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Did you know that there are basically two types of headaches? They are vasoconstrictive and vasodilative and once you know which one you have, you can learn how to prevent them and stop the pain.

Vasoconstrictive Headaches

This type headache is generally caused by muscle tension in the neck and shoulders that inhibits the flow of blood and oxygen to the head. This muscle tension can be from many cause, stress, physical ailment or lymphatic stagnation.

Symptoms: Some people refer to these as "tension" headaches but they can be very severe. The symptoms include pressure, a tight, crushing pain that feels like your head is in a vice or being compressed. Many times the tension in the neck and shoulders can cause subluxation in the neck where the neck just feels like it's out of place.

Treatment: A chiropractor is skilled in relieving subluxations and may be helpful. You can also try massaging the neck, shoulders and head sometimes that works just as well. In addition to basic massage techniques, a hot compress can be helpful. Herbs, taken internally, will help to relax the muscles and increase blood flow to the head. These antispasmodic herbal remedies may also help:

Black Cohosh Nerve Eight Kava Kava Lobelia Herbal Sleep Valerian Stress Relief Passion Flower Ginkgo Kudzu/St. John's Wort

Magnesium can also be very effective in relieving muscle tension and cramping. Taking Kudzu/St. John's wort and Magnesium on a regular basis may be effective in preventing further tension headaches. Natural headache relief is always a healthier choice than taking over the counter drugs which can have detrimental side effects to the body.

Vasodilative Headaches

This type of headache is the opposite of the tension headache. Headache results when there is too much blood flow to the head. This is the type of headache most people refer to as a migraine headache.

Symptoms: The rush of blood flow makes the head feel full and congested, like the head is exploding towards the outsides of your head. It's usually a throbbing, pounding type of pain and many people experience a sensitivity to light, sound and touch. The ears and the eyes are usually red.

Treatment: This kind of headache will also respond to massage if you can tolerate the touching. A cold compress should also help. Herbal remedies that will move the blood flow away from the head, and back into the digestive organs should provide some relief as well. But preventing them from happening is the best treatment of all.

This kind of headache is usually a sign that your liver is overwhemed with toxins. Taking liver cleansing herbs like Feverfew, Milk Thistle Combo or Digestive Bitters can lessen the severity of migraine headaches and overtime eliminate them all together. But they must be taken on a regular basis and they won't be effective if you are already into a migraine headache.

Food allergies are frequently responsible for trigerring migraines. It might help to journal your food intake so you can see which foods might be triggering your migraines.

Sinus Headaches

Chronic sinus headaches are not your typical type of headache that most people experience. They are caused when your sinus cavities back up and get congested. This back up causes pain, pressure and inflammation of the sinus passages.

Treatment: In order to get relief from the pain and pressure is to get the sinuses draining. Massaging the sides of the neck and shoulders will increase lymphatic drainage and help drain the sinuses. Herbal remedies like ALJ and Fenugreek & Thyme, (taken internally) are good decongestants to help break up the mucus and encourage drainage.

Doing a steam treatment is another way to help clear the sinus congestion. Just boil some water and add a few drops of eucalyptus oil, lavender oil, or tei fu oil. Then breathe deeply to inhale the vapors. To intensify the vapors, take a towel or something and drape it over your head and the bowl creating a little tent.

I hope these healthy choice tips have been helpful in learning more about natural ways you can manage your headaches. If you wish to purchase any of the herbs referenced or learn more about the herbal remedies listed above you can find more information at my website.

Barb Hughesian, creator of HealthyChoices4Life, offers useful suggestions to help you develop a healthier lifestyle, one step at a time. To find more tips on inflammation, better nutrition, toxin reduction, managing stress and more, visit