How to get rid of a headache in 2 minutes
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Quick Relief for Headaches: Effective Methods
Headaches can be a significant disruption to daily life, and finding quick relief is often a priority. Here, we explore two methods that have been studied for their potential to alleviate headaches rapidly.
Brief Daily Exercise for Headache Relief
Resistance Training with Elastic Tubing
A study investigated the impact of brief daily exercise on headache frequency among office workers with neck and shoulder pain. Participants were divided into groups performing resistance training with elastic tubing for either 2 or 12 minutes per day, five times a week, over ten weeks. The results showed a significant reduction in headache frequency for both groups compared to a control group that received only health information. Specifically, the 2-minute exercise group experienced a 43% decrease in headache frequency, while the 12-minute group saw a 56% reduction1. Although this method requires a longer-term commitment, it highlights the potential benefits of incorporating short, consistent exercise routines into daily life for headache management.
Intranasal Lidocaine for Immediate Migraine Relief
Evaluation of Intranasal Lidocaine
Another study evaluated the effectiveness of intranasal lidocaine for immediate relief of migraine headaches. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involved patients who received either 1 mL of 4% lidocaine or a placebo intranasally. Pain levels were measured at intervals up to 30 minutes post-administration. The study found no significant difference in pain relief between the lidocaine and placebo groups at any time point, indicating that intranasal lidocaine did not provide rapid relief for migraine headaches in the emergency department setting2.
Conclusion
For those seeking quick headache relief, the evidence suggests that while intranasal lidocaine may not be effective, incorporating brief daily resistance training could reduce headache frequency over time. Although immediate relief in two minutes may not be feasible, consistent short exercises can be a practical approach to managing headaches in the long run.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Effect of brief daily exercise on headache among adults--secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.
Two minutes of daily resistance training for ten weeks reduces headache frequency among office workers with neck/shoulder pain.
RCTIntranasal lidocaine for the treatment of migraine headache: a randomized, controlled trial.
Intranasal lidocaine did not provide rapid relief for migraine headache pain in the emergency department setting.
RCTPain Management Using Acupuncture Method in Migraine Headache Patients; A Single Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial
Acupuncture may initially lower pain levels in migraine patients, but no significant difference was found between acupuncture and placebo acupuncture in decreasing mean pain scores.
RCT
Very Rigorous JournalChanges in Clinical Parameters in Patients with Tension-type Headache Following Massage Therapy: A Pilot Study
Massage therapy targeting myofascial trigger points can reduce headache frequency, intensity, and disability in patients with tension-type headaches.
RCTACUPRESSURE AS METHOD FOR REDUCING HEAD PAIN IN TENSION TYPE HEADACHE: CASE REPORT
Acupressure can be an alternative and complementary therapy to reduce the intensity and frequency of tension type headache attacks without using drugs.
Case ReportAcupuncture for the prevention of episodic migraine
Acupuncture may be a low-risk, effective alternative for episodic migraine prevention, with potential benefits similar to analgesia.
Highly CitedComplementary and integrative medicine in the management of headache
Traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, massage, yoga, biofeedback, and meditation may improve migraine and tension headaches, while not being studied or effective for cluster headaches.
Systematic ReviewVery Rigorous JournalHighly CitedA reanalysis of a randomized trial on meditation for migraine headaches: Distraction is not enough but meditation takes time.
Active meditation forms are more effective in reducing migraine headache pain and negative mood than distraction techniques, but consistent practice for 20 days is needed for optimal results.
RCTMigraine Headaches are Reduced by Massage Therapy
Massage therapy significantly reduces migraine headaches, resulting in fewer distress symptoms, less pain, more headache-free days, and improved sleep disturbances.
RCTHighly CitedMindfulness Meditation for Primary Headache Pain: A Meta-Analysis
Mindfulness meditation may reduce pain intensity and is a promising treatment option for primary headache patients.
Meta-AnalysisHighly Cited