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Pain - Do You Know the Different Methods for Chronic Headache Pain Treatment?

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You are a chronic headache pain sufferer if you experience headache pain 25 or more days a month. This pain is far more debilitating than scientists previously thought, according to an Ohio University researcher who is leading a study of 245 chronic headache pain sufferers.

Results from the study found that 66 percent of participants have headaches nearly every day.
The research was presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Study of Headache in San Francisco.

More than 70 percent of the patients recorded their experiences as that of disrupted sleep, fatigue and headache-related anxiety or stress. Forty-four percent said their headaches affected their performance at work or school and 72 percent said the pain caused them to miss work or school an average of 3.5 days in the last six months. Do you experience the same type of pain?

You are not alone, chronic headache pain disrupts the lives of millions of people worldwide. Thankfully, there are ways to treat the debilitating discomfort of tension headaches, migraines, and cluster headaches. But, how do you know which kind of chronic headache pain treatment is right for you?

Chronic headache pain treatment includes medication or natural remedies. Your first step is to visit your doctor to find out what kind of headache you have, and if it is chronic, then, a chronic headache pain treatment will be suggested by your doctor. Also, consider getting a second opinion just to be on the correct side of the diagnosis.

To be medically considered for chronic headache pain treatment, a person must have acute pain on a regular basis that is not cured by over-the-counter drugs, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil).

Medication

Your doctor may prescribe medications, such as Imetrex or Maxalt, drugs typically used to treat chronic headache pain associated with migraines and cluster headaches. And, in very severe cases, strong narcotic painkillers, like Oxycodon and Vicodine, may be used as part of your chronic headache pain treatment plan. However, many doctors agree that a chronic headache pain treatment plan cannot consist of medication alone.

Seddon Savage, M.D., a pain specialist from Dartmouth Medical School in Hanover, New Hampshire says, "Treatment for chronic pain is about much more than medication. It can also involve stress relief and relaxation, physical therapy, improved sleep and nutrition habits, and exercise."

Alternative Methods

Take note of the fact that medication is not for everybody and may not be for you. If you would rather find a more natural way to treat your pain, there are many alternative methods of chronic headache pain treatment that have proven to result in very effective pain relief.

* Acupuncture. Traditional Chinese acupuncture therapy uses small needles that are inserted into specific points of the body. Many people swear by this chronic headache pain treatment

* Acupressure. If acupuncture needles frighten you, you may want to try acupressure. Instead of needles, acupressure relies on fingertips to stimulate channels of energy in the body.

* Fragrant Oils. Some oils have been proven to be great chronic headache pain treatments. Try using peppermint oil, chamomile, rosemary, or lavender to alleviate your pain. Keep in mind, a little oil goes a long way.

Since pain varies from person to person, Chronic Headache pain treatment is individualized. While medication may work perfectly for some, acupuncture or acupressure may work better for others. The point being you must find the magic treatment that works for you as an individual.

For more information about chronic headache pain treatment, check out the National Headache Foundation?s website. This site may lead you in the right direction in your quest to find a chronic headache pain treatment plan that works best for you.