Is there any genuinely effective remedy for headaches other than pills?

[louise987]

Genuinely intrigued if anything works other than paracetamol/ibuprofen to get rid of headaches.

At the slightest start of a headache it's an inevitable wait until it gets worse and worse, until I give in an take the tablets. I've tried what I think is everything (no screens, drink water, have a nap) but nothing shifts it other than pills. I wouldn't mind but getting headaches on more days than not and not keen on always medicating.

Any remedies or behaviours that you swear by?

I can't avoid tablets but I can reduce the number I have to take. Instead of waiting until it gets really bad I take tablets as soon as it becomes aparant its more than a minor brief headache. Also I have a bit of cola with it, the caffeine makes the paracetamol work more effectively.

Nothing works except ibuprofen for me, so I don’t delay and take them as soon as I notice the headache.

If you are getting headaches more days than not and you’ve tried drinking more and cutting screens, then I think you need to look into underlying causes. Any nutrient deficiencies or hormone imbalances for example (you may need to ask GP for blood tests to check)? Posture/neck tension? Grinding or clenching teeth, a dentist can check for signs? Eye test?

Have you checked your blood pressure? Willing to try anything? Try a whole foods plant based diet for a month. Read “how not to die.” I have read many successful stories of people stopping getting headaches, migraines, reversing heart disease, diabetes etc on this diet. It’s basically vegan but no processed foods. So example

Oatmeal with fruit
Brown rice w beans and veggies
Salads and sweet potato

Headaches can be allergy related, if you have allergies an anti histamine can help lift a headache if other pain meds don't shift it x

Why would you wait and wait? Painkillers have been developed specifically to deal with issues like this!

Sometimes if I catch it early enough 4Head stick works, especially if it’s a bit of a sinus headache. Migraine type ones I try a cool pack but have to use tablets as well.

Most of my headaches are stress related so a really firm scalp neck and shoulder massage can work wonders. I bribe my daughters to do it

Try caffeine. Caffeine is supposed to help headaches, so maybe taking it at the start would help?

Orgasms
folate
1 paracetamol, 1 ibuprofen and some caffeine

Cup of coffee (if you drink it) and half a litre of water. It's usually caffeine withdrawal or dehydration. I can't remember the last time I took a pill for a headache. Failing that, sleep.

It depends what type of headache. When I feel one coming on I drink lots of water, sit down, attempt some peace and quiet and pinch gently along my eyebrows. Sometimes this stops it in its tracks, other times I need paracetamol, if it's a migraine I am laid up for a couple of days on codeine. Really depends what the cause of the headache is.

Caffeine works for me too but I suppose that’s because my headaches are usually due to caffeine withdrawal

According to an ex boyfriend having sex works. He is an ex for a reason.

Why would you wait and wait? Painkillers have been developed specifically to deal with issues like this!

Totally agree! Always baffled by people who don't make the most of modern medicine that our ancestors would have given their back teeth for!

I am 56. Admit my memory might be a bit iffy but I genuinely can't remember having headaches in the past decade aside from flu jabs/AZ vaccine/mild Covid

I guess the first thing you need to check is whether you are hydrated (copious and clear is a bit extreme, but you will get the idea)

What's your posture like? Do you exercise/stretch?

@Derrymum123

According to an ex boyfriend having sex works. He is an ex for a reason.

Having an orgasm does work for some types of headache. It’s often mentioned when you research migraine relief.

Understand why he’s an ex if he pestered you for sex when you had a headache though!

I find a big hit of carbs and flat coke works sometimes.

The cold patches you can get work miraculously for me! Called kool n soothe or something. I absolutely swear by them!! Would highly recommend.

Also the PP who wasn't sure sex does help my headaches on occasion but not all of them!

Have you tried tiger balm? That can work well for headaches.

Long term headache person here and I find that high strength CBD oil (ideally 20%, not the 5% sold in most places) can get rid of 30% of headaches that I would otherwise need paracetamol for. Provided I take it right at the start when I usually have a fuzzy head rather than outright pain.

60mins of a good neck and shoulder massage at least once a week also works wonders especially if you get a lot of tension headaches. Unfortunately this one is often too expensive and time-consuming to keep up with on a permanent basis.

Orgasms
Exercise

Many of mine are stress-related headaches.
Trying to relax the muscles involved really helps.

Depending on the headache, but if I get one right over my eye/eyebrow I can make it go away by placing something cold from the fridge on it for a while.

I'm vegan and only have caffeine in the mornings, so could sometimes be caffeine withdrawal. Definitely think it's often tension related but sadly can't always have a masseuse on tap when I need one!

Unfortunately my work involves a screen full time so that doesn't help either, but still some ideas to try. Not thought of allergies... is this something commonly associated with headaches? Never thought of that

@Mamabear12

Have you checked your blood pressure? Willing to try anything? Try a whole foods plant based diet for a month. Read “how not to die.” I have read many successful stories of people stopping getting headaches, migraines, reversing heart disease, diabetes etc on this diet. It’s basically vegan but no processed foods. So example

Oatmeal with fruit
Brown rice w beans and veggies
Salads and sweet potato

This is basically what I eat.

Still get headaches.

I’m convinced Big Pharma is keeping the ‘costs nothing’ ultimate solution well hidden, so we keep stocking up on paracetamol and ibuprofen. Neither of which has any clue what to do with a five day migraine.

Tiger balm on neck and temples for tension headache