Tension headaches hit millions of people every day. They can cripple you at work and at home.

But how can you stop tension headaches? Or more importantly - prevent them ? News Specialist Kelley Day explored some of the alternative remedies and joins us now to explain:

) Many people swear by alternative remedies, some say they don't help at all. But there are several very common remedies that are safe to try--and if they work for you--then what can you lose, right?

Alternative remedies come in all shapes and sizes. And you can find a lot of ideas in new "alternative natural healing books." But what can do immediately, when a tension headache hits ?

DENNIS HARPER, D.O. ((THERE ARE LITERALLY 15 TO 20 THINGS YOU CAN DO RIGHT AWAY.. CHIROPRACHTOR, MASSAGE.))

You can also change your diet, try acupuncture, lower your stress, or catch up on your sleep.

But for a quicker fix, a lot of people are hitting the health food store searching for natural remedies.

Kirk Ellis/Wild Oats ((A LOT OF PEOPLE REALLY PREFER THEM BECAUSE OF A LACK OF SIDE EFFECTS, EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE NOT AS FAST ACTING AN EFFECTIVE AS SOME OF THE PHARMASUTICAL PRODUCTS.))

LOUISE RIGTRUPE/WILD OATS CUSTOMER ((YOU KNOW IT'S NOT LIKE TAKING 1000 MILIGRAMS OF ACEDAMINIPHAN, BUT IT'S MORE GENTLE, MORE SOOTHING TO THE BODY.))

That's what Louise Rigtrupe says about her natural remedy for tenstion headaches - Lavender oil.

((LAVENDER WORKS I'M GONNA USE IT IN BATH OIL, IT'S AROMATHERAPY, YOU JUST BREATH IT WITH THE WARM WATER - AWAY GOES THE HEADACHE.))

And other essential oils also help headaches, try peppermint, basil, and ylang yland. You can massage them into your temples or neck, or dab a tiny amount under your nose.

Dr. Harper also recomends something called "balm of gilead" - rub a little on the back of your neck to relieve a headache.

Herbal pills are also popular for tension headache relief. Here's a list:

TENSION HEADACHE RELEF
ANXIETY, NATURAL CARE
PHYTOGESIC
BROMELAIN
NATURAL PAIN EASE
MAGNESIUM - 800 mg. daily
WHITE WILLOW

Anxiety, simply relieves anxiety.
Phytogesic, helps relax and contract blood vessels in the head.
Bromelain - an anti-inflamatory... this acts like asprin.
Natural Pain Ease - helps relax tension and reduce inflamation.
Some say 800 miligrams of Magnesium a day helps..
And pure White Willow - which has the same active ingredient as asprin.

But with natural remedies, be prepared to do your homework.

((PEOPLE WHO WANT TO DO NATURAL REMEDIES HAVE TO TAKE IT UPON THEMSELVES TO DO THE EXPERIMENTATION AND FIND OUT WHAT WORKS FOR THEM WELL.))

And if you do find a good natural remedy, you may be hooked.