Most people with headaches actually don’t feel an ache. It’s more like a real burning, sharp or stabbing pain. With over 150 different categories and grades of headaches, here are the 3 most commonly diagnosed forms:

Migraines

These are generally much worse than common headaches and affect 3 times more women than men. Usually referred to as unilateral, as they affect one side of the head only, migraines can be triggered by the menstrual cycle from all the hormonal changes, however during pregnancy when the hormones run wild migraines are less common.

Cluster headaches tend to be a male burden and are painful and focus themselves around one eye and are also unilateral.  During an attack the eyes may start to water and the nose may get blocked appearing a bit like an allergy attack.

Tension headaches are considered the normal type of headache, they are dull but don’t seem to go away and can last several days. The trouble with any chronic headache is that with all that pain it is hard to get anything done.

To complicate the labeling of headaches even further you can have primary or secondary headaches. Primary are when they happen on their own and are not related to any other medical conditions, which occurs in 90% of all headaches.

If there is a secondary symptom such as hypertension or a muscles-ache from poor posture or from a sports injury, the headache is referred to as being a secondary one.

In fact, headaches differ so much from person to person in intensity and pain type to a point where 2 headaches of a similar type but different intensity can end up in 2 different categories Depending on how long you have had them can go into the chronic or acute category.

I experienced one of the more unusual headaches during a dive on the Caribbean coast of Panama where at 60 feet I was hit by carbon Monoxide poisoning from a tank filed with tainted air. This was as if someone had split open my skull and just got worse as I continued to dive. I got to the surface and as put on 100% Oxygen and lay there for 2 hours without moving or talking until it dissipated!

NATURE'S WAY TO ALLEVIATE HEADACHES

Bodywork/massage/stretching/manual therapy

According to the National Headache Foundation in the US, over 69% of headache sufferers have used massage techniques to relax muscle tissues and to relieve stress build-up in the connective tissue. Studies show that this can decrease headache frequency and increase body awareness. Also it provides better blood flow and O2 supplies through into the cranium, where over 20% of your oxygen needs take place.

Acupuncture

This helps to relieve pain by stimulating the release of endorphins in the body, relaxing smooth muscles. It has also been shown through extensive research to reduce the need for treatment medication.

Supplements

I always tell my clients that Magnesium is natures Ibuprofen. It has a relaxant effect on the smooth muscles such as the blood vessels. Those people suffering from daily headaches tend to have low levels of magnesium in their blood. One should be taking between 500 and 750 mg a day.

Riboflavin or Vitamin B2

This vitamin assists the nerve cells in the production of ATP our major energy producing element. B2 has been shown to reduce migraine attacks.

Feverfew herb

This is an herb in the sunflower family and was used by ancient Greeks as a migraine remedy. It is also used as an anti-inflammatory for arthritis sufferers.

It can help the body use serotonin more effectively. Serotonin is our “feel-good” brain chemical.

Remember to consult a doctor if you have high blood pressure or are pregnant before taking these supplements.

Other headache herbs

Peppermint, kava, Echinacea, hemp, basil, passionflower, ginger and wintergreens

Remember what works for you may not work for others so only try one remedy at a time and see what works for you!

Finally here are 2 web-sites for headaches sufferers;

www.migraine.org