your experience with us on Twitter using #DVnatural.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.