in | 16 May 2019

FACE HEADACHES HEAD-ON

Do you know what we hate? Headaches. Whether they’re killer migraines or more subtle, dull aches, headaches really can ruin a day. Or at least make things a lot more unpleasant than they need be. So what are you to do?
Of course, you could reach for an over-the-counter painkiller like paracetamol or even enlist the help of stronger should your doctor prescribe it, but here at The Cold Pressed Juicery, we prefer to take a more natural route if possible. It may sound like hocus pocus, but there are actually quite a few home remedies that can be effective in relieving the pain and discomfort of a headache.

Whatever you choose to kick the pain to the curb, it’s important to treat your symptoms as early as possible. That way you are able to best get the pain under control before it takes over and really knocks you out. And, ensure that you are properly hydrated. Having enough water is essential for facing headaches head-on whether you go au naturel or reach for that medicine bottle.

So hot and cold. Even though being hot and cold in a relationship is no good, doing so with a compress is a great way to combat a headache. Reach for a hot or cold compress and hold it to your forehead. This will help stimulate the nerve endings that are on your face and scalp. This will actually send little messages to your brain to reduce the pain you feel. Either cold or hot is equally effective, so choose whatever will soothe you the most.


Get back to the essentials. Sure, they’re relaxing, but essential oils can actually help with pain in the body. Oils like lavender, rosemary and peppermint have been shown to desensitise pain fibres that can cause headaches, as well as to reduce inflammation. Add a few drops of each of these three essential oils to a cold, damp washcloth and then press it to your forehead. Alternatively, you can mix them with some coconut oil and massage it into your temples and forehead. Neither of those seem appealing to you? You can also use aromatherapy to absorb them through your olfactory system. Turns out it’s connected to the main migraine regulators in the brain.


Get buzzed. No, no not with alcohol. With caffeine! It may seem counterintuitive, but caffeine actually helps constrict the blood vessels in the head, helping to reduce the pain felt during a headache. But be careful. A caffeine overload can also cause you to have headaches again later on.

 

Under pressure. Once again, we look to traditional Chinese medicine to help with modern problems! Acupressure is a great way to relieve pain. You press certain places on your body – in this case between your thumb and index finger, between your eyebrows and between your fourth and pinkie toes – to help relieve the symptoms of a headache.


Frankie says relax. This one may not always be the easiest to do, but taking a chill pill and trying to rest is one of the best ways to alleviate the symptoms of a headache. Try some deep breathing techniques or simply lie down with your eyes shut. You don’t have to sleep, but a bit of darkness and quiet will do wonders for the pain.