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VITAL STREAM NATUROPATHY
VITAL STREAM NATUROPATHY TM
Steven Koda, ND
Steven Koda, ND
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| NATUROPATHY AT HOME |
| Teaching Wellbeing - One Person at a Time |
HYDROTHERAPY FOR HEADACHES
WHAT CAUSES HEADACHES?
Almost all of us have had a headache at one point in our lives. In fact 5-10% of the US population seeks medical help for
their headaches. Most headaches are caused by either muscle tension or temporary changes in blood circulation in the
brain. Common triggers for the muscle tension that can lead to these headaches are stress, joint misalignment in the
neck or jaw, emotional factors, and poor posture. Triggers for headaches caused by changes in blood flow are often food
allergies, poor blood sugar regulation, fatigue, hormonal changes, alcohol, chemicals, and toxins.
Naturopaths often use the application of hot and cold water to change blood flow and release muscle tension. The
following can help to relieve headaches whether they are of muscular or vascular origin.
Materials Needed
Migraine Headache
Fill one basin with ice water and the other with hot tap water (no greater than 114 degrees F). Soak one towel in the ice
water. Wring out the towel from the ice water and place on the back of the neck while soaking the feet in the basin of hot
tap water. Leave for 20 minutes. If this does not bring relief then soak one towel in the hot water. Place the hot wrung
towel on the back of the neck and soak the feet in the basin of iced water for 20 minutes.
Tension Headache
Fill one basin with ice water and one basin with hot tap water (no greater than 114 degrees F). Soak one towel in each
basin. Wring out hot towel and place on the back of the neck for 3 minutes. Remove this towel and replace it with the
iced towel for 30 seconds. Repeat the hot and cold applications three times each.
Sinus Headache
Use the same process as for tension headache but place the wrung towels over the sinuses rather than on the back of
the neck.
WHAT CAUSES HEADACHES?
Almost all of us have had a headache at one point in our lives. In fact 5-10% of the US population seeks medical help for
their headaches. Most headaches are caused by either muscle tension or temporary changes in blood circulation in the
brain. Common triggers for the muscle tension that can lead to these headaches are stress, joint misalignment in the
neck or jaw, emotional factors, and poor posture. Triggers for headaches caused by changes in blood flow are often food
allergies, poor blood sugar regulation, fatigue, hormonal changes, alcohol, chemicals, and toxins.
Naturopaths often use the application of hot and cold water to change blood flow and release muscle tension. The
following can help to relieve headaches whether they are of muscular or vascular origin.
Materials Needed
- 2 small towels
- 2 basins or large bowls
- 1 ice pack or tray of ice cubes
- water
Migraine Headache
Fill one basin with ice water and the other with hot tap water (no greater than 114 degrees F). Soak one towel in the ice
water. Wring out the towel from the ice water and place on the back of the neck while soaking the feet in the basin of hot
tap water. Leave for 20 minutes. If this does not bring relief then soak one towel in the hot water. Place the hot wrung
towel on the back of the neck and soak the feet in the basin of iced water for 20 minutes.
Tension Headache
Fill one basin with ice water and one basin with hot tap water (no greater than 114 degrees F). Soak one towel in each
basin. Wring out hot towel and place on the back of the neck for 3 minutes. Remove this towel and replace it with the
iced towel for 30 seconds. Repeat the hot and cold applications three times each.
Sinus Headache
Use the same process as for tension headache but place the wrung towels over the sinuses rather than on the back of
the neck.