--- title: Natural Relief for Children Prone to Tension Headaches | NCHS Adoption Agency description: Headaches are unpleasant for anyone, but they can be particularly distressing for children. Read on how to naturally relieve a tension headache. image: https://blog.nchs.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/adobestock_237705734.jpeg --- [Donate](https://nchs.org/donate/) - - - - - [402.451.0787](tel:402.451.0787) [402.451.0787](tel:402.451.0787) - [130th Anniversary](https://nchs.org/130-years-nchs-celebration/) - [Calendar](https://nchs.org/events/) - [Careers](https://nchs.org/careers/) - [Get Involved](https://nchs.org/get-involved/) [Donate](https://nchs.org/donate/) [![Finalized-NCHS-Full-Color](https://blog.nchs.org/hubfs/Finalized-NCHS-Full-Color.svg)](https://nchs.org/) - [Family Support](https://nchs.org/family-support/) - Column 1 - [Pregnancy Services Offering resources, support, & guidance as you determine the best course of action for you & your family.](https://nchs.org/pregnancy-services/) - [Top Pregnancy Questions](https://nchs.org/pregnancy-services/top-questions/) - [Kinship Navigation Connecting kinship families to the support & community resources they need to thrive.](https://kinship.nchs.org/) - [Families Forever Providing support & strategies for deepening the bonds of families formed through adoption or guardianship.](https://nchs.org/families-forever/) - [Become a Families2Families Mentor](https://nchs.org/become-a-mentor-make-a-difference/) - [Full Circle Conference 2024](https://fullcircle.nchs.org/) - [Early Childhood Education Educating & developing children as they prepare for kindergarten and beyond.](https://nchs.org/early-childhood-education/) - Column 2 - [Parent & Caregiver Support:](https://nchs.org/parent-caregiver-support/) - [Healthy Families America Personalized advice & guidance for expectant or newborn parents.](https://nchs.org/healthy-families/) - [Self-Sufficiency Gain vital skills needed to become more self-sufficient.](https://nchs.org/self-sufficiency/) - [Teen & Young Parent Program Preparing teens & young parents for adulthood.](https://nchs.org/teen-young-parent-program/) - [Foster Care](https://nchs.org/foster-care/) - Column 1 - [Steps to Becoming a Foster Family Get information regarding the process of becoming a foster family.](https://nchs.org/foster-care/#becoming-foster-family) - [Mutual Selection Using a collaborative approach to work toward a brighter future.](https://nchs.org/foster-care/#mutual) - [Adoption](https://nchs.org/child-adoption/) - Column 1 - [Adopt Through NCHS Discover the steps you need to take to start your adoption journey with NCHS.](https://nchs.org/adopt-through-nchs/) - [Considering Adoption for Your Child Get assistance with figuring out the next steps for you & your family.](https://nchs.org/consider-adoption-for-your-child/) - [Post-Adoption Services Access resources & support available to you after an adoption is finalized.](https://nchs.org/post-adoption-services/) - Column 2 - [Adoption Search Discover more about your biological lineage.](https://nchs.org/post-adoption-services#adoption-search) - [Birth-Parent Support Group Peer support for birth parents that chose adoption.](https://nchs.org/post-adoption-services#birth-parent-support) - [Families Forever Providing support & strategies for deepening the bonds of families formed through adoption or guardianship.](https://nchs.org/families-forever/) - [Learn](https://nchs.org/learn/) - Column 1 - [Blog Catch up on the latest tips & information our team has to offer.](https://blog.nchs.org/) - [Resources Browse our extensive resource library to get the answers you need.](https://nchs.org/resources/) - [A Guide to Kinship Care](https://info.nchs.org/kinship-care-resources-services-help-you-care-unique-family) - [Support For Expectant And New Parents](https://info.nchs.org/pregnancy-services-support-for-expectant-and-new-parents) - [Support for Families Formed Through Adoption](https://info.nchs.org/families-forever-support-families-formed-adoption) - Column 2 - [Events Stay updated on the latest events & volunteer opportunities through NCHS.](https://nchs.org/events/) - [News & Press Read up on NCHS’s latest announcements & community news.](https://nchs.org/news-press-releases/) - [Celebrating 130 Years | NCHS Come celebrate with us as we look to a bright future and remember 130 years of caring for Nebraska’s children families.](https://nchs.org/130-years-nchs-celebration/) - [About](https://nchs.org/about/) - Column 1 - [Mission, Values & Strategic Plan Our core values are the driving factor behind everything we do.](https://nchs.org/mission-values-strategic-plan/) - [Leadership, Board, & Trustees](https://nchs.org/about#team) - [Partnerships & Donors](https://nchs.org/partners/) - [Strategic Plan](https://nchs.org/mission-values-strategic-plan#strategic) - [Contact](https://nchs.org/contact/) - [*Family Support* Caring For Your Grandchildren And Yourself Learn valuable strategies for caring for yourself and your grandchildren. Download Now](https://nchs.org/resource/raising-your-grandchildren-one-pager/) - [*Foster Care* FOSTER CARE PROGRAM Access the support, resources, guidance, and tools parents and babies need for… Download Now](https://nchs.org/resource/nchs-foster-care-program/) - [*Adoption* Strengthening Your Relationship As A Family Discover the support and resources available for families formed through adoption or… Download Now](https://nchs.org/resource/families-forever-one-pager/) - [*Learn* Annual Report Gain insight into the impact and work our team has achieved over… Download Now](https://nchs.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/NCHS-Annual-Report-2021-2022.pdf) - [*About* Strategic Plan NCHS believes in building a bright, healthy future for all children and… Download Now](https://nchs.org/resource/strategic-plan/) [Blog](https://blog.nchs.org) > [Tips & Advice](https://blog.nchs.org/tag/tips-advice) # Natural Relief For Children Prone To Tension Headaches September 9, 2020 | 2 min read Share: [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.nchs.org/natural-relief-for-children-prone-to-tension-headaches) [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.nchs.org/natural-relief-for-children-prone-to-tension-headaches) [Twitter icon](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://blog.nchs.org/natural-relief-for-children-prone-to-tension-headaches) [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://blog.nchs.org/natural-relief-for-children-prone-to-tension-headaches) ##### Guest Contributor: Amy Fletcher Roughly 20% of 5-17 year-olds in the US are prone to headaches. The National Headache Foundation estimates that 15% of these children are susceptible to tension headaches, while a further 5% experience migraines. No parent likes to see their child in pain, but regularly medicating a child who is prone to headaches is a concern too. However, if tension headaches are a frequent concern for your child or a child in your care, the good news is that there are some natural remedies that can help to ease their pain. **The power of massage** When a headache is caused by tension, whether that’s through tiredness, anxiety or over-excitement, the pain is felt in a tight band around the head. If your child’s headache worsens over the course of the day and their emotional state leads you to suspect a tension headache, a massage can help. Massage your child’s shoulders and neck, and check-in with them to see if this is offering any relief. Older children can also be encouraged to try relaxation techniques to complement this therapy and reduce tension. Deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation (where one muscle is tensed at a time and then the tension is completely relaxed) can be helpful. **Dietary helpers** A diet rich in magnesium can also help with tension headaches. This is because magnesium-rich foods promote good muscle health and relieve tension in the muscles. Foods high in magnesium include natural yogurt, bananas, spinach and fish. Vitamin B2, or riboflavin, can also help. Good sources include eggs, lean meats and fortified cereals. An overall healthy and balanced diet is a good way to help your child manage their headaches: unfortunately, while some foods can help with tension headaches, others can trigger them. If your child is prone to them, limiting their intake of cheese, chocolate and meats containing nitrates (e.g. salami, bacon and hot dogs) could be beneficial. Talk to your child about the changes you make to their diet, and help them to see how this could be helping them feel better. **Essential oils** Essential oils are extracted from plants and are easily absorbed and inhaled. They interact with the limbic system, which controls several physiological functions. For headaches, they can be applied topically or inhaled for the best results, but if they are to be used topically, dilute them first. Recommended oils for tension headaches are peppermint oil, lavender oil and chamomile oil. Lavender oil in particular is often used in the treatment of stress in aromatherapy; since stress can be a cause of tension headaches, this is a useful oil to use with your child for a two-pronged approach. Headaches are unpleasant for anyone, but they can be particularly distressing for children. Unfortunately, if it is tension headaches affecting your child, this distress could exacerbate the problem. If you’re concerned about the frequent use of medication, try tweaking your child’s diet, practice massage on them, and try essential oils to help alleviate symptoms and reduce stress. **Additional Resources: ** - **Learn about [essential oils and their healing properties](https://www.kumioils.com/blogs/news/5-best-essential-oils-for-headaches-and-migraines)** - Find out more about [headaches in children](https://headaches.org/resources/childrens-headache-disorders/) - Investigate the [causes, symptoms and treatments for tension headaches](http://pennstatehershey.adam.com/content.aspx?productid=107&pid=33&gid=000074) - Learn about [how diet can affect headaches](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9648-headaches-and-food) [![NCHS Team](https://blog.nchs.org/hubfs/NCHS-Team-Author-IMG.png)](https://blog.nchs.org/author/nchs-team) [NCHS Team](https://blog.nchs.org/author/nchs-team) The NCHS team is committed to helping children, parents, grandparents, and families create a safe and loving home. To the NCHS Team, children always come first. By providing support to families and parents, NCHS works to ensure children have access to the care, love, and development opportunities they need to be successful adults. ## Related Blogs August 29, 2024 ##### Am I Ready for a Baby? Deciding to welcome a new life into your world is one of the most significant decisions you'll ever... Read More + May 16, 2024 ##### How Lifebooks Help Children Understand Their Adoption Journey As an adoptive parent or guardianship parent, you may have come across the term "Lifebook" in your... Read More + May 9, 2024 ##### Your Go-To Guide for Financial Support When Pregnancy Surprises You When you find out you're pregnant, and it's the last thing you were expecting, it can throw you for... Read More + [![Finalized-NCHS-Full-Color-White-Text@3x](https://blog.nchs.org/hubfs/Finalized-NCHS-Full-Color-White-Text@3x.png)](https://nchs.org/) - - - - - ###### Get in Contact [888.315.7347](tel:8883157347) 4939 South 118th Street Omaha, NE 68137 [Contact Us](https://nchs.org/contact/) ###### Helpful Links - [Donate](https://nchs.org/donate/) - [Volunteer](https://nchs.org/donate/volunteer/) - [Careers](https://nchs.org/careers/) - [Stewardship](https://nchs.org/stewardship/) - [Terms and Conditions](https://nchs.org/terms-and-conditions/) - [Privacy Policy](https://nchs.org/privacy-policy/) - [Staff Login](https://nchs.workplace.com/work/landing/input/) - [Board Login](https://app.boardable.com/login) © 2026 Nebraska Children’s Home Society. Site by [Red Branch Media, Inc.](https://redbranchmedia.com/) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "NCHS Team", "url" : "https://blog.nchs.org/author/nchs-team" }, "dateModified" : "2022-01-28T17:42:08.660Z", "datePublished" : "2020-09-09T12:13:04.000Z", "headline" : "Natural Relief for Children Prone to Tension Headaches | NCHS Adoption Agency", "image" : [ "https://blog.nchs.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/adobestock_237705734.jpeg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.nchs.org/natural-relief-for-children-prone-to-tension-headaches", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject" }, "name" : "Nebraska Children's Home Society" } } ```