While many headaches have a medical source, such as allergies, sinusitis, infection and poor circulation, just as often headaches are caused by stress and anxiety. Headaches can be the body's way responding to too much pressure. In addition, working conditions that put strain on the eyes and neck can create conditions ripe for headaches. Whether you are prone to headaches or experience them infrequently, you may prefer to forgo over-the-counter medications in favor of techniques that can get rid of headaches.
Step 1
Stop whatever you are doing when a headache first appears. Often, just resting for a moment can help to prevent further pain. Change the position in which you were working or moving to find relief.
Step 2
Learn basic relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and meditation. Incorporate yoga or hypnotherapy into your weekly fitness regimen. Find someone to administer biofeedback to help relieve tension headaches.
Step 3
For immediate relief of a sinus headache, sit in a steam bath or a bathroom with door closed and the shower running. Repeat two or three times a day. To avoid sinus headaches, keep sinuses moist: run a humidifier or use nasal spray with saline.
Step 4
Get massages from a trained massage therapist. Describe your headaches so the therapist can concentrate on the areas of the body that control the flow of blood to the neck and head.
Step 5
Get acupuncture. The National Institutes of Health says that scientific studies back up the efficacy of acupuncture for treating headaches. During acupuncture treatments, small needles are placed in specific points on the body to balance the flow of energy and relieve pain.
Tips and Warnings
- Doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center recommend treating underlying sinus infections may prevent continued headaches. Consider the location and look for any outside environmental factors, such as a gas leak or mold, that could be causing the headache.
- Seek immediate medical attention if a headache is severe, comes on suddenly and lasts for more than 24 hours. Get help right away if you feel nauseous or confused, lose your vision or balance, or have a fever or numbness in your arms.
Things You'll Need
- Humidifier
