Women’s health articles

Natural relief from chronic headaches

by Marcy Holmes, NP, Certified Menopause Clinician

Over the years, I’ve come to understand that headaches are my body’s way of telling me something’s out of balance. The good news in this is that I now know that my daily choices play an active role in preventing my headaches. This means I can act first, not just react.

When I am doing my best at practicing what I preach — optimizing my diet, taking my core supplements consistently, drinking enough water, and exercising with regular walking and Pilates — my headaches are almost non-existent, even during my period!

A healthy lifestyle, one that optimizes nutrition and supports natural hormonal balance, is the first step in any drug-free approach to preventing and treating frequent headaches. Most headaches have multifactorial roots, however, which means relieving them may require multiple strategies.

In addition, there are many different types of headaches, so that means wide variation in triggers and differing components of the headaches themselves. What causes a headache depends on a woman’s individual situation — her nutrition, stress factors, body mechanics — and her medical history. But one thing is certain: in most cases, a headache is a symptom of something deeper going on in her life.

As a headache sufferer myself, I well understand the need to treat the pain in the moment. But to truly resolve your chronic headaches, you may need to figure out what stressors lie at the root. Once you familiarize yourself with the pattern you can treat and ultimately prevent them from recurring.

So let’s start by looking at the most common types of headaches.

Different types of headaches — a brief overview

The three major categories into which most chronic headaches fall are tension headaches, cluster headaches, and migraine headaches. We will discuss each major type separately, as well as briefly review rebound headaches and touch on a less common but serious form of headache known as temporal arteritis. There are many other subtypes — from caffeine withdrawal headaches to menstrual headaches, and the lines between many of these can be blurry, so if you are unsure what type of headache you suffer from, it may be helpful for you to see your healthcare practitioner for a diagnosis. Please note that what we are talking about here concerns most moderate headaches — if your headaches deviate from the norm, change or worsen in a way you find alarming, seek medical attention immediately.

Tension headaches

Tension headaches may be the most common type of headache women experience. They are typically described as a band-like vise that creates pressure and pain uniformly around the head, and may involve the neck as well. Tension headaches can occur episodically or chronically, depending on the individual and aggravating factors. They can even progress to include migraine-like sensitivity to light or sound, and even become a trigger for true migraines in some cases.

The many stressors that can make a woman prone to tension headaches may explain their prevalence. Chief among these are poor head and neck alignment and other postural issues, prolonged computer work, more serious prior cervical strain (such as whiplash), poor jaw alignment, other dental issues such as nocturnal teeth grinding (bruxism), need for eyeglasses, changes in the weather, stress with loved ones or work environment — from there the list is fairly endless! Fortunately, these headaches often respond remarkably well to natural prevention and episodic treatment when needed.

Cluster headaches

This is one type of headache that seems to affect men more than women. Patients describe the pain of a cluster headache as severe, usually one-sided, often associated with symptoms such as nasal congestion, a bloodshot or tearing eye or facial perspiration. The pain of a cluster headache is intense, often prompting a restless pacing behavior. The symptoms can last anywhere from 15 minutes to three hours. Cluster headaches may occur every other day, or come and go as often as eight times in a single day in what is termed a “cluster cycle.” They will frequently begin during sleep, and may remain present for several days in a row, but a series of cluster headaches can also recur months or years apart.

A more severe version of chronic cluster headaches will sometimes go into remission for 14 days or less, and then reoccur. In such a case, a tumor needs to be ruled out with proper medical evaluation. Oxygen therapy with deep breathing seems to ameliorate the pain as the headache is coming on.

Migraine headaches

Migraine headaches are characterized by a series of four phases that occur with some regularity but which do vary widely among sufferers: prodrome, aura, headache, and postdrome.

The prodrome phase may take place anywhere from a few hours to days before onset of a headache, with symptoms that can include mood changes, fatigue, and craving for certain foods that may themselves be migraine triggers.

Some migraine sufferers also experience an aura, with sensations of flashing lights, numbness and tingling, or altered vision before or during onset of the severe head pain. This aura experience is generally short-lived and considered part of the classic migraine sequence, but the majority of migraine sufferers do not experience an aura. Interestingly, the aura phase can occur on its own, with no subsequent headache pain, which is known as optical migraine or acephalalgic migraine, among various other terms. But most migraines occur without any aura, known simply as common migraine.

Pain during the headache phase is generally described as severe throbbing or a pulsating sensation that occurs on one side of the head or temple. It can last anywhere from two hours to three days. This type of headache is usually associated with sensitivity to light (photophobia), sound (phonophobia), or smells (osmophobia) and is frequently accompanied by lightheadedness, nausea, gastric upset, and vomiting.

By the postdrome phase, the pain has mercifully subsided, but the sufferer is typically left feeling tired and worn-out. Some also report experiencing negative psychological effects such as slower thinking or flat affect after a migraine, and in some cases the after-effects can last several days.

Women may also experience migraines at the onset of their monthly cycle. These hormone-related headaches are often referred to as menstrual migraines. Approximately 70% of migraine sufferers are women, and there’s no doubt that chronic migraines can significantly impact a woman’s quality of life. Perhaps this is related to our hormonal fluctuations, or perhaps to how we respond to stress in our lives — but as we know, these two are interlaced!

Migraine theories

As mentioned above, many experts for years considered migraines to be a vascular disorder caused by constriction, then sudden dilation of the blood vessels to the neck, brain, and scalp. The throbbing pain of migraine is then brought on by an abnormal release of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which brings about additional constriction of the arteries supplying blood to the brain.

The New Migraine Theory is developing with advances in brain imaging technology. This neurologically-based theory proposes that migraine starts with electrical “hyperexcitability” in an area of the brain, meaning migraine sufferers may simply have a hypersensitive nervous system that makes them prone to the headaches. A lifestyle or environmental trigger such as hormonal fluctuation, a certain food, or chemical exposure can provoke an attack.

In any event, migraine pain is best prevented and treated — both conventionally and naturally — at its onset. While debate continues about the biochemical basis of migraine headache, what’s important to recognize is that with a little detective work you can learn to recognize your personal triggers, and in many cases abort a migraine before it becomes painful. But more about that below.

Rebound headaches

Another common type of headache we want to touch on is the rebound headache. Many people don’t realize that regular overuse of prescription and non-prescription headache medications is a very common cause of chronic daily headaches. What happens is that the brain becomes dependant on what once helped relieve the headaches, and weaning off the overused product is the only way to break the cycle. This can be a difficult situation to rectify because the sufferer is stuck with headache pain and must slowly taper off the meds.

There are, of course, alternative measures that can help alleviate symptoms of withdrawal from these meds, such as acupuncture, but I encourage anyone with rebound headaches to see a headache specialist or neurologist for consultation. Working together from here, you can develop a plan to really support your body through the withdrawal and stabilization periods.

Temporal arteritis

One rare type of headache that is important to be aware of is temporal arteritis. Temporal arteritis, also known as giant cell arteritis, is an inflammatory condition affecting the medium-sized blood vessels that supply the head, eyes, and optic nerves. It is an uncommon affliction, but women are approximately four times more likely to suffer from temporal arteritis than men, and it occurs most often after the age of 50, coinciding with menopause. It should be ruled out in menopausal women who experience unusual headaches with localized temple or scalp tenderness and affected vision in one eye (eventually in both).

Temporal arteritis can include other associated symptoms, including fever, nausea, or jaw discomfort. There is a risk for permanent vision loss if left unidentified and not properly treated in the acute stages with corticosteroids. If you should experience an unusual headache or a headache with symptoms matching these, you should seek medical evaluation promptly by a specialist or an emergency room physician.

Headache treatments: the conventional approach

As a headache sufferer, woman, and healthcare practitioner, I am a big believer in pain relief. While my colleagues and I want to prevent headaches as effectively and naturally as possible, we also accept the reality that once a headache is entrenched, a woman may need help with the pain. Women need to work and function for themselves and their families, so turning to the medicine cabinet once in a while may be their best recourse.

There are plenty of headache medications, or “rescue treatments” available. But it is important to recognize that headaches are your body’s way of getting your attention and highlighting an imbalance that needs to be addressed. Simply treating the pain without addressing the underlying imbalance will not only leave you vulnerable to further headaches, it can lead to other, more substantial issues over time. And while there are effective natural headache remedies, the best place to begin is with natural prevention.

Natural prevention — start with a headache diary

Most chronic headaches, including tension and cluster headaches, can be helped by dietary and lifestyle changes. Migraine headaches are somewhat different as they may stem from other issues, but they also respond well to natural measures depending on the issues involved.

A headache diary is one of the most useful tools available for this purpose. Tracking your headaches, their quality, quantity, and duration, will allow you to spot triggers over time. You can print out our Wellness Diary and keep a daily record of your eating, sleeping, drinking, and exercise habits, along with when and where you begin to feel a headache coming on. You can also use this page to mark down where you are in your menstrual cycle, if and when you take medication or HRT, and how this may relate to your headaches. When in doubt, write notes on behavior and events. All of this information can reveal surprising patterns if you record it consistently for two to three weeks.

Some of my patients who began a headache diary found that their headaches were directly related to previously undiagnosed food or environmental sensitivities, underlying muscle tension, teeth grinding (a major culprit in TMJ headaches) — even sleeping on a bad mattress! One of my friends consistently developed a migraine the day after visiting her mother-in-law — a trigger she was unaware of until she began keeping a record of her daily activities.

Regardless of the form your headache diary takes on, assessing the support you give yourself in relation to the demands and unpleasant side of your life, is absolutely the first step in determining how to help yourself best.

Once you have a broad idea of your habits and the kind of headaches you suffer from, you can choose to adopt a few or all of the following natural measures on your own. Or you may want to consider membership in our Personal Program, which offers one-on-one guidance by telephone with our Nurse–Educators. Either way, we hope you won’t expect instant results — remember, you are treating your headaches from the ground up, not just at the surface. But if you’re prepared to stick with it and tune in to the elements creating the core imbalance, these measures can often provide full relief from chronic headaches.

Ten ways to eliminate headaches naturally

1. Focus on diet and optimal nutrition.

We always start by suggesting that headache sufferers take a close look at their diet. For many people, sugar, caffeine and alcohol are headache triggers. While it may not be possible for you to eliminate them from your diet, gradually reducing your intake may decrease the frequency of your headaches. Ensuring that your body has all the proper essential vitamins and minerals it needs to work efficiently will also aid in reducing headache frequency and intensity. A balanced diet rich in all the food groups, but focusing on whole foods in their natural state, forms a solid base. We recommend women take a top quality daily multivitamin that includes calcium, magnesium and EFA’s in addition to a healthy diet — because even the best nutrition nowadays is likely to have gaps.

2. Consider testing for food and environmental allergies and sensitivities.

Many patients at our clinic receive blood testing for food and environmental allergies and sensitivities. Many of the larger labs now offer these tests, often with a regional focus. We also use a specialty lab for ALCAT allergy testing which provides detailed guidance.

Headache-aggravating foods worth investigating include alcohol (wine especially), dairy, aged and fermented foods, and any highly processed food product. Substances in foods of greatest concern to headache sufferers include tyramine, nitrites, MSG, sulfites, histamines, tannins, and prostaglandins; plus artificial colorants, preservatives, and sweeteners such as aspartame (NutraSweet).

Depending on your unique physiology, a headache could be triggered by just about any substance. To get a handle on what affects you, consider being tested. And don’t forget your environment; mould, scented candles, air fresheners, cosmetics, cleaning products — even soap — are all suspect. We have found NAET (Nambudripad’s Allergy Elimination Techniques) to be successful at diagnosing and clearing both food and environmental issues.

3. Reduce inflammation with regular detoxification.

Much of the inflammation in your system starts with inflammation of the gut. Good digestion and regular daily bowel movements are signs of efficient detoxification. One of the first signs of sensitivity to a toxin is a headache, and chronic headaches may indicate that your body is trying to process a heavier toxic load. Magnesium at bedtime and a daily dose of probiotics can really help. Consider a biannual detox and colon cleanse if you have any issues with IBS or constipation. We will be covering this topic at length in an upcoming newsletter, so stay tuned.

4. Adopt stress management and relaxation techniques.

Once you start tracking your headaches, you may reach a conclusion prevalent in most healthcare circles: mild to moderate headache sufferers always feel better when they’re on vacation. Why? The answer is simple — stress reduction!

We cannot escape stress, but we can develop better coping strategies for daily challenges — at home and at work. This takes attention, self-care, and awareness. If you feel overwhelmed, begin with small steps you are confident you can take — these will lend momentum toward a greater shift.

Sometimes a therapist, behavioral counselor or life coach can help you explore the emotional roots of your learned coping strategies, so you can get past those that are not serving you well. Don’t forget the possibilities of physical stress — poor ergonomics at work, too much staring at a screen or driving — even carrying a heavy purse or wearing an ill-fitting bra can cause muscle tension leading to headache.

Many women respond to yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises to reduce tension. Others may prefer a more active antidote to stress, like running or swimming. And still others find peace in learning a new hobby or artistic technique. It is up to you to learn what you find soothing and do it more consistently. Think about how you can build “mini-vacations” into each day. Counselors, doctors, books, and classes are all good places to start. I often recommend the book The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook.

5. Get enough sleep.

Sleeping soundly for a good amount of time can surely help headache sufferers in many ways. Most of us thrive on seven to nine hours per night, with less in summer, more in winter for some. If you have trouble falling asleep or find yourself waking in the night, take a look at what you do before going to bed.

You can set the stage for a better night’s rest by making a few simple adjustments. Some women need a small bedtime snack to keep their blood sugar stable. Other women may do well with extra adrenal or serotonin support that can shift their physiology into a deeper, more restful sleep cycle. At the clinic and the Personal Program we sometimes suggest a short-term course of phosphorylated serine or 5-HTP for these purposes. If hormonal fluctuations are contributing to restless sleep, these may be influencing your headaches as well, and progesterone support may help.

Most women find that more peaceful activities during the two hours before bedtime translate to more peaceful sleep. No More Sleepless Nights is a good resource that details successful sleep hygiene techniques and has proven to help sleep in my patients.

6. Stay well hydrated.

Many of my patients’ headaches improve dramatically once they focus on drinking more water daily. Most have no idea they are dehydrated! Your best bet is to increase water consumption slowly, working up to 8–10 glasses a day by increasing one cup per day every three days. Sipping throughout the day is better for you than guzzling large quantities of water in one sitting, but we encourage you to experiment and do whatever works best for you and maintains good results. Many people are convinced they don’t need so much water, but if you suffer chronic headaches, what easier way to take better care of yourself than to drink more water?

7. Evaluate body mechanics and alignment.

Posture and head and neck alignment are huge factors in nearly all types of headaches. Many of us are unaware how significantly our body architecture affects our joints until we face chronic pain. A chronic headache may be your body’s telltale sign that something is misaligned and not working for you.

It is critical to make sure your desk and overall work environment are ergonomically correct for your body’s dimensions and work activities — especially repetitive or computer tasks. Consider strength and alignment training with a certified yoga or Pilates trainer. Pay attention to how you “shoulder” the weight of your life. Are you sleeping in a healthy position? Cradling the phone? Driving? Carrying your purse? All of these activities add up to major stress and lead to head and neck pain over time, so don’t overlook the obvious.

Talk with your dentist about your bite and whether or not you grind your teeth. Ask about whether you might benefit from an occlusal adjustment — a process that realigns the way your teeth surfaces impact each other when you bite down. I recently had this done and my jaw feels tremendously better — along with getting a soft night guard to reduce the damage from clenching. Many dentists now prescribe a night guard to all their patients because it helps relax the jaw so effectively.

8. Get regular exercise and stretch daily.

We all need exercise for its manifold benefits — to the heart, circulation, muscle tone, and stress reduction. Most tension headache sufferers will find immense relief with the addition of exercise — and there is the added benefit of deep breathing and better oxygenation. But remember to pace yourself if you are beginning a new routine, and to support your workout with good nutrition and plenty of water.

9. Explore alternative manipulative therapies.

Many headache sufferers respond well to massage therapy, Reiki, the Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais, and acupuncture. In fact, any form of bodywork or physical therapy that attends to misalignment, administered by a well trained practitioner, may help you break a pattern of chronic headaches. Even a good personal trainer can help. If you pursue Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture, we recommend finding a licensed practitioner. Other women do very well under the care of a chiropractor or osteopath for spinal and craniosacral manipulation. If these methods work in alleviating headaches for you, I would take that as a clue that additional strength and alignment training could help you firm up the web of muscles that supports your shoulders, head, and neck.

10. Support with supplements.

In addition to a full-spectrum multivitamin with EFA’s, we recommend some specific supplements to reduce headaches. Research — and our own medical experience — indicate that magnesium, probiotics, fiber, and vitamin D can all be helpful. Regular use of herbal products containing standardized, purified extracts of butterbur (Petasites hybridus) and feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) can help prevent migraines. A custom homeopathic or flower essence formula is also worth consideration, as they are very safe and yield good results — especially in combination with the above measures — in our natural approach to headache relief for women.

Related to this article:

Further reading on chronic headaches

 

Original Publication Date: 08/04/2006
Last Modified: 02/16/2010
Principal Author: Marcy Holmes, NP, Certified Menopause Clinician