Headaches

ergonomics

Hi all,

I suffer from headaches; 'normal' headaches, migraines, and tension headaches and I'm reaching the end of my tether.

I suffer from tension headaches the most. I carry my tension in my shoulders and thus I get tension headaches and they drive me up the wall. They drive me crazy because I only get them when I don't feel stressed and thus I don't know how to relax. At present my back is killing me as well as my head and I have tried taking baths, going for walks and swimming but have had no relief.

Does anyone have any other tips or advice? I'm a college student so can't afford any costly treatments, much to my disappointment.

Also, I'd love if anyone has any tips on preventing them. I can feel them start and before I have a chance to think it's blown into a full blown headache. They literally come on in under 5 minutes.

Bethany

Hi Ergonomics,
Just saw your post and was intrigued by your name because I was wondering what kind of work you do and what posture etc you are in at work.As you probably know judging from your name, staying for hours in one posture eg at a work bench or a computer and constant repetive movements without breaks will not help. Obviously if you are subject to headaches like you say your first thing is to see a doctor and rule out causes such as sinus infection,migraine triggered by foods such as chocolate, high blood pressure and tumours etc. Most headaches however are found not to have a specific cause but you say that you get them when you are not stressed. Some people only get migraine at weekends for example and it is associated with people who drive themselves hard, are perfectionistic and thrive on stress. Well if that's you and you've got the medical all clear, I think you've diagnosed yourself. Look at diet, alcolol intake, smoking, sleep and finally stress management. Are you living and eating the job, if so, try some changes and I bet those headaches will be much more manageable. If you know of a good masseuse and acupuncturist in your area, it might be worthwhile going for a few sessions to see if that would also help.

Bethany

Sorry,just noticed that you are a student so why not go to the student health centre if one is available. Another thing is that you may need to get your vision checked particularly if you are doing a lot of study .
Look at where you are studying, is the desk and chair at the right height? It's also essential to break every forty minutes when you are working on the computer or studying, both to relieve eye strain and general muscles. Stand up , move around, don't have everything too near you in your study situation, get up to reach the bin etc., use one or two feather pillows in bed rather than bouncy polyester ones.The feather will conform better to your neck shape
Above all , get it checked out with the doctor, stop taking headaches pills as overuse of them causes a thing called rebound headache, and do some exercises like stretching or yoga. Best of luck

eth0_

I would second the yoga idea, anything that strengthens your core muscles and improves your posture will help. Running is also good for relieving stress.

Tree

not sure if you're a girl or what, but if you have largeish breasts and you're wearing a dodgy bra it can mess w/ your shoulders and contribute to headaches.

Lil' Smiler

Hey!

I'm a massage therapist. I'm qualified in various different types of massage and stress management. I've gone through what you are and have treated some people for headaches too.

Try feeling under your Occipital bone which is at the base of your neck.
Chances are it's majorly tense. Press along the tops of your cheeks bones too or jaw they can also carry plenty of tension. So much tension is carried in these places.

Tension headaches don't just come from tension in the shoulders. They generally come from a combination of tight muscular areas, the main areas being, under the eyes, around the temples, the base of the neck, the scalp and shoulders. And for students they can also come from your diet i.e. large consumption of caffeine and not enough water to flush out toxins.

Give yourself some self massage or ask someone to do it for you. I'm saying to do it yourself because you said you can't afford to get treatment.

For the head:
Massage the head in a hair washing motion, get in there and apply some pressure. Work all around the head, work on your forehead too. Head massage can be so good!!


For the Face:
Get your finger pad and press in with a fairly firm pressure out along the eyebrow bone, to the corners of the eyes, under the eyes, out along cheek bones (really hook your finger in under the lowest part of it), along the jawline under the lip. Also press in the same way along your ears and massage your earlobes.

At night when going to sleep, put a hot water bottle under your pillow it will help you sleep and help the tension.

I hope i've been of some help. If you'd like anymore info, PM me. it really got me through my exams last year!! x