Headaches

Headaches are one of the most common complaints humans suffer from and a number of things cause them. Finding relief can sometimes be as simple as drinking water, whereas other remedies may be more complicated requiring prescription medications. There are six different types of headaches:

• Tension: These are the most common headaches and are caused from muscle tension. They may occur daily but don't progress.
• Migraines: There are theories that suggest these may be genetic, but many feel these are neuro- vascular triggers that cause changes in blood vessels. The pain can be moderate to severe, last for a few hours to days, and can occur 1-5 times a month, although they may be less or more frequent. These cause sensitivity to light, sound, and smells. Nausea is common, and sometimes vomiting alleviates the headache. Dizziness, blurred vision or blind spots, and nausea are also symptoms.
• Cluster: These are the most severe, inducing sharp, throbbing pains around the eye on one side of the face, or on one side of the head. They affect more men than women, and can cause watery eyes and nasal congestion. They can also go into remission for months or years. Suffers don't usually lay down, as the pain causes them to be fidgety and move around.
• Sinus: This s due to an infection in the sinuses, causing pain, fever, and nasal congestion. Pain is usually in the cheekbones, above the eyebrows, forehead, and nose, and gets worse with movement or bending over. Antibiotics, decongestants, and pain relievers are standard treatment.
• Rebound: These are a result of over medication and possibly withdrawal from high levels of pain medication.
• Mixed: A mix of tension and migraine symptoms. For example: tension in the neck and shoulders can induce migraines.
• Stroke: Signs of a stroke is that it is the worst headache you have ever had, one sided weakness, impaired speech, lose of balance, inability to understand what others are saying. This needs immediate emergency care.

Treatments for Headaches

Energetic: Emotions that affect headaches are:

• Invalidating the self
• Inability to resolve emotional upsets
• Hurt feelings going unexpressed
• Feelings of inner pressure working on you
• Feeling unable to control
• Self criticism
• Tension and stress
• Feelings of fears and anxiety getting the best of you
• Unpleasant relationships
• Inability to face and issue
• Issues with conscious thinking that are not in alignment with love and wisdom
• Closed off, closed mind
• Being critical of others
• Blocking the flow of life
• Trying too hard
• Resentment
• Suppressing negative feelings
• Avoiding joy and happiness or not allowing self to enjoy life
• Conflicts over perceptions, intuitions, and comprehension of things
• Hyper-rationality, over thinking, obsessive thinking
• Suppressing grief
• Hanging onto old beliefs, patterns and processes

Chakras: Crown chakra may be shut down. To begin, first cleanse it by moving your open hand in a counter clockwise circle over your head until you feel your hand is full. Take a deep breath, then in a clockwise circle move your hand over your head repeating these affirmations:

• I am open to the goodness and abundance of the Universe
• Love is eternal
• I am willing to go beyond my limitations to express and experience greater joy
• I am open and receptive to all life
• Love makes me free
• I am always willing to take the next step forward in my life
• I am divinely protected and guided
• I am safe
• Love protects and nourishes me
• I go beyond limiting beliefs
• I accept myself totally
• I am willing to be responsible for the quality for love and joy I have in my life
• The more love I give the more there is to receive
• I love and approve of myself
• I make my choices with wisdom, faith, will, and intellect.
• I am  happy
• I trust my instincts
• I see myself and others with love and wisdom

Natural Remedies:

• Put your feet in hot water and place an ice pack on your neck
• Take a detox bath: 2 c. Epsom salt, 1 c. baking soda, ginger, with lemon, lavender, or orange essential oils added.
• Drink water!
• Low blood sugar: eat a protein and fruit
• Sleep
• Avoid allergenic foods, such as nitrates, MSG, food coloring, artificial sweeteners, tyramine, and phenylalanine
• Avoid overindulgence of caffeinated drinks, as this may cause withdrawals, however, in some instances, caffeine may help to resolve a headache.
• Calcium, Magnesium, and B6 
• Melatonin (.03-.05 mg) at bedtime
• Essential Oils: peppermint, lavender, chamomile, white fir
• Acupressure
• Massage
• Rescue Remedy
• Counter traction: using exercise bands, place them behind your neck and apply traction. This can be done with a towel as well.
• Stretches for neck, shoulder and arms, correct posture
• Ice pack and heat, alternating
• TMJ: mouth guards and stretches

Pharmaceuticals:

• Prescription medications
• Tylenol and Motrin
• Tylenol and Benadryl
• Excedrin Migraine
• Aspirin (do not give to children)
• Trigger Point injections (with or without cortisone)

Other Options:

• Herniated discs in neck or spine (surgery or manipulation)
• Chiropractic care
• Reflexology
• Sacral cranial therapy
• Removing stressors: review problems and options with your job, relationships, anxiety inducing situations, and follow through with possible changes.