Holistic Headache Management Strategies
Headaches come in many varieties, can be occasional or chronic, and can range from acute and annoying to debilitating. The most common type is the tension headache, which is brought on by stress, and can be experienced in the back of the head or neck, the forehead, the temples or the face. Stress can be mental, physical, emotional or spiritual. Stress can be the result of long hours of work, eye strain from poor lighting or excessive computer use, poor ergonomics, money concerns, worry about the health and safety of friends, family or oneself or many other factors. The pain drains our energy and reduces quality of life. The first approach to managing tension headaches should be to reduce or eliminate the causes, if possible. Thankfully, there are also a number of effective holistic strategies for managing headaches caused by stress.
- Cajeput
- Roman Chamomile
- Clary Sage
- Eucalyptus
- Juniper
- Lavender
- Spike Lavender
- Lemon
- Sweet Marjoram
- Neroli, Peppermint
- Rosemary
- Spearmint
- Sweet Basil
- Bergamot
- Roman Chamomile
- Clary Sage
- Geranium Rose
- Juniper
- Lavender
- Lemongrass
- Sweet Marjoram
- Sandalwood
- Ylang Ylang
2. Massage: Using a few drops of prepared essential oil blend on your fingers, first cup your hands and inhale the aromatics. Then, massage the temples and along the hairline, or the back of the neck with light pressure in a circular motion for a few minutes. Cup your hands again after the massage and inhale.
- Hops
- Kava Kava
- Lobelia
- Rosemary
- Valerian Root
- Wood Betony
Analgesic herbs are:
- Kava Kava
- St. John's Wort
- White willow bark
- Wintergreen
- Catnip
- Chamomile
- Hops
- Oatstraw
- Passionflower
- Skullcap
- Valerian Root
Other commonly used botanicals for headache are:
- Black Cohosh
- Feverfew
- Ginkgo biloba
Follow the manufacturer's directions for these herbal products.
- Temporal points are on the side of the large toe between the large toe and second toe. With your thumb, apply pressure to this area starting at the tip of the toe and work toward the base. Do this several times, over 1 – 2 minutes.
- “Four Gates” points are on the top of the feet about a thumb's width above the web between the large and second toes, where the bones intersect. (Caution : Do not apply pressure to the Four Gates points if you are pregnant.) Press on the depression between the bones for 1 – 2 minutes. On the hands, the point is about a thumb's width below the web between the thumbs and first fingers where these bones intersect. With the opposite thumb and first finger, squeeze the point for 1 – 2 minutes.
- On the top of the feet, another point is about a thumb's width above the web between fourth and baby toes, where the bones intersect. Press on the point for 1 – 2 minutes.
- For pain on the face, the points are on the top of the large toes. Do not massage the toe nail. With both thumbs, apply pressure to the top of the toe, side to side, working from below the nail to the base of the toe. Do this several times for 1 – 2 minutes.
