Headache Treatment and Prevention Tips

A Tension-type headache is the most common type of primary headache. Many people have 1 or 2 headaches of this type every month. Sometimes they develop more frequently, typically during times of stress. Approximately 3% of people have a tension-type headache on most days. When this happens, the headaches are called chronic tension-type headaches. Tension-type and cluster headaches, and usually cause symptoms of sickness or nausea in addition to a severe, one-sided, throbbing headache. However, some people experience both migraines and tension-type headaches.

Headache Treatment Tips

• Pain killers or analgesics such as aspirin and paracetamol (eg Panadol)
• Pain killers or analgesics combined with codeine (eg Panadeine)
• Pain killers or analgesics combined with a sedative (eg Mersyndol, Fiorinal)

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (eg Nurofen).
These products are effective and safe when taken according to the directions. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist, as some products are not recommended with certain health conditions or for children.
• Stronger NSAIDs
• Analgesics containing stronger narcotic-type analgesics
• Ergots such as ergotamine (eg Cafergot) that have a specific action against migraine
Headache Prevention Tips

A major cause of headache is chronic stress and related emotions such as frustration and irritability. One main body area affected by chronic stress is the upper back, neck and shoulders, which become tight, tense and painful. Slow, deep breathing exercises are a superb way to calm your mind, relax your body, reduce the effects of chronic stress and improve your ability to deal with it.

Chinese Herbal Remedies: There are many Chinese herbal headache remedies that have been proven to be safe and effective over centuries of continuous use in China. While the traditional way to take them is by boiling the ingredients in water and drinking the brew as a tea, these days they are available in pill, tablet, powder and granule form. Unless you have knowledge of TCM principles and diagnostics, though, you should consult a trained practitioner of Chinese herbal medicine or acupuncture to see which particular remedy is best for you.

Acupressure: Acupressure is very easy to do - locate specific points on your body (using an acupressure point’s chart or video) and press and rub them with your fingers for 1-2 minutes, several times a day. Common acupressure points for headache are located at the base of your skull, on your temples and on your hands and feet. These are the same points that are needled in acupuncture - the difference is you can do acupressure yourself, making it a convenient way to relieve and prevent headaches.

Diet and Lifestyle: There is no single diet suitable for everyone. However, there are some general TCM dietary guidelines that can benefit most headache sufferers, especially those with chronic stress headaches. According to TCM, chronic stress mainly affects the liver. Foods and drinks which aggravate the liver include anything that is fried or spicy, as well as alcohol, coffee and drugs. TCM recommends a simple, bland diet for best health. This means fresh, natural foods and drinks and meals that are not overly cooked. Steaming and stir-frying are recommended cooking methods as they cook quickly and lightly while still retaining nutrients.

As with herbal remedies, a TCM practitioner can give you specific dietary advice that matches your age, body type, state of health and other factors unique to you. Apart from adjusting your diet it's important to maintain a balanced lifestyle. Irregular meal times and sleeping times, overworking and excess mental irritation, for example, can all cause and/or aggravate headaches.