How to hit those headaches on the head

Unfortunately, headaches seem to be part of everyday life. Constantly popping headache tablets might help with the immediate pain, but does not address the root cause of the headache. So guess what? It will keep coming back. And nobody wants to be haunted by a headache.

So, what can you to do reduce the risk of headaches?

• Reduce, or learn to manage stress. Easier said than done of course, but particularly if you suffer from stress or tension headaches, it is important to find some way of managing that stress. Regular massage, some short-form meditation, or acupuncture can relieve these headaches. In the longer term, putting in place strategies to reduce your stress is worthwhile.
• Increase your water intake. Many headaches are related to dehydration, so ensuring you are always well hydrated can avoid a headache altogether. And if you feel one coming on, a long cool drink of water can alleviate some of the pain.
• Watch what you eat and drink – certain foods and drinks – like alcohol – can be a trigger for headaches. Make a note of what you have eaten or drunk when headaches come on and you may be able to pinpoint your personal triggers, and avoid those things in the future. Of course, excessive alcohol or caffeine are obvious ones, but some people react to foods that might not be expected.
• Improve your posture – poor posture, particularly related to the neck, can cause the onset of a headache. Regular visits to the Chiropractor to ensure your spine and neck are correctly aligned can reduce the likelihood of posture related headaches.
• Manage the amount of time you spend looking at the computer screen. Eye strain can be a contributing factor to headaches. While it is not always possible to avoid screens altogether – we all have to work after all – taking a 20-30 second break every 20 minutes to focus on something at least 5 metres away, or something on the horizon if you can, will reduce the risk of eye strain headaches.

If you do feel a headache coming on, try and take a break. Have some water and lie down in quiet dark room if possible. A cool compress on the forehead/eye area can also help. Sometimes, all it will take is a 5 minute break to avert a headache that might debilitate you for hours or even days.

If these simple techniques don’t work, visit your local Chiropractor for adjustment and acupuncture and you will generally feel significant relief.

If you suffer from recurring headaches, call Precision Health Spine & Sports Clinic on 9639 7337 to make an appointment for some advice and treatment that might help you.