COMPLEMENTARY TREATMENT
Tension headaches are ideal candidates for experimentation with some of the complementary therapies on offer and there are literally hundreds to choose from. Because tension headaches have unique causes in every person, the success of the various therapies will also be individual.
Some of the most generally recognised therapies are listed below, but with the guidance of a registered practitioner, it is certainly acceptable to experiment with any therapies you feel comfortable with. Full explanations of all available therapies isn’t within the scope of this book, but some of the following, which have been briefly described, may be of some help.
Acupressure helps with many stress-originated conditions, and many of the massage techniques can be taught and self-implemented. Therapists say that acupressure acts as a catalyst for the body’s own natural healing abilities.
The main advantage of kinesiology is prevention. Minor imbalances leading to muscle tension and stress can be picked up and dealt with at each session. Biofeedback (and biofeedback training) measures electrical changes in muscle fibres, and changes in skin temperature etc, revealing tension and anxiety. You can then be taught methods of dealing with the conditions that are uncovered, which many tension headache sufferers find helpful.
Auriculotherapy is based on the same principles as acupuncture (which is also recommended for tension headaches) and acupressure, with the ear acting as a crossroad for the various body meridians, ‘this therapy stimulates various acupuncture points in this area, to alleviate pain and ease tension.
Art therapy allows sufferers to move away from stressful, negative situations. You colour, paint, or work with clay as an expression of emotion which releases stress. Colour therapy might he useful. Certainly counselling may help to explore your feelings and release tension that has been built up. Dance therapy offers five different rhythms which can be practised regularly which free the body from tension and move muscles to relax spasm.
Bach flower remedies can work by dealing with negative states of mind. For example, fear, indecision and worry are all negative emotions. If any of these elements are behind your tension, flower remedies might be suitable. Try agrimony for ‘those who hide worries behind a brave face’, elm ‘overwhelmed by inadequacies’, or olive ‘drained of energy’. Rescue remedy can be used for extreme stress and anxiety.
Manipulative techniques such as osteopathy can restore normal function, reducing spasm through manual stretching and massage. Your practitioner can help you set up a suitable exercise regime. Your osteopath can suggest methods for dealing with stress on a long-term basis, by avoiding occupational strain and altering aspects of your lifestyle.
Herbalists suggest numerous remedies: try an infusion of lavender flowers or camomile, drunk daily as a tea. Or valerian and skullcap while in the throes of a painful tension headache. Herbs that are supposed to act as tonics to feed and strengthen the nervous system include borage, oats, orange blossom, limeflowers, white willow, vervain and verbena. Comfrey or St fohn’s wort, in the form of herbal oils, can be rubbed into the neck and back. There are numerous other sedative and muscle-relaxing herbs.
A homoeopath will want to treat your symptoms after a full consultation: homoeopathy works best when based on individual symptoms and personal characteristics. A homoeopath might suggest arnica, bryonia, hypericum and rhus tox; rata for a headache associated with fatigue, and ignatia to relieve that tight hand across the forehead.
Aromatherapy may help in stress-prevention, and in actually dealing with a painful tension headache. Massage necessarily provides deep relaxation, and can often relieve the spasm associated with tension. Sedative and antidepressant oils include bergamol, camomile, clary sage and lavender. Rosemary and black pepper stimulate. Analgesic oils are lavender and peppermint; a cold compress of lavender on the temples, or on the back of the neck, may help. Try massage with a blend of the above oils, or warm baths with a few drops added. Black pepper is not suggested for bathing, hut has lovely rubefacient effects when used in massage. Calming vapours (in a vapouriser, or just on radiators or a handkerchief) are mandarin, melissa, basil andylang ylang.
As always diet is important to keep the body fit and fighting, and tension is always less troublesome in a healthy body. Some therapists suggest thai alternative supplemental Vitamin HI 2 can help during periods of stress, fatigue or recovery from illness. ‘I hey also suggest an increased intake of Vitamin C helps, as they believe that stress and environmental pollutants drain it from the system.. l-Tyrosine, an amino acid, is said to restore the balance of your system, but avoid this if you suffer from, migraines or high blood pressure.
Reflexology can deal with stress, relaxation, strain and fatigue. You can also try relaxation techniques, flotation therapy, music and sound therapy, craniosacral therapy, naturopathy, and NLP (neuro-linguistic programming), among others.
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