Headache And Neck Ache

Headache refers to a discomfort or pain in the head. The ache can either be sharp and intermittent or it could be a dull constant throbbing pain. One may also experience it at several spots in the head, or correspondingly it could be a painful throbbing in just one spot. Neck ache on the other hand is more often than not a sprain caused to the muscle tissues and tendons present in and around your neck. Neck aches are most usually caused due to uncomfortable sleeping postures, bouts of excessive physical activity or even an extremely stressful lifestyle. Headache on the other hand could be due to a variety of factors ranging from sinusitis, eye strain, lack of sleep, stress, a head injury or in extreme cases, migraines.

In both cases, if the pain persists despite repeated home remedies, one should always consult a doctor to rule out further complications. However, a common headache or neck ache can be quite effectively treated using simple home remedies. One of the most commonly used treatments for a common headache is soaking a ball of cotton in arrack and placing it on the forehead. Lying down in a dark room for about thirty minutes with an arrack soaked cotton ball placed on the forehead can visibly relieve you of your severe headache. Alternately, you could also place thin onion slices on your forehead and rest with your eyes closed for at least half an hour. Some home remedy cohorts also advise the application of peeled potatoes sliced and tied tight with a wet cloth on the forehead. Another effective herbal remedy is the use of lavender leaves. Boil some lavender leaves in a cup of water, cool and strain the liquid. Now drink this concoction at least 3 to 4 times a day to help heal the headache. Drinking a cup of strong black coffee with the juice of half a lemon added to it is also known to be therapeutic for headaches.

Neck pain, on the other hand can be quite easily relieved with a few simple exercises. Move your neck to and fro first and then slowly start rotating it. Repeat this exercise for at least 15 minutes at frequent intervals throughout the day. Study the pain when moving your neck and avoid any movement that provides additional discomfort or pain. Hot and cold compresses work effectively too. Application of an ice pack for thirty minutes and a hot compression bag for twenty minutes alternating between them works wonders in reducing the pain. Repeat this for a couple of hours to relax the tendons in the muscle.