Finding adequate pain relief for your frequent headaches can be scary. On the one hand, your headaches can be disruptive, zapping a whole day of work (or, worse, play) for hours spent on the couch, eyes closed, trying to lie as still as possible. On the other hand, however, is the thought of becoming dependent or addicted to opioid-painkillers. With recent statistics which point to prevalent misuse of prescription painkillers, and the FDA crackdown on supplements like kratom, finding adequate relief using something that is both safe and effective can seem overwhelming.
Although this list should in no way serve as a medical guide—you should always speak with your doctor before taking supplements which could interfere with regular medications—these three natural headache remedies could be worth trying.
Lavender Oil
A placebo-controlled study conducted by Mashhad University of Medical Sciences explored whether the essential oil could be used to provide migraine relief. Taking forty-seven patients with a definite diagnosis of migraine headaches, researchers told patients to inhale lavender oil. The conclusion was that the oil was effective at providing pain relief.
To use this method, apply lavender oil to a cotton ball and inhale deeply for a period of 10-15 minutes. Not only can lavender oil provide pain relief, it can also produce feelings of calmness.
Ginger Root
Ginger has been used for centuries to treat a many symptoms, from headaches to an upset stomach. Known scientifically as zingiber officinale , it is a flowering plant related to turmeric and cardamom. Most of the nutrients are located in the root, which has many anti-inflammatory properties. Because of this, the root can reduce swelling and provide pain relief. Some studies have concluded that these properties are what make ginger as effective as prescription medications at providing pain relief.
TMJ Treatment
Most patients think of TMJ as simply a jaw disorder that produces symptoms such as muscle soreness in the jaw, clicking or popping noises while eating, and lockjaw. The truth is that temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ, is an umbrella term. It describes several different jaw disorders. Often these disorders cause symptoms in other areas of the body. One common symptom is frequent headaches.
TMJ is an imbalance in your jaw joint that can affect many of the surrounding structures in the head. Because it frequently results in muscle tension, this tension can carry over into a full-blown headache. If you suffer from any other TMJ-related symptoms, such as vertigo, shoulder or back pain, or jaw pain, you should schedule a dental visit as soon as possible.
A dentist can provide several drug-free treatment options that could lessen jaw pain and control the frequency of your headaches.
To schedule your TMJ evaluation, please call (803) 781-9090 or email Smile Columbia Dentistry in Columbia, SC today.
