A Warm or Cold Compress for Headaches
Whether you suffer from occasional or chronic headaches, you have probably tried different techniques to relieve the pain. Many people use a warm or cold compress, either alone or with other treatments. Unfortunately, this time-honored practice has not been well studied. In the absence of conclusive research, most healthcare providers suggest selecting between a warm or cold compress based on what works best for you.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
No Hard, Fast Rules
There are no evidence-based guidelines to aid your choice of whether to use a cold or warm compress for a headache. However, the type or cause of your headache can aid your choice of which temperature compress to try initially. If your first choice isn't helpful, there is no harm in trying a compress of the opposite temperature. Since there are many types and causes of headaches, the temperature of the compress that provides the most relief for you might change from one headache to the next.
- There are no evidence-based guidelines to aid your choice of whether to use a cold or warm compress for a headache.
- Since there are many types and causes of headaches, the temperature of the compress that provides the most relief for you might change from one headache to the next.
Tension-Type Headaches
Heat and Headaches
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Tension-type headache is the most common headache disorder, affecting 30 to 78 percent of people over the course of their lifetime, according to the International Headache Society 14. Although the specific mechanisms that provoke tension-type headaches remain poorly understood, nervous system input from the muscles of the head, neck and upper back appears to play a role. Many people with a tension-type headache report simultaneous discomfort in some or all of these muscles 14. Heat can relax and soothe these muscles, potentially providing some relief from a tension-type headache 14. You might try a warm compress on the head or a heated neck wrap, although there is no conclusive research proving this is beneficial.
Migraine Headaches
Migraines are the second most common type of headache disorder. Approximately 18 percent of people experience migraines in their lifetime, reports the International Association for the Study of Pain 2. The biological mechanisms that lead to migraines remain incompletely understood, although current research points to altered function of the brain that makes it overly excitable. Migraine pain is typically throbbing in nature and limited research suggests that cold therapy might be helpful. A small study published in December 2006 in "Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine" found that application of a cold gel pack during a migraine reduced the pain severity in 50 percent of the study participants 7. In a separate study published in July 2013 in the "Hawaii Journal of Medicine and Public Health," application of a cold neck wrap during a migraine led to reduced pain in 77 percent of participants who used the treatment 8.
Other Headaches
My Headaches Are Worse in the Summer
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Headache is a common symptom that occurs with a wide variety of illnesses. In these situations, complete headache relief often depends on recovery from the underlying ailment. However, a warm or cool compress might provide some pain relief in the interim. If you have a headache and a fever due to the flu, for example, a cool compress may be more soothing than a warm one. However, a headache due to sinusitis may respond better to alternating warm and cool compresses, advises the American Academy of Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery 9. Depending on your situation, you might need to experiment with warm and cool compresses to see which one provides the most pain relief.
- Headache is a common symptom that occurs with a wide variety of illnesses.
- If you have a headache and a fever due to the flu, for example, a cool compress may be more soothing than a warm one.
Warnings and Precautions
See your doctor if you have frequent, persistent or worsening headaches to determine the cause and best course of treatment. Most headaches do not represent a medical emergency, but there are some exceptions. Seek immediate medical care if you have a headache with any of these characteristics or accompanying danger signs: -- sudden headache that rapidly escalates to severe pain -- neck stiffness and fever -- eye pain or vision problems you've not experience with previous migraines -- unsteadiness, loss of balance or slurred speech -- excessive drowsiness, confusion or mental slowness -- weakness or paralysis affecting a specific area of the body
Reviewed and revised by: Tina M. St. John, M.D.
Related Articles
References
- International Headache Society: Tension-Type Headache
- International Association for the Study of Pain: Epidemiology of Headache
- Current Therapy in Pain; Howard S. Smith, M.D.
- American Family Physician: Tension-Type Headache
- Journal of the Japanese Physical Therapy Association: Effectiveness of Physical Therapy in Patients with Tension-type Headache: Literature Review
- The Journal of Neuroscience: Migraine: Multiple Processes, Complex Pathophysiology
- Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Cold Therapy in Migraine Patients: Open-label, Non-controlled, Pilot Study
- Hawaii Journal of Medicine and Public Health: Randomized Controlled Trial: Targeted Neck Cooling in the Treatment of the Migraine Patient
- American Academy of Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery: Sinus Headaches
- Family Practice Notebook: Headache Red Flag
- Lee VME, Ang LL, Soon DTL, Ong JJY, Loh VWK. The adult patient with headache. Singapore Med J. 2018;59(8):399-406. https://doi.org/10.11622/smedj.2018094
- Ertsey C, Magyar M, Gyüre T, Balogh E, Bozsik G. [Tension type headache and its treatment possibilities]. Ideggyogy Sz. 2019;72(1-2):13-21. https://doi.org/10.18071/isz.72.0013
- Ahmed F. Headache disorders: differentiating and managing the common subtypes. Br J Pain. 2012;6(3):124-32. https://doi.org/10.1177/2049463712459691
- Goadsby PJ, Holland PR, Martins-oliveira M, Hoffmann J, Schankin C, Akerman S. Pathophysiology of Migraine: A Disorder of Sensory Processing. Physiol Rev. 2017;97(2):553-622. https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.00034.2015
- Peres MFP, Mercante JPP, Tobo PR, Kamei H, Bigal ME. Anxiety and depression symptoms and migraine: a symptom-based approach research. J Headache Pain. 2017;18(1):37. https://doi.org/10.1186/s10194-017-0742-1
- Kim DY, Lee MJ, Choi HA, Choi H, Chung CS. Clinical patterns of primary stabbing headache: a single clinic-based prospective study. J Headache Pain. 2017;18(1):44. https://doi.org/10.1186/s10194-017-0749-7
- Tofangchiha S, Rabiee B, Mehrabi F. A Study of Exertional Headache's Prevalence and Characteristics Among Conscripts. Asian J Sports Med. 2016;7(3):e30720. https://doi.org/10.5812/asjsm.30720
- Cordenier A, De hertogh W, De keyser J, Versijpt J. Headache associated with cough: a review. J Headache Pain. 2013;14:42. https://doi.org/10.1186/1129-2377-14-42
- Schwedt TJ. Thunderclap Headache. Continuum (Minneap Minn). 2015;21(4 Headache):1058-71. https://doi.org/10.1212/CON.0000000000000201
- Chowdhury D. Tension type headache. Ann Indian Acad Neurol. 2012;15(Suppl 1):S83-8. https://doi.org/10.4103/0972-2327.100023
- Rutberg S, Öhrling K. Migraine--more than a headache: women's experiences of living with migraine. Disabil Rehabil. 2012;34(4):329-36. https://doi.org/10.3109/09638288.2011.607211
- Hoffmann J, Recober A. Migraine and triggers: post hoc ergo propter hoc?. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2013;17(10):370. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-013-0370-7
- Peterfy RJ, Khazaeni B. Temporal (Giant Cell) Arteritis. [Updated 2018 Nov 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019 Jan-.
- Kim BK, Cho SJ, Kim BS, et al. Comprehensive Application of the International Classification of Headache Disorders Third Edition, Beta Version. J Korean Med Sci. 2016;31(1):106-13. https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2016.31.1.106
- Cameron C, Kelly S, Hsieh SC, et al. Triptans in the Acute Treatment of Migraine: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. Headache. 2015;55 Suppl 4:221-35. https://doi.org/10.1111/head.12601
- Lee VME, Ang LL, Soon DTL, Ong JJY, Loh VWK. The adult patient with headache. Singapore Med J. 2018;59(8):399-406.
- Ertsey C, Magyar M, Gyüre T, Balogh E, Bozsik G. [Tension type headache and its treatment possibilities]. Ideggyogy Sz. 2019;72(1-2):13-21.
- Ahmed F. Headache disorders: differentiating and managing the common subtypes. Br J Pain. 2012;6(3):124-32.
- Goadsby PJ, Holland PR, Martins-oliveira M, Hoffmann J, Schankin C, Akerman S. Pathophysiology of Migraine: A Disorder of Sensory Processing. Physiol Rev. 2017;97(2):553-622.
- Peres MFP, Mercante JPP, Tobo PR, Kamei H, Bigal ME. Anxiety and depression symptoms and migraine: a symptom-based approach research. J Headache Pain. 2017;18(1):37.
- Kim DY, Lee MJ, Choi HA, Choi H, Chung CS. Clinical patterns of primary stabbing headache: a single clinic-based prospective study. J Headache Pain. 2017;18(1):44.
- Tofangchiha S, Rabiee B, Mehrabi F. A Study of Exertional Headache's Prevalence and Characteristics Among Conscripts. Asian J Sports Med. 2016;7(3):e30720.
- Cordenier A, De hertogh W, De keyser J, Versijpt J. Headache associated with cough: a review. J Headache Pain. 2013;14:42.
- Schwedt TJ. Thunderclap Headache. Continuum (Minneap Minn). 2015;21(4 Headache):1058-71.
- Manandhar K, Risal A, Steiner TJ, Holen A, Linde M. The prevalence of primary headache disorders in Nepal: a nationwide population-based study. J Headache Pain. 2015;16:95. PMID:26554602
- Chowdhury D. Tension type headache. Ann Indian Acad Neurol. 2012;15(Suppl 1):S83-8.
- Puledda F, Messina R, Goadsby PJ. An update on migraine: current understanding and future directions. J Neurol. 2017;264(9):2031-2039. PMID:28321564
- Rutberg S, Öhrling K. Migraine--more than a headache: women's experiences of living with migraine. Disabil Rehabil. 2012;34(4):329-36.
- Hoffmann J, Recober A. Migraine and triggers: post hoc ergo propter hoc?. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2013;17(10):370.
- Peterfy RJ, Khazaeni B. Temporal (Giant Cell) Arteritis. [Updated 2018 Nov 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019 Jan-.
- Kim BK, Cho SJ, Kim BS, et al. Comprehensive Application of the International Classification of Headache Disorders Third Edition, Beta Version. J Korean Med Sci. 2016;31(1):106-13.
- Cameron C, Kelly S, Hsieh SC, et al. Triptans in the Acute Treatment of Migraine: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. Headache. 2015;55 Suppl 4:221-35.
- Headache Disorders. World Health Organization, April 2016.
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Writer Bio
I hold a Master's degree in exercise physiology/health promotion. I am a certified fitness specialist through the American College of Spots Medicine and an IYT certified yoga teacher. I have over 25 years experience teaching classes to both general public and those with chronic illness. The above allows me to write directly to the reader based on personal experiences.