“Stick It" to Headaches with this Ancient Solution

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted August 3, 2022

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

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 By Dr. Scott Olson, ND