Headache That Won’t Quit? The Simple Solution You Need to Know

If you’ve ever felt as if your head were caught in a vise—or that no pill, massage, or amount of rest could ease the pain—you’re not alone.

Headaches are one of the most common pain problems I’ve seen in my years of practice.

The reason so many treatments fail is simple: most people focus on the symptom, not the source.

Headaches don’t always begin in the head. In fact, they often start lower—in the neck, the jaw, or around the nerves that exit the skull. Once those pain nerves become irritated, they can keep firing long after the original cause has resolved.

The good news? You can often relieve these headaches naturally—without medications or side effects—once you understand what’s really happening.

Why Headaches Happen

There are many kinds of headaches—migraine, tension, sinus, and cluster—but one of the most common and overlooked types comes from the neck and the upper part of the skull.

Here’s what I’ve found in my practice:

🔹 Irritated Occipital Nerves
At the base of the skull are the greater and lesser occipital nerves. When the muscles or ligaments in your neck tighten, or when the small joints slip slightly out of place, these nerves become irritated. The result is pain that starts in the back of the head and can travel upward or forward.

🔹 Referred Temple Pain
Another nerve, called the auriculotemporal nerve, runs upward from just below your ear toward your temple. When this nerve is irritated—often by jaw tension or neck strain—it can cause pain at the temples or behind the eyes.

🔹 Muscle and Ligament Strain
Poor posture, stress, or sleeping with your head turned to one side can overstretch the ligaments that stabilize your neck. The muscles then tighten to protect them, which creates tension that can feel like a tight band around the head.

These are the most common types of headaches I see—and the good news is, they’re often easy to calm with simple, natural methods.

Simple Remedies That Really Work

Over the years, I’ve developed and tested simple ways my patients can relieve headache pain at home. Here are a few that work remarkably well:

1️⃣ The LI-4 Acupressure Point
You’ll find this point between your thumb and index finger, in the soft mound of muscle. Apply firm, gentle pressure in small circles for two to three minutes. This pressure helps block pain signals and calm the nervous system. Many of my patients are amazed by how quickly their headache begins to fade.

2️⃣ Calm the Nerves with QR Cream
In my practice, I discovered that a natural compound called mannitol—found in plants—can quiet overactive pain nerves by shutting down the signal they send to the brain.

That’s why I developed QR Cream, which allows you to apply mannitol directly to the skin over the irritated nerves.

Here’s where to apply it for headaches:

• The dimples above your eyebrows (where nerves exit the skull)

• The temples, just in front of your ears

• The back of the head, at the base of the skull

Avoid getting it near your eyes—the cream also contains menthol, which can sting if it spreads too close.

QR Cream calms the same nerve pathways targeted by prescription migraine drugs—but naturally, and without side effects.

3️⃣ Herbal Help
Plants have long been used to relieve headaches and muscle tension. Some of my favorites are ginger, lavender, chamomile, peppermint, basil, and lemon balm. You can make tea from any of these herbs.

Ginger, in particular, is wonderful—it relieves both headache and the nausea or stomach irritation that sometimes accompany it.

4️⃣ A Natural Remedy for Sinus Headaches
If your headache sits behind your cheeks or forehead, congestion may be the cause. Here’s a simple trick I share with my patients:

Boil a cup of water, stir in one level teaspoon of sugar, and inhale this sugar solution through your nose. The sugar temporarily quiets the nerves that make your sinuses produce mucus, opening the passages and relieving pressure naturally.

Preventing Headaches Before They Start

Prevention is just as important as treatment. Here are a few habits that can reduce both the frequency and intensity of headaches:

• Stay hydrated. Even mild dehydration can trigger headaches or migraines.

• Sleep well. Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, and avoid blue-light screens before bed so your body can produce melatonin.

• Avoid alcohol. It often causes headaches—even hours later.

• Limit caffeine. Daily coffee or energy drinks can create withdrawal headaches each morning.

• Keep blood sugar steady. Large spikes and drops from eating too many refined carbohydrates can trigger headaches.

• Exercise and relax. Gentle movement relieves stress, and deep breathing helps release muscle tension before it builds into pain.

When you feel tension creeping in, take a few minutes to breathe deeply—in through your nose, out through your mouth—and consciously relax your shoulders and neck.

When It’s Not the Neck

While many headaches I see come from irritated nerves in the neck or scalp, not all do. Migraines, for example, are caused by changes in blood vessel and nerve sensitivity. They can bring throbbing pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound.

Interestingly, QR Cream can still help relieve migraine pain. Mannitol works by shutting down the nerve receptor called TRPV1 (transient receptor potential vanilloid 1), which releases calcitonin gene-related peptide—the same pathway modern migraine drugs target—but it does so topically, without the risks or side effects.

Why This Matters

Too many people live with recurring headaches because they’ve been told there’s “nothing wrong.” But the problem often isn’t visible on a scan—it’s in the irritated nerves and muscles just under the surface.

Once you calm the nerves, support your ligaments, and develop healthy habits, you can take back control of your body—and your comfort.

You don’t have to live with a headache that won’t quit. Relief can be simple, safe, and within reach.

Let’s Recap

✅ Headaches can begin in the neck and upper nerves—not the head itself
✅ Acupressure, QR Cream, and herbal remedies calm pain naturally
✅ Sinus and tension headaches respond to simple home care
✅ Prevention habits—hydration, rest, and relaxation—make all the difference
✅ Natural approaches can bring lasting pain relief without medication

Want to Learn More Ways to Relieve Back Pain Naturally?

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For step-by-step guidance for low back pain relief, you can also check out my book: “Low Back Pain: 3 Steps to Relief in 2 Minutes.”

Wishing you calm, comfort, and true healing,
— Hélène Bertrand, MD (retired)

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Disclaimer: This content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment or making changes to your health regimen. Although Dr. Bertrand is a retired medical doctor, she is not practicing medicine or providing medical care through this website.