Headache = pain situated anywhere in the head or neck region; commonly occurs behind or above the eyes or ears, around the occipital, or in the back of the upper neck
Headaches can occur periodically and aperiodically with varying levels of discomfort and pain.
Depending on the cycles they occur in, what triggers them (if can be identified), and how you're affected, they’re going to be referred to as either migraine headaches, tension headaches, cluster headaches, rebound headaches, sinus headaches, cervicogenic (neck related) headaches, stomach headaches, and so forth.
Headaches are also commonly experienced during the detoxification process. In this case, they typically pass within hours or days after first occurring (and the person tends to have no prior history of significant headache problems).
A compromised and congested lymphatic system will, as time goes by, inevitably result in acidosis, toxification and alteration of body tissues (in the form of hyperactivity, hypoactivity, hypertrophy, atrophy, dehydration, tension, sclerosis, and misalignment). Chemical and protein (allergen) sensitivities can also develop as a result. For this reason, there are many different things that can cause a headache.
Headaches can occur from (but not limited to):
- air travel (EMF radiation)
- cerebral (brain) edema
- dehydration (acidosis)
- electromagnetic frequency fields
- fluorescent lamps
- frequent use of certain medications
- gastrointestinal problems (notably stomach and colon); usually results in frontal headaches
- hyperactive thyroid
- inhaling toxic fumes (from off-gassing material, perfumes, gasoline, etc.)
- lymphatic pressure in the head (interstitial lymphatic constipation)
- mucus congestion
- neurological spasms occurring from inadequate mineral utilization (notably of calcium, magnesium, and manganese) or neurotoxins
- neurotoxic substances (e.g. mercury, monosodium glutamate, aspartame, etc.)
- off-gassing material (paint, new furniture, particle board, etc.)
- silver amalgam fillings
- sinus pressure (mucus and lymphatic congestion; also influenced by intestinal health); results in frontal headaches
- skeletal misalignment
- starring at screens for too long
Check List
If you experience reccurring headaches, take the time out to go through the following questions:
- Is there a common denominator between each bout of headache (headache occurring during or X number of hours after a specific activity or event; spending time in a specific location or room; eating a certain food(s); inhaling or working with or around specific chemicals, smoke, or fumes, etc.)?
- Does your diet consist predominantly of water-rich fruits and vegetables or dry, dehydrated and/or cooked food (percentage-wise e.g. ≥80% cooked/dehydrated food vs. ≤20% fresh and water-rich food)?
- Do you have any present or prior history with silver amalgam (mercury) fillings?
- Are you taking any chemical medications? (Check the listed side-effects and adverse reactions associated with the drug)
- Do you experience stiff neck/tight shoulders/spinal misalignment problems?
- Are you having at least 2-3 bowel solid bowel movements per day?
Should the answer to any of the first 5 questions be “yes,” then that's where you should put your focus first.
Regardless of the trigger, the best long-term course of action is to address the cause of your susceptibility, starting with a change of diet and personal care products.
Key areas to work on include the:
- lymphatic system
- gastrointestinal tract (colon in particular)
- endocrine glands
- kidneys
- head (draining mucus congestion; see related question, "Draining the Head: How can I do this faster?" under Detoxification FAQ)
In many cases, headaches – even severe ones – can be relieved within hours or days. But even after finding relief, be advised that only the symptom (effect) may've been dealt with but the underlying problem (cause) remains to be addressed so you can prevent future headaches from happening.
Alleviating Headaches
As you begin to phase out any potential triggers and address the problem at its root, there are various steps you can take to relieve symptoms.
Breathwork
One of the simplest practices to try is controlled, proper breathing. It's a wonderful, free, easy, and very important practice to make part of your life.
Although there are many different breathing techniques and breathing exercises, the crucial thing to know is that deep breathing or yawning – to the point of expanding your lungs to full capacity – not only induces full oxygen exchange (greater influx of oxygen and outflow of carbon dioxide) but also compresses the largest lymphatic vessel located in the chest of the body (i.e. "trunk of the tree"), known as the thoracic duct.
This relieves the pressure off of the lymphatic system’s one-way check valves (the valves prevent lymph fluid from flowing backwards), producing a vacuum effect within the lymphatic system that propels lymph fluid forward.
It also forces stagnant lymph fluid (from shallow breathing) in the thoracic duct to be propelled. This is ultimately why breathwork is so beneficial and why proper breathing is equally, if not more important than physical movement, if your intention is to activate your lymphatic system.
Deep breathing, to the degree that you can tolerate it, should be part of any health regimen or approach to healing.
Simple Breathing Technique
- Inhale through your nose for one count (tongue against the roof of your mouth)
- Hold for four counts
- Exhale through your teeth (creating a “SHH” sound) for two counts
A preferable ratio is one inhale count to two exhale counts. For example: if you take four counts to breathe in, hold four counts and exhale eight counts. The longer period of time it takes you to breathe in and out, the better.
Try using the above breathing technique for at least 1 week. You can do it in one of the following ways:
- Do 5 minutes of continuous deep breathing as instructed in the morning and at night.
- Do 10 repetitions of deep breathing as outlined above, 3 times a day.
Neurolymphatic Reflex Massage
An effective massage technique, which Dr. Morse explains and demonstrates in the following video:
Enemas and Colonics
Many have found that one or several sessions of colon irrigation has relieved them – sometimes entirely – of pain and symptoms. This would indicate large intestinal distress to be the problem, and continued gastrointestinal work should be done using diet and herbs to clean and restore healthy, non-obstructed bowel tissues and bowel function.
You may read the ‘Bowel Care; Enemas; Colon Hydrotherapy’ PDF.
Ginger Root Herbal Infusion
Ginger root is a popular remedy for nausea, stomach aches, diarrhea, as a digestive aid and so on, but also as a specific remedy for headaches, notably migraine headaches.
Instead of a weak tea, try a potent ginger root infusion; up to several cups (4 at most) each day.
What you’ll need
- Pint (16 oz.) sealable mason/preserving jar (preferably made of glass)
- ½-1 ounce of cut & sifted Ginger Root (always start on the low side, if new to using ginger)
- Something to bring 16 oz. of water to a boil (pot, electric water boiler, etc.)
Instructions:
- Pour plant material into pint jar
- Fill the entire jar up with boiling water (make sure all the plant material is submerged)
- Give the plant material a good stir
- Cap and seal the jar and allow the plant material to infuse/steep for 1 hour
Once ready, the infusion may be consumed within 36 hours.
Start with 16 oz. (2 cups) per day, and move up to 32 oz. (4 cups). Increase quantity of ginger root used as tolerated (1 ounce max).
Lavender and Peppermint Tea & Aromatherapy
Lavender and peppermint have also been taken or applied together for relief of headaches (most successfully with tension headaches).
Tea
You’ll need (per 1 cup):
- 8 oz. of boiling water
- Fresh (1 teaspoon) or dried (1/2 teaspoon) lavender flowers
- Fresh (1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons) or dried (2 teaspoons)
Directions:
- Combine the lavender and peppermint in a preserving/canning jar or teapot
- Pour boiling water over the plant material and allow to steep for ~5 minutes
- Serve and enjoy
Aromatherapy
Tension headaches and sinus headaches can be relieved by inhaling the aroma of lavender and peppermint essential oils.
Simply add 2-3 drops of each into a cotton ball, and gently inhale for several minutes at a time.