10 Natural Ways To Reduce Tension Headache Pain

Apply A Cold Compress

Some reports indicate cold compresses are great relievers of inflammation. This idea is perhaps most popular when dealing with a sprained ankle, as many individuals choose to place a frozen bag of peas or something like that over the injury to reduce the swelling and pain. Cold compresses for headaches help decrease inflammation, release pressure, regulate blood flow, and subsequently, relieve pain.

All of these are wonderful when dealing with a tension headache, provided the proper actions are taken of course. Individuals can either apply the cold compress to the back of the neck or rest it on their forehead. In either case, lying down is the most comfortable position for using a cold compress to relieve a tension headache. Cold compresses can be ice packs or ice cubes wrapped in cloth, gel packs, or even a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in cloth. The key, of course, is to wrap anything frozen in cloth so the sensation isn't too intense to handle.

Monitor Caffeine Intake

Caffeine plays a role in headaches in a couple of major ways. It can help relieve headaches, but withdrawal from caffeine can also make tension headaches not only occur, but also worsen. Thus, it is crucial to monitor caffeine intake when dealing with tension headaches. Individuals who consume high amounts of caffeine daily (e.g., lots of coffee to get through the day) should not quit drinking coffee entirely overnight. Instead, to help with tension headaches due to withdrawal, individuals should slowly lessen their caffeine intake over time. Doctors can better assess this process for each patient, since it will depend on the patient, their lifestyle, and the amount of caffeine they consume and how long they've been consuming it for.