One of the most common health problems faced by masses is headache. According to World Health Organization (WHO), nearly every adult suffers from at least one episode of headache a year.
Neurologists classify headaches into two categories, i.e., primary headache and secondary headache.
Tension headaches, cluster headaches and migraines fall in the category of primary headaches, while secondary headaches are those that are caused by any other condition.
Dr. Oz, a globally acclaimed cardiothoracic surgeon, shares some natural and effective ways to treat primary headaches without the use of medications. These are:
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Acupuncture/Acupressure
The ancient pain-relief therapies from China, acupuncture and acupressure can be helpful in treating headache. Acupressure involves the application of pressure to certain points on the body, while in acupuncture, very thin, sterilized needles are inserted in the body at specific points, known as acupoints.
Ginger
Ginger has antioxidant properties and is a rich source of magnesium. It can be consumed directly or in the form of ginger tea to balance the hormone levels in body. It is also known to provide relief from headaches due to hormonal imbalance.
Peppermint Oil
This oil can be effective if the headache is caused due to tension, i.e., tension headache. A few drops of peppermint oil, when applied on the nape (back of the neck) or on the temples, and massaged gently, can be effective in reducing the symptoms of tension headache.
Vitamin B2/Riboflavin
Foods rich in vitamin B2 or riboflavin can be effective in migraine headaches. Several foods that with high concentration of riboflavin and vitamin B2 include green leafy vegetables, milk, lean meat, eggs and so on.
Yoga
Yoga involves stretching of body and various muscles. It helps reduce the severity of migraine attacks and frequency of their occurrences. Yoga can help in stretching the muscles in the neck that are usually responsible for migraine headache.