I get severe headaches that can sometimes last three days. They technically aren’t “migraines,” although that’s often what I call them, because it’s just easier to say “I have a migraine” rather than explaining that my severe headaches fall into the category of “miscellaneous headaches researchers & doctors have yet to figure out because they follow few patterns.” I’ve had them since I was ten.

A couple months ago, I sat down & made up a list of all the things I’ve noticed have caused one of these severe headaches. It was long, & distinguished, & really quite depressing. & then, to make things even better, it was discovered the pain medication can cause “rebound headaches.” Did you read that right? The painkillers we take to get rid of headaches, often cause headaches. That was when I knew it was time to take things into my own hands, & figure out ways to avoid & get rid of headaches without using Tylenol, Aleve, Advil, or any of the other pain meds.

A friend of mine mentioned magnesium, & ever since I started taking it daily, my headache attacks have gone way down. I also take B12 which, among other claimed therapies, is supposed to help prevent headaches.

I also discovered this little product from Bath & Body Works: Instant Aromatherapy Headache Relief. I LOVE this! Peppermint & geranium essential oils smell a little bit weird – but not bad. You rub it on your wrists & temples, & breathe deeply. It’s not an instant charm, but it works rather quickly on the smaller, pesky headaches – which, for me, often turn into the dreaded three day marathons of pain. I also like to use it when someone’s perfume or other very strong fragrance bothers me – it gets rid of the scent in my nose right away.

But these are just preventive measures. This is what I suggest doing when you get a headache that just will not go away. You’ll need:

1.) Ice
2.) Dark room
3.) Headache aromatheraphy
4.) Soft music
5.) Deep breathing

I never, ever thought to use ice on a headache until a few months ago, & so far it seems to work. It can take an hour or so, but this usually does the trick. Use the aromatherapy as mentioned above very generously, & then lay down in your darkened room, eyes closed, soft music playing, & breathe deeply. Place the ice wherever the point of pain is – for me, it’s the area just above my right eyebrow. It’s almost a sort of meditation in order to rid your body of the pain, but you emerge from this state of relaxation calm & pain-free.

More:
- When A Migraine Strikes
- Fighting Migraines
- Oh My Aching Head!
- Using EFT for Headaches & Migraines
- Mayo Clinic Headache Self-Assessment