Headaches – they're a universal pain in the butt. A dull throb or a sharp stab that can derail your entire day.
While there are many over-the-counter remedies, some people seek natural solutions that do not comprise their gut health.
Enter topical magnesium, a mineral gaining popularity for its potential headache-busting abilities. But does the science support the hype? Let's dive into the world of topical magnesium and explore its potential benefits for headaches.
Understanding Headaches
Headaches come in various forms, each with its own cause. Tension headaches, the most common culprit, are often caused by muscle tension in the neck and scalp. Migraines, on the other hand, are much more complex, involving neurological changes and inflammation.
How Can Magnesium Help?
Magnesium is a neuromuscular relaxant, meaning, it has a relaxation effect on the nervous system and on the muscular system. Some research studies suggest it might offer relief for certain types of headaches:
- Muscle Relaxation: Low magnesium levels can contribute to muscle tension, a potential trigger for tension headaches. Topical magnesium application might help ease muscle tension in the head and neck, leading to headache relief.
- Improved Blood Flow: Some studies suggest that magnesium may improve blood flow, which could potentially be beneficial for headaches caused by reduced blood flow.
- Anti-inflammatory Properties: Research suggests that magnesium has some anti-inflammatory properties. This could be helpful for headaches with an inflammatory component, such as migraines.
What Dr. Bec @ Salt + Earth Co says:
- Location Matters: Know the areas that are aggravating your headache. Apply your magnesium directly to the area of tightness and tensions, such as the temples, forehead, and back of the neck and shoulders.
- Individual Response: As with any product, the effectiveness of topical magnesium can vary from person to person.
- Not a 'normal' headache? There are headaches... and then there are headaches. If this is nor 'normal' for you or is a different type of headache, book an appointment with your Osteopath. We need to check that out.
- Get the root cause addressed: There is always a reason for your headache. Suffering from headaches is not 'normal'! Book an appointment with your Osteopath.
Topical Magnesium for Headaches:
Topical magnesium can be highly effective for headache relief. We recommend you
- Choose a High-Quality Product: Look for products containing magnesium chloride, known for its high bioavailability. Salt + Earth Co. offers a range of topical magnesium products you can explore, including their Magnesium Collection which is essential oil and fragrant free— important for those headache peeps.
- Patch Test First: As with any new topical product, it's important to do a patch test on a small area of your skin to check for any irritations. Some people get itchy with the application of magnesium to their skin. Either try the Magnesium Cream or wet your skin with water before you apply the Magnesium Spray.
- Consistency is Key: Regular application may be more effective than occasional use here and there. Gold standard is incorporating topical magnesium into your daily routine.
Dr. Bec's Holistic Approach with Topical Magnesium
Combining your magnesium routine with general self-care is going to give you optimal results.
- Time to deal with your Stress: Stress is a major trigger for headaches. Reflect on that cause of your stress and if that can be changed, helped, modified. Along with this, techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing can help manage stress and reduce headaches. These are particularly helpful when stress seems impossible to eliminate.
- Hydration: Dehydration can contribute to headaches. Ensure you're drinking plenty of water throughout the day. And coffee does not count as your water intake.... I see you!
- Get Sleep.... every day: Poor sleep can worsen headaches... and make you damn grumpy. Aim for a consistent sleep schedule with 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night. Work on waking up feeling rested.
Headache Relief: It's a work in progress
Headaches can be repetitively frustrating, we get it. Integrating a daily routine with topical magnesium, particularly the Magnesium Collection we have crafted here at Salt + Earth Co., along with a holistic approach, might be super helpful in getting some headache relief. Experiment. Find what works best for you, and find those headache free days!
✌️ Bec