Chiropractic Can Help with Headaches
By Debra Rodzinak
Ninety percent of Americans suffer from headaches. There are many different ways people treat headaches. Some take pills, some lie down in a dark room, some just grit their teeth and bear it. However, there is another alternative—spinal manipulation.
In two studies reported in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT), chiropractic spinal manipulation was found to be beneficial in improving neck pain and migraine and cervicogenic headaches. Those looking for an effective, natural means to headache relief should look to spinal manipulation.
Triggers for Headaches
Different types of headaches can be caused by different stimuli, such as:
- Certain foods like chocolate or foods containing MSG
- Stress
- Noises or lights
- Blood sugar changes
- Exercise
- Insomnia
Ninety-five out of 100 headaches are labeled as tension, migraine, or cluster headaches. The primary cause of these headaches have muscle tension in the neck associated with the headache. Because people aren’t as active as they should be and sit for prolonged periods of time in one position, muscle tension, joint irritation, and headaches are the result.
How Chiropractic Can Help
The American Chiropractic Association offers some suggestions for headache prevention:
- When sitting for prolonged periods of time in one position, take a break every 30 minutes. Get up and move around or stretch. Make sure to focus the movements of the neck and spine.
- For primary headaches, try exercise. However, if the headache is dull and throbbing, avoid heavy exercise. Try walking instead.
- Clenching the teeth causes the joints that connect the jaw to the skull to experience stress. The top and bottom teeth should not touch except when chewing food.
- Dehydration can lead to headaches, so drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily.
How a Chiropractor Can Help
If you are suffering from a primary headache, a chiropractor may perform spinal manipulation or adjust the spine to improve the overall function of the spine and decrease stress on the nervous system. The chiropractor may also advise patients on ergonomic features, exercises, and relaxation techniques—anything that helps relieve joint irritation and tension in the neck and upper back muscles.
At The Joint, the expert doctors can help patients suffering from headaches with gentle spinal adjustments. If you are looking for an all natural path to wellness and pain relief, drop by The Joint and let our expert team help you develop a plan that puts you in charge. With no pesky insurance forms to fill out or appointment times to remember, finding a natural way to relieve your headache is easy and stress-free.