Headaches
and Chiropractic
Headaches
are so common today that we often just think popping a pill is the
easiest solution. Some can be rare and occasional, others are
frequent and throbbing, and some can even cause exhausting pain and
constant nausea. If you have headaches, you are not alone, as nine
out of ten Americans suffer from them.
How
do you act when experience a pounding headache? Are you lying down on
your sofa, curled up? Do you take a Tylenol and hope that pain will
go away? Grit your teeth and try to focus on your daily routine?
Luckily for you, there is a better alternative that addresses the
cause of these pesky headaches—spinal manipulation.
This
effective treatment for tension headaches which originate in the neck
is provided by chiropractic doctors. Research conducted in 2011 at
Duke University Evidence-Based Practice Center in Durham, NC, proved
that spinal manipulation immediately improves these tension headaches
and contributes to longer lasting relief of tension-type headaches
than any common prescribed medication leaving you without the
annoying side effects.
A
1995 study from the Journal of Manipulation and Physiological
Therapeutics showed that patients who took a 4-week spinal
manipulation therapy experienced a steady therapeutic effect in
contrast to the patients who took over the counter headache
medication.
Headaches
Triggers
There
are various headache causes, or “triggers”, that may include
environmental stimuli (stress, noises and lights), behaviors (such as
blood sugar changes, insufficient or excessive physical activity, or
sleep disorders) and food.
95%
of all headaches have no long-term implications (tension, migraine,
and cluster headaches), while the other 5% may indicate serious
physical problems may exist in your body.
It
is not surprising that headaches are more frequent than they used to
be. The main reason is our lifestyle, namely, more sedentary
activities, as well as the increased number of hours we spend in one
fixed position. This, consequently, causes joint irritation and
muscle tension in your upper back and neck.
What
Can You Do?
There
are several simple things you can do to minimize or eliminate
headaches. The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) suggests the
following tips:
- Try to change your position every 30 to 60 minutes, if stuck at home, forced to spend time in a fixed position (sit at your desk, in front of your laptop, writing, reading, sewing and etc.) a little 5-minute break will help your head and neck stretch through a range of motion.
- If you experience headache, you may want to moderately exercise. Walking in the fresh air or low-impact aerobics are the best options. However, remember that heavy exercises may increase already dull and throbbing headaches.
- Drink at least 8 glasses of water daily to keep yourself hydrated. As dehydration can lead to headaches. At higher elevations or on days of air travel, you should drink twice as much as you usually take.
- Try not to clench your teeth. Your upper jaw shouldn’t touch your lower jaw, except for swallowing, as it can cause tension headaches as well.
What
Can a Chiropractor Do?
Your
chiropractor can perform one or more of the following adjustments, if
you experience headaches:
- Improve your spinal function by chiropractic adjustments and spinal manipulation and ease the stress on your system
- Help you adjust your diet by giving nutritional recommendations. Your new diet should be rich in B complex vitamins
- Work on your posture, advise you on exercises (its intensity and frequency), teach you several relaxation techniques and etc. The right physical activity will relieve the joint irritation and any muscle tension in your upper back and neck.
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