Address Teeth Grinding Or Excessive Chewing
People have to eat to survive, and chewing is an important part of eating. However, studies suggest that excessive chewing might be linked to more headaches and even migraine. Researchers focused on gum-chewing for the study and found that tension headaches and migraine were more common in people who chewed gum frequently.
While you cant avoid eating, you may want to rethink chewing gum if you regularly experience migraine. You may also want to consider if you clench or grind your teeth while sleeping, as this could have a similar effect.
Massage These Acupressure Points To Ease Headaches
Most throbbing heads can be treated at home and to do so, you must know the right method. Apply pressure to these 5 pressure points to get rid of headaches quickly.
We can all agree that headaches are annoying. To ease headaches, we usually run back and forth to a pharmacy or a doctor for a painkiller. But, when you do not have any medicines handy, you might end up using old remedies like tying a headband or towel around your head. These might work sometimes, but you need an effective way to suppress the pain at home. If you also suffer from a headache, then you are not alone. Headaches are a common discomfort experienced by people all over the world. It can happen due to stress, anxiety, or overthinking as well.
Nowadays, there is an increased incidence in headaches, migraine, neck and back pains in young people due their lifestyle and long working hours. According to a 2018 review issued in The American Journal of Medicine, tension-type headache is frequent in 40 percent of the world population and migraine prevails in 10 per cent. Amid various options like medicines, ointment and massages in existence, acupressure is a good alternative to treat headaches.
Stop Headaches Before They Stop You
Being a small business owner, or a parent, a headache comes with stress. Add the fact that women are 3 times as likely as men to have migraines and it becomes clear a strategy is needed to bridge the gap. The power is in your hands.
While professional Massage therapists can most certainly provide relaxation and alleviate the tension that can cause headaches, so can using pressure points. Here are 3 pressure points that are easy to reach.
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Pressure Points May Help Chronic & Tension Headaches
In 2002, a small study looked into whether massage could help adults with chronic tension headaches.
Four adults were given a massage 2 to 3 times weekly, for a period of 6 months. Everyone who participated reported fewer headaches within the first week. By the end of the 6 months, the average number of headaches each person experienced was reduced from almost 7 to just 2 per week. And the headaches they did get were shortened by half from 8 hours to 4 hours on average.
Back in 1990, a larger study was conducted on 21 women with chronic headaches. Participants were given 10 intense, one-hour massages over 2 weeks. The results indicated that those massage sessions led to reduced duration, severity, and frequency of headaches.
Is Acupressure Effective Against Migraines
Acupressure is intended to provide immediate relief, so what’s stopping you from trying it during a migraine attack. But the problem is, you probably won’t even be able to use pressure points while in pain. So yeah, we get it – but luckily, someone else can do that for you without reducing its effects if you show them how.
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Yang Hill Spring Pressure Point
Heres a lesser-known pressure point that you wouldnt think would be a headache pressure point, since its located on the outer leg, near the knee, but it has potential anti-inflammatory and muscle-relaxing effects, says Burns. To target this point, sit on a chair and feel for a slight depression right under your knee, on the outside of your leg. You will feel the depression just in front of a small bone below and to the right of your leg, she says. Then, youll want to approach that point either with firm pressure or a circular motion for a minute or two.
On Either Side Of The Nostrils
Use your fingers to apply gentle pressure to both sides of your nostrils. Your fingers should be at right angles to these points. Keep pressing for a minute to allow the sinuses to drain out this can help prevent inflammation and bring some sinus pressure relief. This pressure point is also good for pain behind the cheeks and helps prevent respiratory illnesses.
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How Can It Help Relieve Migraine Pain
Acupressure is said to be helpful for people dealing with depression, anxiety, nausea, chemotherapy side effects, and many other conditions. The idea is that any physical or emotional pain can be partly relieved by acupressure, so it almost goes without saying that it can be useful for migraine sufferersâespecially when you consider that itâs free, usually safe for most people, and simple enough that you might even be able to perform it on yourself during an attack.
Who Shouldn’t Use A Migraine Pressure Point
Rest assured that acupressure can be used many times a day without causing any harm. But still, take caution and don’t put pressure on any areas where you have burns or infections because it might cause more pain, so avoid those spots.
Also, pregnant women should consult their doctor before trying out acupressure as some points may trigger contractions in pregnant ladies.
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What Is A Sinus Headache
If the linings of the ducts or tubes that connect the sinuses to the back of the nose become inflamed, the sinuses may not be able to drain normally, and pressure may build up within the blocked sinus. There may also be associated swelling and inflammation of the lining of the sinuses, resulting in increased mucus and fluid secretion. This increase in fluid combined with the inability to drain increases pressure within the sinus cavity, causing the pain of a sinus headache. The term sinusitis is used to describe inflammation of the sinus.
What Are The Causes And Triggers Of Sinus Headaches
Sinus headaches are most often a symptom of sinusitis, in which the sinus becomes inflamed from allergies or other triggers like an infection. Sinus headaches may also result from seasonal allergies that last an extended period of time. This is called rhinitis, or hay fever. Sinus infections and sinus blockages can also trigger sinus headaches.
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The Science Behind Pressure Points And Headaches
Theres not too much science that supports the use of reflexology to treat headaches, and the studies we have are small and need to be expanded.
However, there are a few studies that have looked into how massage therapy on the head and shoulders can relieve headaches. This sometimes involves stimulating pressure points on the head.
In one small study from 2002 , scientists investigated how massage might help four adults who were experiencing chronic tension headaches, defined as experiencing tension headaches two to three times per week for 6 months.
In the study, the massages lowered the number of headaches in each study participant within the first week of treatment. By the end of the treatment period, the average number of headaches each study participant experienced fell from almost seven headaches per week to just two per week. The average length of a study participants headache also decreased by half during the treatment period from an average of 8 hours to an average of 4.
In a much older but slightly larger study from 1990, scientists looked at how 10 intense 1-hour massage treatments spread over 2 weeks might affect 21 women experiencing chronic headaches. As in the smaller study, participants in this study received massages from certified massage practitioners. The effects of the massages were then studied on a more long-term time frame.
Do you have migraine attacks too? There have also been studies on stimulating pressure points for migraine relief.
How To Treat Sinus Headache
Heat Up or Steam Up Your Face One of the most effective home remedies for sinus infections is to warm up and moisturize your sinus passageways. If your sinuses are blocked it can help to moisten your sinus cavities by inhaling steam.
What Area Of The Face Would You Massage To Relieve Sinus Pressure Quora
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Warm Or Cool Moist Air
Dry air can make sinus pain worse, but moist air can help relieve sinus congestion. Do NOT hold your head over a steaming pot of boiling water or soup. As tempting as it may be when you feel bad, the hot steam can actually burn your skin and eyes. To be safe, inhale steam from your morning shower, either while youre showering or sitting in a steamy bathroom.
At night, you can use a humidifier or vaporizer to help keep your sinuses open and your nasal passages moist. Just be sure to clean the machines as directed so you dont introduce more bacteria into the air and into your airways.
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What Can Acupuncture And Acupressure Be Used For
Acupuncture and acupressure are both forms of alternative medicine that work to relieve pain. The only difference between them is that Acupuncture uses needles, and acupressure uses non-invasive touch.
You use your fingers on specific Acupoints on your body to stimulate them for relief from headaches.
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Drilling Bamboo Acupressure Point
Drilling bamboo points are located at the indentations on either side of the spot where the bridge of your nose meets the ridge of your eyebrows. To use these pressure points to treat headaches:
Touching these pressure points can relieve headaches that are caused by eyestrain and sinus pain or pressure.
Can You Rub Out A Headache
A headache is caused when there is a sudden shift in the blood pressure in the blood vessels of the brain. Usually, this leads to dizziness and nausea as well. A headache can be very annoying and painful. It can be prevented if you know the trigger. Headaches can be caused by overworking, severe dehydration, stress, skipping meals, excessive alcohol consumption, taking pain medications, hot weather, skipping breakfast, long working hours, improper sleep and many other reasons. Most of the time, headache can be treated with the simple remedies which include drinking a glass of water, spicy food, ginger tea or a cup of black coffee, resting a bit and taking headache medicines..
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Compression Therapy For Cervicogenic Headaches
Cervicogenic headaches result from a disorder of the cervical spine.
A small 2017 study investigated the efficacy of a type of compression therapy for participants with cervicogenic headaches.
The 9 participants in the treatment group received four sessions of ischemic compression, while the 10 participants in the control group received no treatment. Ischemic compression involves applying consistent pressure at myofascial trigger points to reduce sensitivity in these areas gradually.
At the end of the study, the treatment group reported significant reductions in headache intensity, frequency, and duration. This suggests that ischemic compression may help to alleviate cervicogenic headaches. However, researchers need to carry out further large-scale studies to support this claim.
More Research Is Needed
While using pressure points to treat headaches isnt well studied, theres some limited research suggesting that massage of the head and shoulders can help relieve headaches.
Because reflexology is a noninvasive, nonpharmaceutical way to treat headaches, its very safe. Just remember its a complementary treatment. You should seek out professional medical help if you have recurring or very intense headaches.
Precision Pain Care and Rehabilitation has two convenient locations in Richmond Hill Queens and New Hyde Park Long Island. Call the Richmond Hill office at 215-1888, or 419-4480 for Long Island office, to arrange an appointment with our Interventional Pain Management Specialist, Dr. Jeffrey Chacko.
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Does Putting A Glass Of Water On Your Head Help Headaches
Not really. The idea behind this is centering. Centering what? Centering your mind on something to stop the focus on your headache. It works. However, there are more effective ways to deal with headaches. It is a useful method for dealing with mild headaches. However, when it comes to a severe headache, you should probably see a doctor..
What Tests Diagnose The Causes Of A Sinus Headache
It is important that the cause of the headache be diagnosed. Many patients who believe that they have sinus headaches may instead have migraine or tension headaches.
The health-care professional will likely begin by taking a history of the symptoms to help come to the diagnosis. Contributing factors in the development of sinusitis and headache may include a recent cold or upper respiratory tract infection, history of smoking, environmental allergies to dust or molds, as well as recent airplane travel, swimming or SCUBA diving, or other activities involving air pressure changes within the facial sinuses.
Physical examination may reveal tenderness to percussion, or tapping, over the affected sinus that reproduces the pain. Examination of the ears may reveal a serous otitis, or fluid levels behind the eardrum in the middle ear, that may suggest drainage problems in the face and sinuses. Examination of the nose may reveal swollen nasal passages and discharge. Evaluation of the mouth and teeth may find a source of infection, and the back of the throat may be examined for signs of postnasal drainage.
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Does Acupressure Work For Treating Migraines
Acupressure is an alternative form of treatment. For this reason, your doctor may not recommend it as your first line of treatment. However, as interest continues to grow in this field, more research is being done to better understand the mechanisms for this treatment.
For now, several studies show that acupressure effectively relieves pain compared to a placebo, but the research quality is questionable. There are no known major risks associated with acupressure, making it a viable option for individuals with recurrent migraines.
In addition to treating migraines, acupressure may provide relief for other common ailments, including:
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Motion sickness
When To See A Medical Provider
If you are interested in alternative methods for addressing migraine pain, your doctor or healthcare provider can help you understand the evidence behind these practices and what may be most effective for your specific situation.
If you notice new or worsening head pain, see a doctor or healthcare provider.
Do not try to address pain at home if your headaches are severe, if you develop a new type of headache, or if your headaches come with other symptoms like weakness on one side of the body or problems speaking.
If you are taking anticoagulants, have a pacemaker, or have other conditions, ask your doctor before pursuing acupuncture or alternative therapies to avoid potential problems, side effects, or interactions.
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Gates Of Consciousness Pressure Points
The gates of consciousness pressure points are located at the base of the skull in the parallel hollow areas between the two vertical neck muscles. To use these pressure points:
Applying a firm touch to these pressure points can help relieve headaches caused by tension in the neck.
Wind Mansion Pressure Point
Tucked in the hollow at the base of your skill, the wind mansion pressure point can help combat stress headaches, as well as reduce feelings of anxiety. Holding the back of your head with one hand, position your palm so that your thumb is pointing downwards. Press your thumb into the hollow at the skulls base, then hold pressure.
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How Do You Naturally Get Rid Of A Headache
When you have a headache, you dont want to search for medication or try out a new way to get rid of it. You want a quick, easy fix to make your headache go away as soon as possible. Instead of relying on pills and medications, try these all-natural and efficient remedies to get rid of a headache. Before you try these, keep in mind that one way to get rid of a headache is to prevent it. Often, headaches are caused by stress or your surroundings, and staying calm and quiet can help the headache subside..