Relaxation exercises can help with headaches?

For headaches many patients get access to painkillers – often without consultation with the doctor and a far too long period. In chronic conditions, however caution is advised.

There are many different types of headaches and accordingly also different treatment options. In sporadic headaches can ever reach for the tablet, but if the pain is regularly or even chronic, supportive non-drug measures are needed. Who takes painkillers for an extended period, risks being dependent. Especially with tension headaches other prevention and treatment options should be considered.

Tension Headaches are pulling, stinging and pressing pains in the area of the entire head without accompanying vegetative symptoms. You can have muscular causes, which must then be treated. So tension headaches often occur in conjunction with neck pain. It is important to recognize the causes of pain. Muscular causes of tension headaches not take sufficient account of the treatment of acute pain medications may even be counterproductive. He recommends relaxation exercises and a muscle relaxant therapy.

Pharmacotherapy should be complemented by non-drug measures inter alia:

• Relaxation techniques
• Jacobson progressive muscle relaxation
• Autogenous training
• Mindfulness meditation
• Sporting activities:
• Endurance training (cycling, swimming, jogging)
• Back muscle training
• Yoga
• A healthy lifestyle
• Adequate sleep
• Adequate hydration
• It is generally recommended to consult the doctor in case of frequent or long-lasting head and neck pain.