headaches

#1 in Pain Management — Natural Headache and Migraine Relief

March 16, 2013

Just wanted to share that Head Pain Natural Relief is #1 in the Kindle Store at Amazon.com today in the Pain Management category! 🙂 That makes me very happy because that means I’m helping a lot of people feel better.

And it’s #4 today in the Kindle Store category for Alternative Medicine. 🙂

I wrote this book as a serious help for people who suffer from headaches or migraines. As a natural pain relief specialist and also a former migraine sufferer, I’ve got a lot to share!

But, it’s not too wordy. Who wants to read a ton of words when your head hurts? It’s to the point and gives you the possible causes and fixes.

Those numbers can change but that’s where my book is ranked today and I am grateful!

In the Kindle Store, the book costs less than $5.00. Print copies are also available at amazon.com.

I recommend the print version because you can dog-ear the corners and highlight parts that are most useful for you and use it as your ‘head pain bible.’

Here’s the link for the book: Head-Pain-Natural-Relief-ebook/

You know, I started writing online in the first place so that I could “get my hands on” more people at a time. And that’s worked very well. I have had readers from all over the world write to me to say that they are now feeling better because of something that I wrote. 🙂

Right now, my focus has turned from creating new articles on my websites to creating natural pain relief books and programs. Each book will be specific to a certain type of pain–Head Pain, Hip Pain, etc.–so all of the information will be in just one place.

Thank you for giving me a couple of minutes to share my pleasure in attaining these ratings at Amazon.com.

If you click on the link in this article you will be able to see the reviews this book has been getting. I’m very grateful for the people who gave such great reviews to Head Pain Natural Relief.

Thank you!

March 15November 2

Natural Relief from Head Pain

Head Pain Natural Relief can help you get rid of your headaches and migraines! How do I know? I wrote it. 🙂 It comes in soft cover for you to mark up and make notes or in a Kindle version.

If you don’t have a Kindle, don’t worry. You can get a free Kindle Reader App at Amazon.com which will let you read Kindle books on your computer, smart phone or other devices.

Take action now and you can start getting rid of your headaches and migraines today. Really!

Here’s a testimonial from a reader:

This book is loaded with practical tips from the author’s professional and personal experience with headaches. If you’re suffering from a migraine headache right now, I recommend that you skip directly to the chapter called “What helps a migraine RIGHT NOW?” for some easy and effective ways to start relieving the pain right away.

You may also want to take a look at the sections that start with “Trigger points which cause head pain” and use the helpful diagrams and massage tips the author includes to track down and treat the source of your headache. (An example of her massage tips: certain muscles respond better to being “lifted,” “pushed up,” or “unrolled front to back” rather than simply being pressed in on.)

Once you’re past an immediate headache crisis, go back and read the entire book to get a comprehensive look at the possible causes for your headaches and some all-natural ways to reduce or even permanently eliminate them.

I picked up a number of quick and easy tips from this book that I can start using today to immediately reduce my headache frequency and intensity. Plus the author’s tips on posture, exercise, diet, sleeping positions, and more are arming me with a plan for making myself less vulnerable to headaches in the future.

Thanks for the pain relief, Kathryn!

I look forward to hearing that you have gotten rid of your headaches or migraines. 🙂

October 3November 2

What’s Causing Your Headache?

Headaches have causes. What’s causing yours? Here’s a list of several possible reasons that your head hurts:

1. Poor posture. Head pain can happen because of poor posture. But what causes poor posture? A weak back or bad habits when sitting and standing.

2. Certain foods can cause reactions in blood vessels that lead to headaches.

3. Poking your chin out too far. That strains your neck muscles and the muscles at the base of your skull.

4. Being constipated. A diet that has too much processed foods and not enough fiber can cause constipation. So can too little water and poor posture. When your posture collapses it squashes your intestines so stuff cannot move as it should.

5. Aspirin deficiency. No, not really. 🙂 There is no such thing as aspirin deficiency.

6. Losing the natural curves in your lower back and neck. You are supposed to have a little space behind your waist and behind your neck. If you don’t, it’s often referred to as ‘military neck’–too straight.

7. Having too much of a curve in your lower back or neck. There is a fine line between too much and too little curve in your spine. What causes too much or too little curve? Muscles. Habits. Car seats.

Since bodies work in logical ways almost everything that causes pain has a cause. Pain doesn’t happen without a reason.

I wrote this book to help you understand WHY your head hurts and the steps you can take to make it stop hurting.

If you can get rid of the causes of your headaches or migraines there’s a really, really good chance you can get rid of your headaches naturally. 🙂 That’s what this book will help you do–get rid of the causes.

September 18November 2

What Causes Muscle Tension Headaches In The Back Of Your Head

What causes muscle tension headaches in the back of your head?

Here are the most likely causes of discomfort that feels like pressure or squeezing at the base of your skull.

1. You slept with your neck ‘too straight.’ This happens when your pillow doesn’t support your neck. It’s more as though your neck is in a ‘hammock’ position. This strains the muscles at the base of your skull.

2. You stick your chin out when you are trying to see the monitor or something else. This happens especially to people who wear bifocals because they are trying to read through the bottom of the lens and the screen is too high. This shortens the muscles at the base of your skull.

How can you get rid of muscle tension headaches?

1. Massage works. Either find a professional massage therapist or do it yourself. The back of your skull is called the occiput. Make sure the therapist knows how to massage there before you spend your money. You can learn how to do it yourself by getting or borrowing a copy of the do-it-yourself, easy to use trigger point book by Claire Davies.

Basically, to do it yourself, press Continue reading “What Causes Muscle Tension Headaches In The Back Of Your Head”

January 25November 3

What Causes Tension Headaches?

Tension headaches should more accurately be called Muscle Tension Headaches. Muscles are the most common cause of head pain. Almost always, in fact!

When your jaw muscles get tense or your head moves forward, instead of over your body, the muscles around your upper back, neck and face get strained and tight.

Tight muscles clamp down on nerves and blood vessels. The result is a muscle tension headache.

What natural steps should you take to get rid of tension headaches?

1. Watch your posture. Try to keep it neutral and straight. A strong back will help with this.

2. Use a pillow or rolled towel behind your waist to help you sit upright.

3. Ice the back of your neck. Try to wrap your cold pack all the way down to the notch between your collar bones. Some people find heat to be more beneficial.

That’s it in a nutshell: Muscles cause painful tension headaches. Discover more about headaches and natural relief in this easy to use book:

Head Pain Natural Relief

August 13November 3

Tension Headache Natural Relief

Tension headaches should really be called Muscle Tension Headaches. They happen when we do things that tighten the muscles that attach at the base of the head. What are some of these things?

1. Driving. Most car seats tilt back too far or have headrests that push your head forward. Either of these will strain the muscles that cause tension headaches.

2. Couches (sofas) and chairs that have too much backward lean.

3. Slouching or sitting on your tailbone with a rounded back. Slouching or leaning sideways will do it, too.

4. Forward head posture or holding your head in front of your body.

What’s the solution?

1. Padding Continue reading “Tension Headache Natural Relief”

November 29November 6

Do Legs Cause Migraine Headaches? What’s The Fix?

Migraines can be caused by having a short leg.

According to a study by the US Army, approximately one out of ten people have an actual leg length difference. Additionally, about one out of one hundred people have pelvic bones which are smaller on one side than the other side.

According to myofascial (muscle and soft tissue) pain experts and medical doctors, Travell and Simons, a leg length difference of 1/8 inch or more puts you at risk for pain and dysfunction. Why?

Because your body does things automatically to try to correct or adapt or accommodate that difference such as tilt, twist or rotate.

There are two types of “short legs.” Both can cause migraines.

One is an actual anatomical difference which could be caused by Continue reading “Do Legs Cause Migraine Headaches? What’s The Fix?”

November 22November 6

TMJ Pain – Causes of Pain in Your Jaw

TMJ is shorthand for Temporomandibular Joint. That refers to your temple area and your jaw bone (mandible.) The joint is supposed to move smoothly but when it doesn’t you may end up with a diagnosis of TMJ Dysfunction or TMJD.

What can cause your TMJ to stop moving smoothly?

An injury or trauma that causes the joint to dislocate.
Overuse of the powerful jaw muscles in certain positions.
Sleeping always on the same side which may cause your jaw to “drop” to one side.
Having a “forward head” posture which puts a lot of strain on your neck and jaw muscles.
Dental work which Continue reading “TMJ Pain – Causes of Pain in Your Jaw”

October 18November 7

Yoga and Head Pain: 6 Ways Yoga Helps You Get Rid of Your Headache

How can yoga help relieve your headaches? Oh, let me count the ways:

It relaxes the muscles around your chest, ribs, shoulders and neck. These are the same muscles that get tight and cause headache symptoms.
Yoga helps reduce your stress. When you’re feeling all stressed, your muscles “clamp down” on nerves that go to your head.
It helps strengthen the muscles of your backside, and makes you long and strong; it creates muscular balance. A strong back and a long, strong body helps you have good posture. Good posture, with your head over your body instead of out in front, reduces headaches.
Yoga gets your circulation moving and that helps move the metabolic (body) wastes out of your body. It reduces Continue reading “Yoga and Head Pain: 6 Ways Yoga Helps You Get Rid of Your Headache”

July 24November 7

Why do Musicians and Band Members Get Back & Neck Pain?

Playing musical instruments can be a pain in the neck.

I was at a high school symphony band concert and was struck by the extremely poor posture and “forward head posture” of many of the musicians.

Even though a lot of young people have “forward heads,” it was much more so with the musicians than with the general student population.

Why would this be?

Most of us hold our arms and heads in front of us most of the day, but musicians–musical athletes–hold their instruments for extended periods without the opportunity to stretch or relax the muscles that support their instruments.

What could help? Stretching, strengthening and massage.

The muscles in the front of the body support the instrument. The are the ones that are Continue reading “Why do Musicians and Band Members Get Back & Neck Pain?”

April 30November 7

Yoga and Headaches – 6 Ways Yoga Gets Rid of Head Pain

How can yoga help relieve your headaches? Oh, let me count the ways:

It relaxes the muscles around your chest, ribs, shoulders and neck. These are the same muscles that get tight and cause headache symptoms.
Yoga helps reduce your stress. When you’re feeling all stressed, your muscles “clamp down” on nerves that go to your head.
It helps strengthen the muscles of your backside and makes you long and strong; it creates muscular balance. A strong back and a long, strong body helps you have good posture. Good posture, with your head over your body instead of out in front, reduces headaches.
Yoga gets your circulation moving and that helps move the metabolic (body) wastes out of your body. It reduces swelling which can also be a cause for head pain.
It helps you become more “in tune” with your body. When your muscles start to complain or your head starts to hurt, you will be able to figure out the cause and correct it.
Yoga can help reduce your blood pressure, but if you are having high blood pressure headaches, you’d better get to a doctor immediately!

Yoga is a full-body stretching and strengthening movement program with a lot of benefits.

If you take a class, always remember: It’s your body. If a move doesn’t feel appropriate to you, or feels like it will make your head hurt or your headache feel worse, DON’T DO IT. Instead, practice a different movement (pose) or breathing.

So, yoga helps take the pressure off the muscles around your head and neck, and helps you relax, and reduces stress, and improves your breathing (shallow breathing could also be a cause of your headaches by not giving you enough oxygen.)

That’s how yoga can help you get rid of your headaches.

Here’s another way I can help you get rid of your migraines and headaches: Head Pain Natural Relief

April 23November 7

Why Do We Have Pain? Self-Help for Backaches, Headaches, Fibromyalgia & More

There are reasons why we have pain. We don’t get a backache or a headache or any other pain unless there is a reason.

Chiropractor Greg Fors has written “A Complete Physical & Spiritual Guide To Healing Your Chronic Pain WHY WE HURT Your Total Self-Care Guide for Backaches, Headaches, Shoulder Pain, Arthritis and Fibromyalgia.”

Yes, that is a very long title, but perhaps that’s okay because it’s a very thick book. Dr. Fors explains that pain can be healed. He tells us the causes of pain, which he believes are 3: physical, biochemical and spiritual.

Dr. Fors goes into the causes of pain, too. Some of the causes may never have occurred to you. He’ll tell you where the toxic chemicals that affect your health come from, and much, much more.

Why We Hurt is a logical, well-written, pretty easy to read pain relief book.

April 17November 7

Headaches: How Does Your Posture Cause Head Pain?

I’ll bet your doctor doesn’t look at your posture when you tell him or her about your head pain. Most don’t. But, she should!

Poor posture is the most common cause of headaches.

Why? Because muscles are responsible for most of our pain.

Tight muscles pull on bones. Tight muscles cause bone spurs (arthritis.) Tight muscles press on nerves and blood vessels. Overstretched muscles get trigger points which “fire” pain into other parts of your body, sometimes quite far away.

To be fair, there are a few doctors who do look at posture. When they don’t, it’s because they haven’t been trained in “muscular medicine” or because they simply don’t have time.

But, poor posture is responsible for most pain and dysfunction, including headaches.

You can see that there are a lot of ways for your muscles to cause head pain because muscles have many roles.

Bones act as our structure: they are Continue reading “Headaches: How Does Your Posture Cause Head Pain?”

April 8November 7

Is Your Posture Good Or Poor? How Can You Tell?

Is your posture good or not-so-good?

People with poor posture look like they are leaning or collapsing forward.

Often their head is way forward in front of their body (“forward head posture.”) The curve in their neck is either too much or too flat, and so is the curve behind their waist. Their shoulders round forward.

Poor posture impacts a LOT of your body! Almost every part of your body is affected by collapsed posture.

Here are several things you can check so you will know whether your posture is good or not-so-good.

1. Stand up and hold your arms at your sides in their usual position. Look down. If your thumbs are pointing to each other, your shoulders are rounded forward. Your chest muscles are tight and shortened. They are pulling your shoulders forward. 🙁 But, if your thumbs point straight ahead, your shoulders aren’t rounded forward. 🙂

2. Are you constantly straightening up and constantly collapsing forward again? That’s a clue that the muscles in the Continue reading “Is Your Posture Good Or Poor? How Can You Tell?”

November 25November 7

Uncommon Migraine Pain Relief Tips

Your head may actually pound. Light hurts your eyes. Every sound is noise and the noise is all too loud. You might even throw up.

You feel bad, and you look bad, too.

I really can’t think of anything worse than a really bad migraine.

A broken leg may keep you from moving but a migraine headache keeps you from being!

Migraines come in variations. Some are worse than others and some are merely horrible. They affect every system in your body.

Some people believe that headaches and migraines are closely related.

I’m one of those people. For years and years, I never had “just a headache.” Each time I started with a headache, I ended up with a migraine.

The best way to avoid migraines is to have perfect posture.

For those of us who are prone to headaches and migraines, any little strain on the muscles around our neck or head can, and will, cause pain.

Keeping a strong back, including the muscles in the back of your neck, helps hugely.

Learning how to have perfect posture will make a big difference in the frequency and severity of your head pain. It’s really important that you have good posture when you sit, when you stand, and you even need your neck and head propped correctly when you sleep.

Avoiding the foods that cause migraine pain for you helps, too. I had a friend who would get instant migraine when she ate an orange. After a while, she started avoiding oranges. Other times, it is not an instant reaction but may take a couple of days.

A varied and healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables helps for many reasons.

One of the reasons is that constipation can create conditions for a migraine. It may be the pressure from the packed intestines on the blood vessels in the abdomen that causes a migraine, because migraines are vascular headaches. That means they are related to what is happening with blood vessels.

“Keeping things moving” through your intestines with a good diet helps prevent migraine. You might consider taking additional fiber from a bottle to avoid constipation.

Also, many headache and other medicines actually cause constipation.

Avoiding a migraine in the first place is a much better strategy than trying to get rid of it after you are already hurting.

But, when a migraine sneaks up, or flat out attacks, despite your best efforts, here are a few tips to help ward off or lessen your pain.

* Ice. Ice the base of your skull. Use a cold pack and put yourself in the most comfortable position you can. Use a thin towel between your skin and the cold pack. You can ice and use the next tip at the same time.

* Cold. Place a cold, almost dripping wet, cloth on your forehead and eyes. You can flip it over as it warms up from your heat. You can keep a pan of ice water next to the bed to re-wet and re-chill the cloth. You can use put a plastic bag under a towel behind your head. That will keep your bed dry.

* Compress. Wrap your head in a long towel so that it is like a turban. Cover your eyes and ears with the turban, too. The idea is to compress your head, to squeeze it. This is comforting, blocking out noise and light, and helps reduce the pain.

* Alka Seltzer. Aspirin does not touch a migraine, but…two tablets of Alka Seltzer, if taken at the beginning of a migraine attack, often knocks out the migraine. I suspect that this happens because it is a large dose of aspirin all at once, rather than gradually.

You can find more information and ways to get rid of head pain naturally in Head Pain Natural Relief, at Amazon or your local library.

Check out Simple Strengthening for help to fix your posture. Good posture will help reduce your headaches.

“Because you deserve to feel better!”