Quick Ways to Get Rid of Headaches

Many people wonder how to quickly get rid of a headache. The key to fast headache relief depends on the underlying cause. Dehydration, high blood pressure, muscle tension due to stress, or certain foods and chemicals can trigger headaches.

To find relief, it’s important to identify the cause. Here are 16 natural remedies to alleviate headache pain.

Hydrate

First, try drinking water or an electrolyte beverage. Dehydration commonly causes headaches. This remedy is especially effective for hangover headaches caused by alcohol consumption. Make sure to choose an electrolyte beverage without artificial colors or sweeteners. Powdered drink mixes with vitamin C are good options. If you have diabetes, check the sugar content of the beverage.

QUESTION

Caffeine

• Caffeine can often relieve headaches. A cup of caffeinated tea or coffee may do the trick.
• Cluster headaches and migraines are particularly responsive to caffeine.

Hot or Cold Compress

Applying a hot or cold compress to the back of the neck or forehead can relax tension and ease vasoconstriction. Some people find that a combination of heating creams and self-massage on the sore muscles of the neck or upper back can help alleviate headache pain.

Essential Oils, Herbs, and Vitamins

Herbal medicines and certain vitamins can help treat headaches and migraines:

Yoga

Research has shown that yoga, including breathing techniques and yoga postures, can be effective for headaches. Simple stretching exercises and gentle neck rolls can also provide relief.

Coconut and Mineral Water

Mineral water and coconut water are natural remedies for dehydration-related headaches. They are excellent sources of electrolytes without added sugar or artificial sweeteners found in many commercial electrolyte beverages.

Self-Massage

Self-massage on the temples, shoulders, and back of the head can help with tension headaches. Regular massage, either self-massage or with a professional, can relieve chronic neck and shoulder tension that contributes to headaches.

Biofeedback

Biofeedback, particularly neurofeedback, is a technique that can help re-train the mind. It is beneficial for migraines, cluster headaches, and tension headaches.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture can effectively treat certain headaches, such as chronic headaches and migraines. By targeting specific places along the energy meridians, acupuncturists can alleviate headache symptoms.

Exercise

Regular aerobic exercise like walking, running, or swimming can reduce the frequency and severity of headaches. It is important to stay well hydrated after exercising.

Meditation or Rest

Lying down in a dark room for 15 minutes can often stop a headache or migraine. Meditation, specifically spiritual meditation, has been shown to effectively reduce migraines in various studies.

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Magnesium

Magnesium relaxes blood vessels and can reduce headaches. Intravenous magnesium can quickly relieve migraines and tension headaches. Taking an oral magnesium citrate supplement before bed can prevent headaches.

Vitamin B2

Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is effective in preventing certain headaches. Some people, especially those with MTHFR genetic variations, find relief from headaches with vitamin B12, B6, and folate acid.

CoQ10

CoQ10 has been found to be beneficial for recurrent headaches. It helps with various types of headaches, providing a natural alternative to painkillers.

Butterbur

Butterbur herb (Petasites hybridus) has been researched for its ability to prevent and reduce migraines in adults and children. It is typically taken preventively to reduce the frequency of headaches rather than treating headaches that have already started.

Ginkgo Biloba and Feverfew

Ginkgo biloba and feverfew have also been studied for their ability to reduce migraines. These herbs have pain-relieving properties that may alleviate ongoing migraines.

Additional Information

• How I Went From Migraine Pain to Serenity
• What I Do to Manage Migraine Triggers
• Botox Injections for Migraine Treatment

Foods That Trigger Headaches

Foods that Cause Histamine Release and Vasospasm

Cluster headaches can be triggered by foods that cause histamine release and vasospasm. The following foods may trigger histamine release:

• Preserved or highly processed foods
• Canned beans and meats
• Fermented and aged food
• Alcohol
• Shellfish
• Smoked fish and meat
• Nuts
• Beans
• Chocolate

Tyramine-Rich Foods

Tyramine-rich foods can also cause headaches, particularly in individuals with a deficiency of monoamine oxidase (MAO), the enzyme responsible for breaking down tyramine. The following foods are tyramine-rich:

• Aged cheeses
• Aged meats like air-dried beef
• Aged sausage and salami
• Beer, especially on tap
• Red wine
• Fermented or aged foods like sauerkraut
• Soy sauce
• Miso soup

Salt

Salt can lead to fluid retention and high blood pressure, triggering headaches. It is best to avoid packaged and processed foods that contain hidden salt. Check labels and limit daily sodium intake to less than 1500 mg. Watch out for high salt content in cottage cheese, cheese, pickles, olives, deli meat, sausage, snack foods, sauces, and salad dressings.

Natural Remedies for Headaches During Pregnancy

Pregnant women can safely use many natural remedies for headaches, as long as they consult with their obstetrician or midwife:

• Non-medication strategies can provide relief while avoiding over-the-counter medications.
• Proper hydration is crucial to prevent dehydration, a common cause of headaches during pregnancy.
• High blood pressure can cause pregnancy headaches and should be treated accordingly.
• Relaxation techniques, magnesium supplementation, and sodium reduction can help alleviate pregnancy-related headaches.
• Hydrotherapy, involving the use of hot and cold applications, is safe and beneficial during pregnancy. Apply a hot pack to the head and back of the neck, and follow with a short application of an ice pack for maximum relief.

Natural Treatments for Headaches

Many practitioners can provide useful advice on natural headache remedies. The best course of treatment depends on an individual’s specific diagnosis. When discussing your health with a professional, make sure to mention your interest in natural therapies. They can help you make informed decisions and identify the root cause of your headaches.

Specialists who commonly recommend natural treatments for headaches include licensed naturopathic doctors (ND or NMD), licensed acupuncturists (LAc or DAOM), massage therapists (LMP or LMT), and certified Reiki or healing touch practitioners (often licensed as nurses or in related professions).

References:

Wachholtz AB, et al. "Effect of Different Meditation Types on Migraine Headache Medication Use. Behav Med. 2015 Apr 11:1-8. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 25864906

Fofi L, et al. "Acupuncture in cluster headache: four cases and review of the literature." NeuolSci. 2014 May;35 Suppl 1:195-8. doi: 10.1007/s10072-014-1769-6. Review. PubMed PMID: 24867865.

Kim SD. "Effects of yoga exercises for headaches: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials." J Phys Ther Sci. 2015 Ju;27(7):2377-80. Epub 2015 Jul 22. Review.

Rajapakse T, et al. "Nutraceuticals in Migraine: A Summary of Existing Guidelines for Use." Headache. 2016 Mar 7. doi: 10.1111/head.12789. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 26954394.

Mauskop A. "Nonmedication, alternative, and complementary treatments for migraine." Continuum (Minneap Minn). 2012 Aug:18(4):796-806.

Agosti R, et al. "Effectiveness of Petasites hybridus preparations in the prophylaxis of migraine: a systematic review." Phytomedicine. 2006 Nov;13(9-10):743-6.