Most people get headaches occasionally. In fact, according to the Cleaveland Clinic, over 75% of adults across the globe experienced a headache last year. However, chronic headaches and migraines can significantly impact your life. People generally use prescription medications to alleviate their symptoms and over-the-counter drugs to take the edge off the pain. Yet, some medicine can upset your stomach, causing people to be put off taking medication every time they feel a headache or migraine approaching. Fortunately, non-medication remedies can alleviate the pain associated with headaches and migraines.
Page Contents
- 1 Before We Discuss Treatment, Let’s Talk About The Causes
- 2 Prevention is Key
- 3 Cold Therapy: A Nearly 200 Year Old Proven Pain Management Method
- 4 Cold Therapy Is Effective, But Sometimes A Little Heat Goes A Long Way
- 5 What’s the Most Effective Way to Use Ice Packs for Migraines and Headaches?
- 6 When Medication Doesn’t Cut It, Rapid Aid Offers 100% Drug-Free and Natural Pain Remedy
- 7 Start Providing Drug-Free Relief To Your Customers Today
- 8 Contact Rapid Aid For More Information
Before We Discuss Treatment, Let’s Talk About The Causes
You will likely be shocked to learn that over 150 different types of headaches have been discovered. However, most of them fall into two categories: primary and secondary headaches. Primary Headaches are not related to another medical condition (such as a tumor, infection, etc.), while secondary headaches are. Here is a breakdown below:
| Primary headaches are caused by: | Secondary headaches are caused by: |
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As we mentioned before, three-fourths of the adult population suffered from a headache in the last year. This undoubtedly results in absenteeism from work and school, so it’s important to understand how headaches arise and how to treat them quickly and effectively.
Any of the following can cause headaches:
- Medical condition
- Weather
- Stress
- Menstruation
- Bright Lights
- Alcohol
- Genetic depisposition
- Age
- Physical Activity
- …and more
Prevention is Key
A few ways individuals can prevent headaches/migraines or lessen their severity without any pharmaceutical or medical intervention are:
- Eating a healthy diet made up of lots of nutrient-rich fruits, vegetables, grains, and proteins
- Drinking lots of water throughout the day
- Getting daily fresh air
- Getting 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night
We know it’s often easier said than done, but these are things that everybody is capable of doing each day.
The graphic below shows different foods, drinks, and medications that individuals should avoid to prevent headaches or migraines. Knowing which item(s) is causing problems can be overwhelming, but it’s likely worth the sacrifice for frequent sufferers.
Cold Therapy: A Nearly 200 Year Old Proven Pain Management Method
You may be surprised to learn that cold therapy has been used to remedy headaches and migraines for nearly 200 years. In 1849, James Arnott, a pioneer in cryotherapy, found that applying a mixture of salt and ice to the affected area significantly reduced the pain caused by a headache. Although medicine and technology have changed at an unbelievable rate, the effectiveness of cold therapy on pain still holds as true as ever. Prestigious organizations such as the National Headache Foundation and the Mayo Clinic recommend ice packs and cold compresses to alleviate migraine and headache pain. In 2013, a study indicated that applying a cold pack to the neck when someone first feels a migraine coming on can significantly reduce pain. Researchers have unanimously concluded that cooling packs help reduce inflammation by cooling the blood flow to the carotid artery in the neck. This process numbs the pain so that the individual can rest or move forward with their day.
Cold Therapy Is Effective, But Sometimes A Little Heat Goes A Long Way
For chronic migraine sufferers, a cold pack serves to constrict blood vessels quickly and reduces the neurotransmission of pain. Contrarily, a heat pack is the best defense for tension-type headache sufferers as the heat increases blood flow to the affected area, which relaxes tense muscles that cause muscle contraction headaches.
What’s the Most Effective Way to Use Ice Packs for Migraines and Headaches?
There are numerous ways that individuals can use hot or cold therapy as a home remedy to alleviate the discomfort of migraines and headaches. For example, apply the cold pack to the affected area for up to 20 minutes to get the most benefit, and where a cold pack is applied makes a difference. For example, if someone experiences all-over pain or aching in their head, using a cold wrap around their neck may provide them with much-needed relief.
Individuals can also try applying an ice pack to the base of their skull, leaving it on for 20 minutes, and then removing it for an hour. Alternating between leaving the pack on for 20 minutes and then off for an hour can significantly reduce the pain caused by the headache or migraine.
It’s important to note that individuals may experience the following symptoms while applying cold therapy, but it is completely normal (and temporary) to experience them: Cold, Aching, Numbness or Burning.
Let comfort be your guide. If the ice pack presents more problems than solutions, don’t hesitate to remove it, mainly to prevent skin irritation.
When Medication Doesn’t Cut It, Rapid Aid Offers 100% Drug-Free and Natural Pain Remedy
With over 45 years of experience in the hot and cold therapy industry, we are experts at producing innovative yet effective products. Our products are used by migraine and headache sufferers all over the world.
For instance, our gel bead eye mask is a reusable product that can help relieve headaches that peak near the front of the forehead or around the eyes. People who suffer from ocular migraines will also benefit from this direct administration of cold pressure. On the other hand, those that get headaches from anxiety and tension in their shoulders will benefit more from the gel neck and shoulder wrap ice pack.
Of course, sometimes people can’t identify the root of their headache, which is where our classic 11-inch ice bag is the perfect tool and easily marketed to consumers due to its versatility. We also have a reusable Hot & Cold Therapeutic Oat Bag that is an excellent option to target consumers who want both heat and cold options in one product.
Start Providing Drug-Free Relief To Your Customers Today
Medical and retail businesses interested in selling natural products that alleviate pain to their customer base should investigate the full range of cold and heat pack products available from Rapid Aid. We are proud to offer private label solutions so that you can create your own branded range of natural pain relievers to feature at your shop or website. Alternatively, if you do not have the volume to run a private label, let us take care of your needs with our in-house, nationally, and globally recognized brand, Rapid Relief, that you can sell on your shelves or through your supply chain.
Contact Rapid Aid For More Information
Using an ice pack is a safe, affordable way to obtain relief from debilitating head pain. Alternative forms of pain control are the future of medical management. If you are ready to embrace the movement, contact Rapid Aid.
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. If any of the suggested remedies don’t alleviate your pain, you should talk to your medical provider about your symptoms. It’s important to discover the underlying causes of chronic pain and receive the appropriate medical treatment.
