Make it go away!!!!

Headaches are often caused by strains or spasms in your neck muscles, and not actually anything to do with your head itself! Perhaps you've done something to your neck?


It's funny because I have had a headache all day, and was just rubbing my head and mentally groaning about it when I clicked on this topic, lol. I think I must've strained my neck yesterday at Anti-Gravity yoga - because Excedrin sure ain't working!

I have taken this verbatim from my website. Hope you find it helpful.


Headache Relief Without Pills

What to do when headaches do not respond to traditional pain relief? Locate primary trigger points in the head, neck and shoulders and give yourself a five-minute massage.

1) Place your thumbs in front of your ears along your lower jawbone and press firmly into the muscles. You may want to grip your chin with your fingers to help establish a firm hold. Run your thumbs along the muscles of your jaw line from your ears to your chin.

2) Place your middle three fingers under your jaw line and drag them hard down the muscles that run along the sides of your neck.

3) Gently wrap your fingers around your neck with your thumbs placed firmly under the front of your collarbones. All the while pressing firmly, drag your thumbs across the full length of muscles that run under the clavicles from your throat to your shoulders. Especially notice the trigger points buried deeply on either sides of the neck muscles. If you find hard nodules, press firmly until you can no longer stand the pain and hold until you feel the pain diminish.

4) Move your hand position slightly so that your thumbs are nearest to the outer edges of your shoulders and your fingers are on either side of the backs of your shoulders between the spine and your wing bones. Now move your thumbs and your fingers simultaneously towards each other as you gently squeeze the muscles along the spine and across the tops of the shoulders.

5) Place your right hand up and over the back of your left shoulder blade. You may want to help your right hand reach back by gently pushing your right elbow back with your left hand. Run your fingers downward along the muscles under the blades. You'll find a trigger point just before you round the corner of your blade. Press your fingers as firmly as you can onto the trigger point until the pain subsides. Repeat to other side.

6) Feel for the occipital bone at the back of your head, usually half way down. Beginning with your fingers in the middle of the occipital, slowly press your fingers firmly into the tiny muscles working your way across the base of the skull until your come back to the underside of your ears. Press firmly up and into the flesh under your ears and behind your jawbone.

Additional Resource

http://www.triggerpointrelief.com

A nice relaxing massage which will work on those over stressed muscles. You sound like you need some pampering anyway!

My doctor once told me to use 1 advil, 1 gravol and wash it down with some pepsi and it does work and I get very severe migraines!!

I had pain in those exact same spots 5 years ago. Kept taking Sudafed for sinus. Something caused me to think it was Diet Coke so I quit drinking it. My Doctor advised me to wean myself slow to avoid more headaches. Long story short headaches went away. I don't know if you are a Diet Soda drinker but wanted to share this just in case.
Good Luck!!!

I tend to get headaches fairly regularly. Something I just found that has worked for me is laying with a hot pad under my shoulders and the back of my neck/head. I tend to store tension in my shoulders and neck which causes a sinus like headache for some reason. I usually find relief in 20 to 30 minutes. Alternately I've tried ice on the back of my neck as well...I've just found that the heat seems to work better for me. And when all else fails...I LOVE my chiropractor! LOL

Dear Anewattitude:

I suffer from migraine headaches so I get what you're experiencing!
i\I hold stress in my neck and shoulders which does not help with headaches.

You stated you are going through some life changes...the first step to reducing stress is being aware of what is stressing you...a major life change cause stress - you have several life changes occuring at one time...WOW, no wonder you have a continuous headache What can you do to relieve the headache and cope with your stress: Talk to your friends and family (who are willing to just listen) about what is going on...let others help with with packing/cleaning/moving...simplify what you can...make lists and cross off accomplishments and acknowledge you are accomplishing things....and sometimes just accept that life is stressful.

what can you do? I find that relaxation techniques help (deep breathing, head to toe progression muscle tense release); easy stretching exercises for the neck and shoulders; taking a hot bath and relaxing or a hot shower and just standing in the shower and letting the water run over my neck and shoulders; making sure i drink more water; going for a walk or just sitting outside if it is nice (if it isn't nice I sit in my comfy chair and enjoy the scenery on my street); drinking an herbal tea while listening to calming music or environmental CD's; reading poetry or a book; sometimes laying down with my feet elevated in a quiet darkened room helps.

headaches are no fun and can be debilitating...be good to yourself...stretch then relax your neck muscles and tell your fiance that instead of cutting off your head...why not give a neck/shoulder/foot massage and he prepares the meal...better yet he acknowledges all you are doing, the stress you are under and takes you out for dinner

Take care and I hope you feel better soon

Headaches are often caused by strains or spasms in your neck muscles, and not actually anything to do with your head itself! Perhaps you've done something to your neck?

THIS! I suffer from Migraines and my husband just rubs my shoulders, mainly my trap muscles and I do a little neck rolls and I am feeling better in minutes!

I too have had headaches that would not go away. On one occurrance the migraine lasted weeks. After a couple of adjustments from the chiropractor and her recommendation to put an ice pack on my neck it finally resolved.
I also get headaches whenever I eat or drink anything with splenda, equal or any sugar substitutes.

Have you changed your diet?? liek going no carb or no sugar?? that can cause a bugger of a headache.... if that is the case, it should be over soon

lots and lots of water

GET IT CHECKED OUT!

My old partner on my ambulance used to complain of headaches. i used to think that he was lazy and just wanted to get off early. that was until he actually went to the eye doc to see if the problem was originating from his vision. welll, the eye doc at 20/20 vision sent him straight to the ER after a short inspection. upon arrival at the ER, the docs found a growth on his brain. they transported him to a better hospital to remove the tumor. he probably wont ever work in EMS again. so like i said. be on the safe side, check it out with a doc. Sooner is better than later.