Headache Treatment & Relief

Headache Relief: The Power of Chiropractic Care

It's hard to find someone who has never experienced a headache, though some more severe than others. The worst of which can be excruciating and downright debilitating. Chiropractors can successfully treat these conditions because most headaches are caused by muscle tension in the neck. See the connection?

I see patients with joint irritation and muscle tension primarily as a result of 3 main behaviors: too much time in a fixed position at their desk, "text neck", and improper sleeping styles. I also see repetitive stress or trauma-like events putting the spine in misalignment, creating pressure on neighboring nerves. When nerves are irritated, the muscles in the back, neck, and jaw tighten, leading to your headache. 

Some medicines  provide short-term relief, but this is only treating the surface-level problem and will not truly heal you. Chiropractic adjustments address the cause of your headache so you'll get better results and improved quality of life. Because headaches are seriously the worst (amiright?) A 2011 study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that chiropractic care, including spinal manipulation improves migraines and headaches that originate in the neck.

During a chiropractic treatment I perform a thorough evaluation that will rule out other possible causes of your headache and examine your spine for issues of misalignment. In addition to spinal manipulation and adjustment, we also recommend these tips for prevention or relief:

  • Evaluate the ergonomics of your work environment (posture, chair, computer height)

  • Take breaks at work or school, anywhere you are in a fixed position for extended time

  • Stretch! Neck, back, arms, wrists. Take your body through a comfortable range of motion, don't put too much force into it

  • Avoid clenching your teeth & jaw (you might be doing this in your sleep, too)

  • Limit certain food & drink that could be triggers for you. Common triggers: salt/sodium, gluten, alcohol, sugar. All in all, try to eat healthy and consume certain things in moderation.

  • Get a great pillow (not endorsed, but here are some top rated: Dream Science by Martha Stewart, Mediflow Waterbase Pillow)

  • Take B vitamins (read more)

  • Prevent dehydration by drinking at least eight 8oz glasses of water a day. 12 tips here:

 

 

Services We Offer, Educational, TipsChris Gaddieheadache, relief, neck pain, migraine, prevention, treatment