healingways
HEADACHE REMEDIES
NATURAL WAYS TO SPELL RELIEF by Dr. Lauri Grossman
H
eadaches can happen at any time. They can interfere with work, school, family time or the simple enjoyment of a sunny day, but anyone tired of this vexing health problem is far from alone. According to the Headache Institute that is affili- ated with St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center and Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City, more people com- plain about headaches than any other medical ailment.
Headaches present themselves in a variety of ways. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes, for example, describes vascular migraines, tension headaches and cluster headaches. The institute cautions that headaches can serve as warning signals of problems that re- quire professional attention. However, when serious conditions have been ruled out, conscientious preventive treatment can be more helpful than the all-too-common habit of taking mul- tiple doses of aspirin or other tablets. Dr. Roger Morrison, of the Hahn- emann College of Homeopathy, further reports that there is good clinical evi- dence that, for most headaches, taking a single tablet of headache medicine such as aspirin or Tylenol can be just as effective as two or more pills. He also states that such over-the-counter medi- cations may be followed by rebound headaches in a never-ending cycle. So, where can we get swift relief
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that also can improve our health in the long run?
Complementary Treatments: Univer- sity Health Services at the University of California, in Berkeley, recommends acupuncture and manipulative treat- ments by a qualified chiropractor, osteopath or massage therapist as an alternative. These treatments help to release stress, balance the body’s energy and regulate disturbances in the nervous system, which can all be contributing factors to headaches.
Regular Exercise: The National Headache Foundation recommends regular exercise, such as swimming or vigorous walking, preceded by a good warm-up and followed with ample hydration to stave off head pain. A routine of 20 to 40 minutes of aerobic exercise, three or more times a week, helps to both relieve stress and balance internal physiology.
Good Posture: Pay attention to any ten- dency to bend over a computer or desk for long periods. Baxter Bell, a med- ical doctor from Northern California, recommends using
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yoga to help correct alignment that has gotten out of whack due to inattention to proper posture. He says that regular yoga practice often reduces both the frequency and intensity of migraines.
Proper Diet: It’s wise to avoid food additives and to eat meals consisting of whole foods. Eating high-fiber foods and drinking a glass of water every two hours lessens the chance of headache caused by a buildup of toxins in the system. It’s also generally accepted that eating smaller portions throughout the day instead of large meals helps to keep blood sugar steady.
Food allergies are a known culprit behind chronic headaches. In one study published in the medical journal, The Lancet, more than 90 percent of patients reported relief from migraine symptoms after eliminating allergenic substances from their diet. The most common offenders are foods with additives or nitrates, red wine, pack- aged lunch meats, MSG, hard cheeses, chocolate, citrus fruit, tomatoes, egg- plant, fried
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