Headaches are a fairly common condition, affecting about half of the world's population at some point during the year.
You can, of course, take any prescribed medications, but there are also some natural remedies you can try.
These include staying hydrated, taking magnesium, and avoiding histamine-rich foods. If you feel a headache coming on, you can try an ice pack, but how helpful is it?
When you have a headache, your first instinct may be to reach for the Tylenol in the medication cabinet. A trip to the freezer, on the other hand, might be a better bet.
Cold therapy has been used to treat migraines for more than 150 years, according to a 2013 study published in the Hawai'i Journal of Medicine & Public Health.
It is considered the most effective way of self-care for migraines without an aura and the second most effective for migraines with an aura.
According to Healthline, ice causes blood vessels to contract, interrupting pain signals to the brain. Your brain interprets cold as pain.
The ideal way to use an ice pack to cure a headache or migraine is to put it to the base of your skull for 15 to 20 minutes before removing it for an hour.
If you want to prevent your skin from becoming damaged, you should take the ice pack off as soon as the numbness sets in.