Have a Headache? Chiropractic Care Can Help

Headache treatment by Chiropractic

If you have a headache, you’re not alone. Nine out of ten people suffer from chronic headaches. Some are occasional, some frequent, some are dull and throbbing, and some cause debilitating pain and nausea. What do you do when you suffer from a aching headache? Do you grit your teeth and carry on? Lie down? Pop a pill and hope the pain goes away? There is a better alternative. New research shows that spinal manipulation – the primary form of care provided by Chiropractic doctors at Maple healthcare – is an effective option for headache treatment.

A report released by researchers at the Duke University Evidence – Based Practice Center in Durham, NC, found that spinal manipulation resulted in almost immediate improvement for those headaches that originate in the neck, and had significantly fewer side effects and longer-lasting relief of tension-type headache than a commonly prescribed medication.

Also, a study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that spinal manipulative therapy is an effective headache treatment for tension and that those who ceased chiropractic treatment after four weeks experienced a sustained therapeutic benefit in comparison with those patients who received a commonly prescribed medication.

Headache Triggers

But to get to the source of the problem, you first need to find out what is causing your pain. Headaches have many causes, or “triggers.” These may include foods, environmental stimuli (noises, lights, stress, etc.) and/or behaviors (insomnia, excessive exercise, blood sugar changes, etc.). About 5 percent of all headaches are warning signals caused by physical problems.

Ninety-five percent of headaches are primary headaches, such as tension, migraine, or cluster headaches. These types of headaches are not caused by disease. The headache itself is the primary concern.

“The greatest majority of primary headaches are associated with muscle tension in the neck,” says the Chiropractic Board of Governors. “Today, people engage in more sedentary activities than they used to, and more hours are spent in one fixed position or posture. This can increase joint irritation and muscle tension in the neck, upper back and scalp, causing your head to ache.”

What Can You Do?

Maple Healthcare suggests the following:

• If you spend a large amount of time in one fixed position, such as in front of a computer, on a sewing machine, typing or reading, take a break and stretch every 30 minutes to one hour. The stretches should take your head and neck through a comfortable range of motion.
• Low-impact exercise may help relieve the pain associated with primary headaches. However, if you are prone to dull, throbbing headaches, avoid heavy exercise. Engage in such activities as walking and low-impact aerobics.
• Drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day to help avoid dehydration, which can lead to headaches.

What Can We Do For You?

Dr. D’Alfonso, clinical director of Maple Healthcare, says you may do one or more of the following if you suffer from a primary headache:

• Perform chiropractic adjustments to improve spinal function and alleviate the stress on your system.
• Recommended changes in diet and perhaps the addition of B complex vitamins.
• Offer advice on posture, ergonomics (work postures), exercises and relaxation techniques. This advice should help to relieve the recurring joint irritation and tension in the muscles of the neck and upper back.

Chiropractic Care Can Help

Come see us at Maple and talk to your doctor of chiropractic about other ways to improve your lifestyle. Doctors of chiropractic are trained and licensed to examine and treat the entire body with specific emphasis on the nervous, muscle and skeletal systems. They can also help people live healthier lives by focusing on wellness and prevention.

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