If you suffer from chronic headaches of any type, it is really important to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. In the meantime, however, you will still want to do all you can to manage the pain. Here are some natural strategies you can turn to in order to keep headache pain under closer control.

Pressure Point Therapy

Some call this pressure point therapy, and others call it acupressure. Regardless of the name, it is a good strategy to alleviate headache pain. There are two effective pressure points to use:

1. The Hegu Point

This point is simply located between your thumb and forefinger in the flap of skin that you can easily grasp with your other hand. If you do grasp this point with the thumb and forefinger of the opposite hand — and hold that until the count of 10 — you should feel your headache pain diminish. You can repeat the pressure application whenever the pain builds up again.

2. The Shoulder Well

The other place to apply pressure for headache relief is in the front of your shoulder where it ties into your upper arm. You should feel a divot here; you want to press into the divot firmly. Hold for at least 10 seconds, and up to 20, until you feel your headache pain lessen.

Aromatherapy

Some scents have the ability to relieve stress and tension, which can help reduce headache pain. Good scents to try include vanilla, lavender, and chamomile. Look for a diffuser that spreads out one of these scents, and set it up in the room where you spend the most time. Not only will the scents help ease current headaches, but they may also prevent future headaches from developing by keeping you calm and less stressed.

Magnesium Supplements

Magnesium is a mineral that your body needs for proper nerve and muscle function. Deficiencies of magnesium are quite common, and they can cause or worsen headache symptoms. Taking a magnesium supplement on a daily basis can help reduce the pain of headaches. If you are not comfortable taking supplements, then you can instead focus on eating foods that are rich in this nutrient, such as spinach, nuts and seeds, whole grains, and shellfish. 

With the remedies above, you should be able to bring your headache pain under better control. Remember, though, it is always important to work with a migraine pain specialist when diagnosing and treating chronic headaches.