As headaches are one of the most
common reasons for seeking the help of a doctor, it’s safe to assume that
everyone reading this has experienced the pain of a headache at one point or
another. There are many types of headaches that can happen either occasionally,
or on a more frequent basis – known as chronic headaches. The levels of
intensity can range from a dull ache to a debilitating pain throughout the
entire head. Whether they occur a few times per year, or a few times per week –
the focus is to stop it as soon as possible.
Today, our first thought is to grab
a medication - usually Aleve or Advil, to make it through the day. These
medications can give us temporary relief from the pain, but in the bigger
picture they only mask the pain until the medication wears off. Think about how often we take these
medications when a headache comes on. They numb the nervous system to stop the
pain, which is convenient, but they also have adverse effects on the liver and
kidney. The biggest issue with these pain medications – they don’t fix or correct the cause of the headaches.
Headaches are a common complaint
from the patients of Chiropractors. In the neck runs a vast array of nerves,
vertebrae, blood vessels, and joints. When any of these are compromised, there
is potential for a headache. These can be compromised from daily habits such as
bad posture, immobility, stress and more. A chiropractor is specifically
trained to address issues that can cause most types of headaches. There are several
routes a chiropractor can follow to help patients cope with their headaches.
Under the care of chiropractors, patients will undergo a thorough examination
to determine the cause and proper treatment of the individual’s headache.
Research
has shown that chiropractic adjustments are a safe and effective treatment for
headaches, even if the headache isn’t occurring at the time of the visit. These adjustments are a great preventative
measure for potential headaches in the future.
A 2011 report published in the Journal
of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics showed that chiropractic
care helps improve the outcomes of people suffering from cervicogenic headaches
– a headache that begins in the neck. Not only that, but in 2001, Duke
University published an article stating that spinal manipulation resulted in
almost an immediate improvement for those with headaches originating in the
neck. It also offered significantly fewer adverse effects and longer lasting
relief of tension-type headaches than most commonly prescribed medications. With
significantly fewer side effects, we shouldn’t need much more convincing in
considering alternative treatments to medication as a short and long term
solution.
Treatment
through chiropractic adjustments is not general – each case is different and is
treated as such. The thorough evaluation allows chiropractors to determine the
right course of action based upon the patient’s lifestyle. While relief
sometimes occurs instantly, it can also take longer in certain cases – it could
be hours, days, or weeks, dependent upon the cause of the pain. Typically, it
takes longer to feel relief from chronic headaches than the dull and less
frequent cases.
Headaches shouldn’t
be considered normal – each one has a cause, we just need to find it. Overall health and wellness is our number one
goal as chiropractors. We want to get our patients to a point where they’re in
a position that prevents headaches from disrupting their daily life. Headaches
are awful – no one likes them. So, here are a few tips that help ease the pain of
headaches when they occur…
·
Use a soft-gel ice pack. The cold pack forms to
the head to help alleviate pains.
·
Immediately avoid loud noises and bright lights.
This is also a potential trigger, but can greatly increase the intensity of the
current headache.
·
Periodically, gently massage your temples and
back of the neck to help ease any tension and/or discomfort.
·
Stress is a major trigger for headaches and increases
in pain. Removing yourself from stressful situations can allow you to find a
way to cope and ultimately prevent headaches.
·
Placing heat on the base of the neck will help
relax the muscles running to the head, decreasing tension.
