Will A Hot Or Cold Headache Treatment Work?
A commonly trusted headache treatment, practiced by headache sufferers for many years, attests that a lively walk in cool air will help clear their heads and bring relief to their headache. Although this may hold true for some, usually those who attempt this method finish the walk with a bigger headache than they started with. Others, commonly believe that taking a hot shower at the first sign of a headache can stop the headache in it’s tracks. Once again, a great many who try this treatment for headache affirm that this method can turn a minor headache into a major headache.
Do these examples prove that a hot or cold treatment for headache will not work? Not at all! The examples simply mean that every headache sufferer will not benefit from trying these methods. Additionally, while a hot treatment may work for one individual, another may find headache relief from a cold treatment. Then again, there are those who discover that alternating both the hot and cold treatments renders them the most benefit.
To find out which of these treatment options might effectively work for you, a little cautious experimentation will provide that answer.
It is believed that the reason hot or cold treatments may provide relief is because they directly and effectively target the muscles and blood vessels. The pain associated with headache is usually induced by enlarged blood vessels that are exerting pressure on the nerves in the surrounding area. It makes sense that the application of something cold to the affected area would result in a constricting of the blood vessels reducing the pressure put on the surrounding nerves thereby, decreasing the pain.
Headaches that are a result of anxiety and tension tighten up our muscles, pinching the nerves and enlarging the blood vessels. These tightened muscles can effectively be relaxed with an alternate application of cold and heat. The relaxing muscle will then release the pinched nerves and also decompress the blood vessels.
Cure The Headache By Soaking Your Feet In Hot Water
Have a headache? Try soaking your feet in hot water that is ankle deep. This will cause the blood vessels in both your feet and legs to dilate. This dilation will draw blood away from your head, relieving the pressure and provide headache relief. The supplemental applying of a cold compress to your forehead while your feet are soaking, will provide even more relief. How? Just as the hot water soak draws blood away from your head, the cold of the compress prevents heat from moving upwardly to your head worsening your headache.
Cold Headache Treatment Application
You may not have a cold pack to use for the cold treatment, and if not, just substitute a bag of frozen vegetables making sure to wrap a cloth or thin towel around the frozen bag. This will help to insure that you do not get freezer burn. Ice cubes can also be used as a cold pack. Just place the ice cubes in a water-tight plastic bag and wrap this bag in a thin towel before applying to your skin. When applying a cold pack for headache treatment, keep it there for no longer than thirty minutes. Remove, wait a bit, and reapply as required.
Hot and Cold Packs
It is a good idea to buy both a hot pack and a cold pack to keep on hand. These two packs can be used alternately in the treatment of your headaches. There are a variety of choices available that include stick-on cold forehead patches, rectangular packs and fully fitted face masks. There are also available cold packs that fasten with Velcro and can be worn like a headband around your forehead and temples in the event that circumstances prevent you from the opportunity to lie down for your treatments.
Some extra usage examples would be - should your headache be induced by a stiff neck and/or shoulders, try out a moist heat neck wrap to relieve the tension. Headache due to a dental problem or TMJ? Try using a cold wrap for treatment. This type of cold pack will sit beneath your chin, and fasten over the top of your head. An ice pillow offers just the right amount of cooling for menopausal women who are suffering from hot flashes and night sweats, as well as women who take tamoxifen. As mentioned earlier, try a little experimentation and you just might discover the perfect hot or cold headache treatment for your headache relief.
Copyright ©2007 Carl DiNello
Carl DiNello is an Article Author, Researcher, and Website Owner whose articles are featured on websites covering the Internet’s most popular topics.
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