by Cathlene Scoblionko NP
Many people who suffer from headaches search for a way to prevent them, as well as, treat them in a way that involves less down time, less medication, and less expense. There is no doubt that there are some great medications out there for treating the different kinds of headaches. Muscle tension headaches respond well to NSAIDS and muscle relaxants, migraines respond well to the triptan medications. However, most medications do just that- treat the headache once it is there. There are some medications that are preventative but require daily dosing which can be expensive and increase the possibility of side effects. What types of complementary or alternative methods might there be to prevent headaches? We cannot answer that question until we know what causes headache pain.
What are some of the common muscle tension or stress headache triggers?
How can headaches be prevented?
If you use the above techniques and still suffer regularly from muscle tension headaches you should have another work-up to rule out more serious problems. If the work up has already shown nothing more, make an appointment to discuss a personalized integrative medicine approach to headache treatment and prevention. The above lists are, by no means, comprehensive. I didn’t even touch on the dietary influences. More to come.
Cathy Scoblionko NP is a Board Certified Nurse Practitioner at National Integrated Health Associates, NIHA, an integrative medicine and dental center serving the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia metro area. Her areas of specialty include Holistic Primary Care, Hormone Balancing, Anti-aging medicine, and Women's Health.