Headaches - 8 natural remedies, remedies & therapies + side effects

Headaches - 8 natural remedies, remedies & therapies + side effects

Headaches have plagued humans for thousands of years. Ancient human remains with evidence of an early form of neurosurgery known as “trepanation” date back as early as 7000 B.C. Trephination involved drilling a hole into part of the skull. A common belief during this time was that headaches and other neurological disorders such as seizures were caused by evil spirits trapped in the head. The hole probably allowed the ghost to escape. This procedure was only recommended for the treatment of migraines in the 17th century. (Source)

Today, many people think that headaches are just a headache, but for some, they are much more than that. In the United States, someone seeks emergency care for a headache every ten seconds, and 1.2 million patient visits are due to acute migraine. Headaches are an incredibly common condition, in fact, they are the most common form of pain. They can be extremely debilitating and affect the ability to live and work normally. (Source)

There are differences in headache types, including what triggers them, the quality of the pain, the location of the pain, and what makes it better or worse. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to treating headaches or migraines, as a naturopath's goal is to treat the cause. Instead, naturopathy offers many treatment options when treating headaches and migraines, allowing the naturopath to tailor the protocol to the individual patient and the cause of the problem.

Common triggers for headaches and migraines

• Stress
• Seelische Belastung
• Hormonelles Ungleichgewicht
• Bestimmte Lebensmittel oder Lebensmittelallergien
• Umwelteinflüsse,
• Infektion
• Verstopfung
• Blutdruckprobleme
• Drogen und Alkohol
• Ermüden
• Überanstrengung der Augen
• Mangelernährung
• Dehydration

Types of headaches and clinical features

Tension headache:This is the most common type of headache in adults and older children/teens. They are also known as stress headaches and usually come on slowly. They can only occur episodically every now and then or can occur chronically for more than 15 days per month for months. They are usually non-progressive and involve mild to moderate pain and a tightness similar to the feeling of a band around the head. The pain is usually dull and diffuse and affects both sides of the head. It may be accompanied by sensitivity of the scalp, neck or shoulders. They can be short, lasting less than an hour, to longer, with pain lasting a week.

Cluster headache:Cluster headaches are less common than tension headaches or migraines, but are the most severe type of headache. They are typically characterized by intense, piercing, burning, sudden onset pain, often located behind one eye. As the name suggests, cluster headaches are likely to occur many times over the course of weeks to months and may occur daily or even multiple times per day, with the pattern of pain reoccurring in the same way each time. They can last one to three hours and there can be months or even years between episodes. (Source)

Migraine headache: MigraineAffects around one billion people worldwide and is the third most common disease known to man. Migraine is more than just a really bad headache - it's a neurological disorder accompanied by extremely debilitating symptoms.

More than 90% of people cannot work or function normally during a migraine. Migraines usually only occur on one side of the head (although both sides are affected in about 33% of cases) and involve severe, throbbing pain that is often accompanied by other symptoms that affect the senses, such as visual impairment, sensitivity to light or sound, and numbness. Migraines can last from a few hours to several days and can occur in both episodic and chronic patterns. Around 85% of patients with chronic migraines are women. Migraines may also have a genetic component, as 90% of sufferers have a family history. (Source)

Naturopathic management of headaches and migraines

Supplements

Riboflavin:Riboflavin (vitamin B2), a prominent member of the B vitamin family, has been studied for its role in preventing headaches, particularly of the migraine type. Several clinical studies have shown the benefit of riboflavin for migraine prevention. The use of riboflavin has been associated with a reduction in the frequency of migraine attacks as well as a reduction in the use of anti-migraine medications. ((Link removed), (Link removed))

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Magnesium:Low magnesium levels have been found in patients with various types of headaches. Magnesium has a long history of effective use in migraine prevention. In addition, magnesium has been shown to be effective as a cost-effective acute treatment option for headaches and migraines, particularly when administered intravenously to individuals with low blood magnesium concentrations. ((link removed))

Our recommendation: (link removed)

CoQ10: CoEnzyme Q10, also known as ubiquinone, is used by cells to produce energy. CoQ10 is naturally present in the body, but can also be taken in the form of dietary supplements. It has powerful antioxidant properties and is known for its cardiovascular benefits. Studies on the use of CoQ10 in the treatment of headaches have yielded positive results. A study suggests that CoQ10 may reduce the frequency, duration and pain scale of headaches. ((link removed))

Our recommendation: (link removed)

Herbs

Butterbur:butterbur (Petasites hybridus) is a shrub that grows in swampy areas of Europe, parts of Asia and North America. Historically, butterbur has been used to treat many diseases from plague to skin wounds. Studies have confirmed the use of butterbur in preventing migraines. In a randomized clinical trial, a standardized extract of butterbur was shown to reduce the frequency of migraines by up to 60%, with no adverse events reported. ((link removed))

Safety notice: Raw, unprocessed butterbur contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) - chemicals that can be harmful and cause liver damage or lead to serious illness. Commercial butterbur products have typically been processed to remove PAs and are labeled PA-free. These are the only types that should be used.

Our recommendation: (link removed)

Feverfew:feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) belongs to the daisy family and comes from the Balkan Peninsula. It has yellow-green leaves and yellow tubular flowers with numerous small white flowers similar to those of chamomile (with which it is often confused). It has long been used to treat headaches, particularly migraines. Research shows that consuming feverfew reduces the frequency of migraine and headache symptoms. ((link removed))

Our recommendation: (link removed)

diet

Diet plays a major role in almost all illnesses. Headaches and migraines are no different. Diet can affect neuropeptides, neuroreceptors and ion channels, inflammation, the sympathetic nervous system, nitric oxide release, vasodilation, and cerebral glucose metabolism, which can lead to headaches. Substances in foods like caffeine and MSG may be linked to headaches. Caffeine withdrawal or MSG administration have resulted in severe and reproducible headaches. Other foods such as those containing gluten, histamine and alcohol are also considered headache triggers. Food allergies can also play a role in triggering headaches. Controlled studies reported that an elimination diet of IgG-positive foods significantly reduced the recurrence of headaches and migraines. ((Link removed), (Link removed))

acupuncture

Acupuncture is a therapeutic technique commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. Very thin needles are inserted into various parts of the body. It is not painful and has an extremely low risk of side effects. Acupuncture has been studied in several clinical trials for its benefits in pain management with good success. A review of nearly two dozen clinical trials found that acupuncture reduced the frequency of headaches by 50% in over half of participants. This effect is similar to that of preventative medications. ((link removed))

Environmental medicine

Exposure to environmental toxins such as pollution, smoke, chemical-based cleaning products, perfumes, air fresheners, and fumes from household goods can cause headaches. Avoiding these exposures is an effective way to prevent headaches attributed to environmental triggers. Avoiding personal and home use of scented products such as dryer sheets, perfumes, air fresheners, and scented candles can go a long way toward minimizing exposure. Using less toxic cleaning methods such as steam, vinegar, or essential oils can also help.

Other therapies

Other therapeutic options such as biofeedback, mind-body therapies, physical medicine, ergonomics, craniosacral therapy, naturopathic adjustment techniques, massage, stress management, meditation, yoga, Tai Chi, and energetic therapies such as Reiki and homeopathy may also be included in a naturopathic headache protocol.

Having your case reviewed by a clinically trained naturopath is the best way to determine which naturopathic therapies will be most beneficial for your specific circumstances. Because each person is unique and naturopaths are more concerned with the individual than the diagnosis, they focus on the specifics of the individual and what they are experiencing to develop a comprehensive plan to address the root cause of the problem and solve the problem forever.