Home Remedies To Help With Tension Headaches or Migraines

Many clients suffer from tension headaches or migraines. Often, it is difficult to differentiate between the two and the pain can be all-consuming.

What are Tension Headaches?

  • Up to 63% of men and up to 86% of women experience tension headaches.
  • Chronic tension headaches occur in 3% of people.
  • There is a family history in 40-50% of these headache sufferers.
  • Tension headaches often begin in early adulthood.
  • 004% of all headaches are due to a serious problem.

What a Tension Headache Feels Like

  • Pain is on both sides of the head, diffuse and constant. The pain can be described as dull or vise-like.
  • Pain is felt in the neck, forehead, back of the head, shoulders and potentially into the jaw.
  • The Duration of the headache varies from 30 minutes to weeks. Chronic tension headaches last for more than 15 days.
  • These headaches typically begin in the afternoon after tight muscles have been activated.
  • Potential associated symptoms: muscle tenderness and stiffness, loss of appetite, nausea, vertigo and ringing in the ears.
  • Aggravating factors for tension headaches include stress, fatigue, cold temperatures, low blood sugar, poor posture, and decreased range of motion in head and neck.

What are Migraines?

  • 25% of women and 8% of men are affected by migraines.
  • There is a family history in 70% of the sufferers.
  • These headaches can begin in childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood.
  • Migraines affect 5% of children.
  • In early childhood more boys are affected and in adolescence more girls are affected.

What a Migraine Feels Like

  • The pain is usually pulsating and of moderate to severe intensity.
  • Pain is on one side of the head 60% of the time and often begins as a dull ache or sensation of pressure which gradually localizes to one place. Intensity then increases over several minutes or hours.
  • Pain locations can include on the sides of the head, neck, ears and behind the eyes.
  • Physical exertion may worsen symptoms.
  • Frequency is rarely greater than once per week.
  • Symptoms last for 4-72 hours.
  • The onset of migraines is variable, with early morning onset being the most common.
  • Potential associated symptoms: muscle soreness, hypersensitivity to light (photophobia) or sound (phonophobia), temporary vision loss, seeing spots or flashing lights, autonomic nervous system dysfunctions (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), cold extremities and sweating.
  • Usually, the headache resolves over several hours during sleep or rest. However, there may be vomiting or intense emotional release abruptly ending the migraine.

Here Are a Few Things That You Can do at Home to Help With Your Headache Pain!

If you need additional information, a consult or help managing your headaches then please feel free to reach out to one of our team members at Harbourview Therapy!

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