If you are like most Americans, you suffer from a headache or a migraine quite often. Studies have shown that 45 million Americans suffer from them each year! Studies also suggest that men suffer slightly more than females and over $1 billion is spent each year on over-the-counter medications to treat these migraines and headaches. Suffering from these chronic pains will affect your personal life and your livelihood.
What Causes Migraines and Headaches?
Interestingly, many people say they can deduce exactly what’s caused their pain. Many say either the weather (right before a big rain is the most popular reason) missing a meal (for those suffering from low blood sugar) stress, alcohol, and certain types of foods the person may have a sensitivity to (the most popular culprits are hard cheeses, walnuts, chocolate, and coffee).
Of course, we as therapists want you to come in and release the tension around your shoulders and neck that causes many of these headaches, but what do you do when you’re suffering from an episode and can’t come in to be relieved of your pain?
Before you try these techniques be sure to drink plenty of water before and after.
- Using your thumbs, press firmly onto the bridge of your nose, just underneath your forehead. Point your thumbs in opposing directions (meaning one is a thumbs up, and the other is a thumbs down) Hold firmly (without causing pain) for 10 seconds, breathing deeply. Repeat the process 2-4 times as needed.
- Place thumbs upwards (meaning thumbs up) just below your eyebrows. Hold firm but not enough to cause pain. Take deep breaths and hold for 10 seconds. Repeat as necessary.
- Using both hands, pinch or pull your skin tissue just below your eyebrows away from your face and hold. Hold for 5-7 seconds and repeat.
- Use your thumbs or your middle three fingers and press firmly into the sides of your temple. If it feels better, you can move them in a circular motion. Hold for 7-10 seconds using steady pressure.
- If you’re suffering from sinus pressure, press into the sides of your nose and move your fingers firmly away from the nose, towards the cheekbones. Work on both sides at once and work multiple points along the bridge of your nose. Direct the pressure towards your face and move away towards your cheekbones.
- Use a foam roller or a hard, plastic cylindrical item with padding to put behind your head and lay the back of your head on, underneath your skull. Use the roller long ways and place the edge of the roller just below your skull and hold.
If you have any sure-fire remedies you’ve tried at home, tell us about them! Send us an email, and we will post it on our Social Media pages to share with all of our followers!
