WELLNESS SOLUTIONS

Head and Eye Pain

Head and eye pain causes

Doctors have identified stress as the number one cause of tension headaches. Unfortunately, our increasingly busy, modern lifestyles, with little or no downtime, mean more people are experiencing the pain of tension headaches regularly.

 
Other causes can include:
 
  • Anxiety
  • Long periods in front of a computer screen (eye strain)
  • Driving for long distances
  • Cold temperatures
  • Alcohol
  • Caffeine
  • Individual trigger foods
  • Dry eyes

What is head and eye pain?

That familiar dull ache. The sensation of tightening around your head and the pulse of pain behind your eyes.
 
If you suffer from regular tension headaches, you know exactly how debilitating they can be.
 
And unfortunately, they are not a rare occurrence. Many people have tension headaches once or twice a month, and for some sufferers the condition is chronic, occurring more than 15 times a month.

Selfcare solutions for head and eye pain

Over-the-counter drugs available in the pharmacy or supermarket can be effective in reducing the pain of a tension headache. However, repeated use can actually lead to another type of headache – overuse headache
 
Fortunately, there are many drug-free alternatives to managing head and eye pain, allowing you to self-manage without pharmaceutical assistance.
 
Prevention Tips:
 
  • Daily exercise
The therapeutic benefits of daily exercise are well documented. While overexertion can actually lead to migraines or tension headaches, gentle exercise as recommended by your physician can work wonders for stress levels and overall health and wellbeing.
  • Meditation and mindfulness
Yoga, tai chi, and meditation are examples of mindfulness practices proven to be effective for reducing stress as well as the frequency and intensity of migraines and tension headaches.
  • Heat or ice packs
Applied after a long day to sore muscles and before the pain spreads, heat or ice packs relax problem areas and prevent pain flow-on effects.
  • Improve your posture
Poor posture can wreak havoc on your overall health. Pay attention to how you hold your body in all situations, aiming to stand and sit in a way that places the least strain on your back and neck.
  • Massage
For centuries the art of massage has been used to relax the body and mind, releasing tension and improving blood flow throughout the body. Effective as a prevention and a cure for tension headaches and migraines, massage is also a wonderful time out from the stresses of modern life.

What are the symptoms and severity of head and eye pain

  • Dull headache
  • Tightness around the forehead, or back and sides of the head. Often described as a band of pressure
  • Scalp and forehead sensitivity
  • Pain can travel to the neck and shoulders
  • Pain behind the eyes