If you get regular headaches, you know what a pain it can be. Pounding trauma right in your temples or forehead, or even radiating throughout your entire head, a bad headache can really derail your day. If you find that over-the-counter remedies don’t even touch the pain, it might be time to explore some headache relief alternatives. Here are three tips that might get you through your next headache or even prevent one in the first place.

Tip #1: Take a Bath

A detoxing bath can potentially increase circulation in your body, reduce muscle pains and aches, and ideally take your headache down a few notches. When you feel a tension headache coming on, draw a bath; add a couple of drops each of peppermint and lavender essential oils, and step in for a soothing soak.

Make sure the water is warm enough to be inviting, but not too hot. Relax for at least 20 minutes. The invigorating and cooling properties of peppermint-lavender as a combination will let your senses unwind to hopefully stop a killer headache from coming on. This ritual bathing method can also make you feel better if you already have a headache, because all the factors of the bath are working together to make you feel more relaxed, helping ease headache pain.

Tip #2: Get a Massage

Sometimes headaches are just brought on by the daily stress in your life. Regular massages that are geared toward relaxation may be able to set you on a path to a more headache-free life. Find someone who specializes in tension and stress reducing massages in your area. Set up regular appointments if you can.

Tip #3: Try Headache Relief Therapy

A regimen of headache relief therapy could be just the thing you need to reduce serious headache pain and suffering. This includes treatment by a therapist who focuses on headache relief with cold therapy, trigger-point targeting and aromatherapy geared toward reducing pain and releasing tension. With regular appointments you may be able to reduce the number of headaches you get per month.