My favorite way to get rid of a headache: the natural way

1. The first thing I do is feel my neck muscles to see if they are tender and contributing to a tension headache. If so, I will massage them or place a warm pad on them to stretch them out and “unknot” them.

2. I think back as to how much water I had that day. Inevitably I had less than 8 cups. So I start drinking more as I massage any pressure points that are sensitive.

3. A tried and true shop to place pressure for headache relieve is in the supraorbital notch! I am convinced that by putting pressure in this notch that houses the supraorbital nerve, artery and vein, you are causing a vasoconstriction of cerebral vessels which relieve pain. It would also be that pressure on the supraorbital nerve allows a desensitization of that nerves and others in genera. Here is how you do it:

a. Find the supraorbital notch by running your thumb under your brow on the rim of the orbit nearer to the nose. Often when you press on that area, the headache will get worse, which means you’ve hit the right spot.

b. Put intense pressure up in that notch till the pain is significant. Hold for a couple of seconds. Let go and repeat as needed. You can do this to both sides. Avoid extended periods of pressure as studies of extended periods of pressure have not been done to my knowledge. 

c. If all else fails, a super hot shower with particular attention to the shoulder muscles and an early bed time or nap always does the trick. 

I know many MDs who do this and have not had to use a pain med in years.