Headache/Migraine Icing, Heating & Product Information Sheet
The application of both ice and heat can be very helpful for relief of headaches and migraines. Here are some general tips to follow:
Icing is best for vascular headaches and migraines when you are experiencing acute pain. Applying a cold compress or ice pack to the head or neck has a numbing effect, that may help to dull the pain. Applying a frozen neck wrap at the outset of a migraine can significantly reduce pain. Apply cold therapy for 15-20 minutes either over the area of pain or the base of your neck. Always place the cold pack or wrapped in a cloth or towel to protect the skin. Lying down with the head flat, eyes closed, in a quiet and darkened room is best for headaches and especially migraines.
Heating is best when pain feels mild and muscular in nature, typically referred to as tension headaches. Apply a warm moist towel or heat wrap snugly around the neck or posterior part of the head to relax tense muscles. Apply heat therapy for 20 minutes and repeat every few hours until tension is reduced or gone. Wrap the heat pack of choice in a cloth or towel for protection of the skin if needed.
Various cooling and heating tools can be found in stores and online. General cold and ice packs are fine but try to use gel based packs. These are best as they will retain the cold for longer. Heating tools may be referred to as heat packs, heat wraps, or a bed buddy. These tools are typically filled with gels or beads either scented or unscented that can be warmed in the microwave and then applied to the area of pain. The therapy in this case is referred to as moist heat. Moist heat is best as it penetrates to the deeper muscles for a more productive healing outcome. Avoid electrical heating pads if possible as they employ dry heat. Dry heat may feel good but essentially only reaches the top surface and does not penetrate to the deeper muscles which will reduce the therapeutic benefit.
Our favorite products come from the Elasto-Gel line from Southwest Technologies Inc. These products are well made and can be both cooled in the freezer and heated in the microwave, making them a good value because they can be used for either cold or heat therapy. Their full product line is available on their website below and select products can be found on Amazon.com.
Icing is best for vascular headaches and migraines when you are experiencing acute pain. Applying a cold compress or ice pack to the head or neck has a numbing effect, that may help to dull the pain. Applying a frozen neck wrap at the outset of a migraine can significantly reduce pain. Apply cold therapy for 15-20 minutes either over the area of pain or the base of your neck. Always place the cold pack or wrapped in a cloth or towel to protect the skin. Lying down with the head flat, eyes closed, in a quiet and darkened room is best for headaches and especially migraines.
Heating is best when pain feels mild and muscular in nature, typically referred to as tension headaches. Apply a warm moist towel or heat wrap snugly around the neck or posterior part of the head to relax tense muscles. Apply heat therapy for 20 minutes and repeat every few hours until tension is reduced or gone. Wrap the heat pack of choice in a cloth or towel for protection of the skin if needed.
Various cooling and heating tools can be found in stores and online. General cold and ice packs are fine but try to use gel based packs. These are best as they will retain the cold for longer. Heating tools may be referred to as heat packs, heat wraps, or a bed buddy. These tools are typically filled with gels or beads either scented or unscented that can be warmed in the microwave and then applied to the area of pain. The therapy in this case is referred to as moist heat. Moist heat is best as it penetrates to the deeper muscles for a more productive healing outcome. Avoid electrical heating pads if possible as they employ dry heat. Dry heat may feel good but essentially only reaches the top surface and does not penetrate to the deeper muscles which will reduce the therapeutic benefit.
Our favorite products come from the Elasto-Gel line from Southwest Technologies Inc. These products are well made and can be both cooled in the freezer and heated in the microwave, making them a good value because they can be used for either cold or heat therapy. Their full product line is available on their website below and select products can be found on Amazon.com.
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