If you have ever had tension headaches, and found a relief for them, please let me know! I want to know what you did to minimize the tension headache, or what actually helped get rid of them?
Stephanie from Paterson, NJ
The Advil website has good information about the causes of tension headaches.
http://www.advil.com
I have suffered from them due to anxiety for years. The two things that I have done that worked the best were massage therapy and meditation techniques. Yoga would be worth trying too. Good luck!
(02/21/2008)
By lalala...
The thing that helps me the most is to go to sleep. Even a short nap can help tremendously. If that isn't possible I get relief resting my head and neck on a heating pad. Put it on the lowest heat setting and cover it with a towel because even the lowest setting can get pretty hot. And do not fall asleep on it! (02/21/2008)
By joan pecsek
Excedrin makes a tension and migraine formula tablet. I have tension headaches and they both work well for me. I get mine at Wal-mart. Good luck. (02/22/2008)
Try using moist heat on your neck, shoulders, and upper back (microwavable heat packs are great!).
Take frequent stretch breaks if you work at a computer terminal all day. A good stretch is the "military stretch." Back ramrod straight, chest out, head up. Hold for three minutes and do every couple of hours or so if you work sitting down all day.
You can also visit TensionHeadaches.com for more information. (02/22/2008)
By Doug Fogel
I also take a nap when I can. I find that Aspirin-Free Excedrin (the Tension Headache formula) helps tremendously. I think it may be the small amount of caffeine that's in it. (02/22/2008)
By Maryeileen
I have to agree with everyone else Excedrin Tension Headache pill's are great. However if you find you are nauseated this could be a migraine, either way for either headache my doctor told me to take Dramamine spelled something like that. Also before you take your meds please remember to eat something and never take meds on a empty stomach. And I agree a nap also helps. Try that Excedrin I think you will be happy!
Take care and try to find some way to relax each day. Watching a good movie, a walk if you do not live where it is about 10 degrees give or take a few degrees. Lunch and movies with friends, a good book, a nice warm bath with a magazine if at all possible. A massage is great, but don't make plans for after the massage as you always feel like they can just help you out to your car and pour you back in. If money is a problem try an institute wear the girls learn to give massages.
The ones who give the messages have to have so many hours in to graduate and it cost about $20.00. If money is no problem try the massage with the rocks they place on your back (pure bliss!). At any rate try to find ways to relax. You need to for your health! Good luck and have some fun. (02/22/2008)
By dar
My massage therapist helped me with this. It works better than pain killers! On the back of your head on the underside of your skull, right at the base of your head there are pressure points. They will be very sore. If you massage them it does huge amounts of good. Your will know how much you can take at a time. It will hurt while you are massaging them, but I always get relief. Also deep breathing. Blessings! (02/22/2008)
By velsgal
I find that visiting a chiropractor on a regular basis is a life-saver. Hope you find some relief. (02/23/2008)
By Marsanna
I have also found relief using a massaging shower head with the hottest water I can stand. I recommend avoiding sleeping on your stomach and try to find a pillow that supports you head and neck. I also do shoulder shrug/rolls frequently and gently tilt my head from side to side and front to back and hold for about ten seconds in each position. (Don't overstretch, just till you feel a very slight stretch of the muscles - not a pull).
By Jenny
I have had headaches my whole life including migraines. The only thing that touches it is Advil liquid gels. But one thing I have by my bedside that I love is Bath and Body Works headache cream. It is in their aromatherapy line and it works great. It smells of peppermint and is just so soothing it almost puts me to sleep. Also, fill a tube sock 3/4 with uncooked rice sew that top closed and nuke it for a minute or so for a wonderful moist heat pack. I actually sew mine using a fleece fabric into a tube and continue as above. Hope it works! (02/24/2008)
By Carol
There are so many great tips here to follow. I've battled stress headaches and tension headaches for a good portion of my life. One thing that really helps me is walking by myself. It doesn't have to be an hour walk. It could be for just fifteen minutes, but it allows me to clear my mind and put things in proper perspective. I'm able to prioritize my problems and deal with them in a more orderly fashion instead of trying to solve them all at once. When you try to take care of everything all at the same time, even the slightest problem can seem overwhelming. The mere fact of being outside in the fresh air is also very relaxing.
The other thing that really helps me is using an aromatherapy eye pillow. I keep the eye pillow in the freezer so it's always ready to use. I use one with peppermint leaves, peppermint oils, and flax seed.
The weight of the flax seed works like acupressure on my eyes and temples. The flax seed holds the cold in to help reduce swelling and stress around my eyes. The peppermint scent just opens my sinuses right up and helps me breathe so much better. That alone helps me to relax. The eye pillow itself blocks out any light which always helps my headaches! The company I purchased it from is A Touch Of Satin. Their website is http://www.atouchofsatin.com if anyone is interested.
They use organic flax seed and organic peppermint leaves and that was important to me. If you think this will help you then you might want to give them a look. I hope this helps everybody. It certainly helps me! (01/21/2009)
By CathyF
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