Tension headache relief
 

To anyone who experiences a lot of tension in the base of their skull and neck, these exercises have given me so much relief. They might not work for everyone but thought I would share.

Step 1: Lay on your back with a thin pillow under you head and your shoulders.
Step 2: Place two fingers on your temple of the side that you are treating.
Step 3: Place the other hand on the side of the head above the ear.
Step 4: Without moving your head, look with your eyes only as hard as you can as if you are trying to see your fingers on your temple. Hold for 3 seconds.
Step 5: Without moving your head, tip to the left against your other hand. Hold for 3 seconds

Repeat Step 4 and 5 for 3 repetitions each and then retest


Now, here is the last quick trick to try to alleviate those painful tension headaches. Feel on the back of your neck just below the base of the skull. You should feel a bump right in the center, that is C2. Trace down the center of your neck with your finger until your get to a second bigger bump. This will likely be C6 or C7. While laying down gently stroke downward from C2 to C7 with two fingers. Repeat this process for 2-3 minutes. This is working to decrease tension through a structure called the ligamentum nuchae that attaches to the base of the skull.



Hopefully you find some relief.

It can also help to squeeze the area between the thumb and index finger. That an acupuncture point for headache.