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The One-Minute
(or so)
Healer
by Dana Ullman |
Headaches (Tension)
"When the head aches,
all the members partake of the pain."
-- from Don Quixote, by Cervantes
(EDITOR'S NOTE: The remedies
presented here have taken from the book: "The One Minute (or so)
Healer" by Dan Ullman, MPH. While we present 10 suggestions here, the
book
contains 19 one-minute strategies for
headaches.)
Approximately 90 percent of
headaches are tension headaches, but perhaps they should be called "tension
neck- and backaches" because it's the tightening of the neck and back
muscles that usually creates the head pain.
Tension headaches seem to be an
equal-opportunity affliction. They can be caused by almost any type of stress:
too much or too little exertion, too much or too little excitement, too hot or
too cold temperatures, too much or too little sleep, too erect or too limp
posture, too much or too little food, and so on.
Tension headaches can lead to
irresponsible behavior, which can, actually, have a real practical value. You
may tell your spouse, "I can't do the dishes, honey." You may tell
your employer, "I can't finish that project." You may tell your
children, "Shut up and stop having fun." This selfish behavior might
lead you to rest and take care of your headache.
Sometimes it seems that a
headache is nature's way of getting you to relax.
If, however, your teeth are
clenched so tightly that people think you're doing a Clint Eastwood
impersonation, if your neck is so tight that U.S. Steel wants to patent this
musculature, and if your eyeballs hurt when you move them, then you are paying
the price of not resting and enjoying yourself enough. You now have some
catch-up to do.
If your eyes are not cooperating
with you because of a headache, get someone to read the following strategies to
you.
Don't relax... at least not yet
An effective technique for
reducing tension headaches is to tighten muscles in the head, neck, and jaw for
five to ten seconds . . . and then release them. You may find that you will be
able to achieve a deeper level of relaxation from this simple exercise.
Get in touch with the temples
Remember the old aspirin
commercials showing a furrow-browed man with an awful headache? As you may
recall, he is seen massaging his temples. There are important acupressure points
at the temples that are often effective for relieving tension. Place four
fingers (not the thumb) along both temples, and do a circular massaging motion.
Massage for a minute . . . and call me in the morning.
Head to acupressure
The head and neck are full of
invaluable acupressure points that can release tension when they are pressed
firmly. Search your head and neck for "hot" points -- that is, points
that seem to be sensitive to pressure. Press them for at least five seconds,
relax for five seconds, and repeat several times.
Your head is in your hands
There is an acupuncture point
just barely below the nail of your middle finger. If your pain is primarily on
one side, then press the point on that side's hand, and if on both sides, then
alternate pressing each hand.
Head for the herbs
Various herbal teas can help you
relax. Place a tablespoon each of chamomile and skullcap into a cup of boiling
water, and let it steep for five minutes. Another good combination of herbs is
one teaspoon each of hops and peppermint, and two teaspoons each of chamomile,
rosemary, and wood betony
Support your head
Evening primose oil and gingko
help improve circulation to the head and can help reduce headache pain. Take 500
mg of primose oil and gingko tablets three times a day.
A bright idea
Cool-white fluorescent lights,
which are commonly used in many businesses, give some people headaches. Ask your
employer to help enhance worker health and productivity by replacing these bulbs
with full-spectrum lighting.
Watch Candid Camera reruns
Laughter releases tension. You
may laugh your headache off.
Play a different game
Tension headaches can result
from an over-competitive personality. Create win-win situations. Appreciate the
art of losing. Honor the quality of the performance, not simply the first prize.
Consider the Migraine Headache
strategies
The methods in the previous
section may benefit you, too. Experiment with them.
This
article was
excerpted from
"The One Minute
(or so) Healer"
by
Dan Ullman, MPH
Info/Order this book
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