Man suffering from headaches has eyes closed and hands on temples

“Stick It" to Headaches with this Ancient Solution

Dear Living Well Daily Reader,

Tension headaches are more common than most people realize. In fact, two-thirds of us struggle with them.

But as odd as it sounds, many folks don’t always realize when they’re having one.

They know they’re in pain, of course. But they might insist it’s eye strain or a sinus issue. Or they simply chalk it up to feeling worn out at the end of the day.

So they muddle through their days… and nights… feeling miserable and not always knowing why.

But the good news is there are several drug-free ways to reduce tension headaches. And according to recent research, this ancient solution deserves a prominent spot on the list.

Chronic tension headaches occur frequently (at least 15 times a month) and can strike at any time of day or night. Victims of these headbangers often report a “pressing” or “tightening” feeling on both sides of their head like a vise.

Now a new study published in the journal Neurology confirmed that the ancient art of acupuncture can often help.

Researchers tested real acupuncture against a look-alike treatment on folks battling chronic tension headaches. And the ancient practice slashed the number of days out of a month the participants had headaches by 50 percent in 68 percent of the volunteers. The average number of headache days plummeted from 20 to seven.

Even the control procedure that didn’t insert the needles nearly as far had an effect. Headaches went from an average of 23 days a month down to 12 after the sham treatment.

But as impressive as acupuncture is, it’s not the only drug-free treatment we’ve seen work on tension headaches. Others to try include:

  • Chiropractic: Chiropractic care can be very effective against tension headaches. But it tends to work best if you can stop in for a tune-up as often as possible. I would suggest seeing the chiropractor AT LEAST once a month (more if you can).
  • Massage: You can go to a massage therapist or try one of the many effective massage tools designed to relieve tension in your head and neck. Don’t forget to gently massage the tiny muscles under your hair as well.
  • Stretching: Search online for head and neck stretches to relieve tension headaches. I like THIS easy to follow video from Dr. Jo.
  • An Anti-inflammatory Lifestyle: Try to reduce inflammation triggers in life by avoiding sugar and vegetable oils, exercising, and getting enough sleep.
  • Sleep: The way you’re sleeping can make tension headaches worse. Consider getting a new bed or pillow to help keep your neck neutral while you sleep.

P.S. Still battling headaches? They may actually be migraines. But studies show THIS “ocean secret” could slash your risk by 40 percent.

Source:

“Patients with Chronic Tension-Type Headache: A Randomized Controlled Trial,” Neurology (2022). DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000200670

https://n.neurology.org/content/early/2022/06/22/WNL.0000000000200670

Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

View More Free Articles

Mailbag: Natural Fixes for Stubborn Toenail Fungus

“Is there an actual cure for toenail fungus?” —Feeling Frustrated If you are frustrated because you’ve been battling toenail fungus, I’m not surprised. Toenail fungus is incredibly difficult to treat. But don’t give up. With a combination of natural treatments and patience, relief is possible. Here’s what’s worked for my patients in the past… Tea...

Read This

Science Reveals Late-Night Anxiety is REAL (Here’s the Fix)

Ever notice how your problems seem WORSE at 3 AM? It turns out those middle-of-the-night anxiety-filled thoughts aren’t just in your head. Research reveals that your brain actually functions differently after midnight. In fact, what goes on during those dark hours could be sabotage your sleep and your decisions. But before you reach for a...

Read This

Normal Blood Pressure In 4 Weeks WITHOUT Drugs

High blood pressure affects millions of us. And these hypertension (high blood pressure) medications work, but they often come with unwanted side effects. However, we might have another option. A new study confirms that an often-overlooked root vegetable can help normalize blood pressure FAST… Research conducted by scientists at Queen Mary University of London revealed...

Read This

Spice Slashes Age-Related Vision Loss Risk

As you get older, the more likely you are to develop age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In fact, one in seven people over 50 already have some evidence of this vision-robbing disease. That works out to about 1.5 million people. But you don’t have to be one of them. A small change you make starting today...

Read This

Four Medicine Cabinet Culprits Making You Fat

Picture this. You’re doing everything “right.” You’re trying to manage your weight by watching portion sizes, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep. But the numbers on the scale won’t go down. Even worse, you realize they’ve been slowly CLIMBING. If this sounds familiar, the culprit could be hiding in your medicine cabinet. Keep reading to...

Read This

Why Age STEALS Your Sleep—And How to Take It Back

As we journey through life, we may find ourselves becoming unwilling members of the “tossing and turning” club. If you’ve noticed that restful nights are slipping further away with each passing year, you’re not alone. But why does this happen? Let’s shed some light on the causes of age-related sleep changes and explore how you...

Read This

Dodge Dementia with this Two Step Back-to-Basics Plan

You know the saying, “Everything old is new again,” right? Well, it turns out for dementia prevention, it’s spot on. In fact, new research supports two “old-school” solutions for protecting brain health. If you thought shielding yourself against dementia would be complicated, let me show you how simple it can be… When I counsel my...

Read This

Mailbag: Naturally Target Cholesterol

“I’m being treated for breast cancer. However, I was also recently diagnosed with atherosclerosis. My cholesterol is 249, and I was prescribed Lipitor. I’m on a plant-based diet and sometimes eat wild-caught salmon two to three times a week. What are the best natural ways to lower cholesterol?” -Naturally Cutting Cholesterol Hi Naturally, Your proactive...

Read This

Surprising Link Between Balance and Weight REVEALED

Think balance exercises are just for preventing falls? If so, think again. This often-overlooked aspect of fitness could also be the missing piece in your weight loss puzzle—especially as you age. Recent research suggests that improving your balance could be a game-changer for maintaining a healthy weight AND staying steady on your feet. And these...

Read This

These Common Kitchen Tools Could Triple Your Cancer Risk

Could you do me a favor? Take a look in your kitchen drawers. Do you spot any black plastic spatulas or spoons? If so, please keep reading… Because researchers have just discovered something about these common kitchen tools, you can’t afford to miss. They could literally be making you sick. Here’s why… A shocking study...

Read This