Chiropractic Care for Headaches
By Paul Rothbart
Tension headaches are an all too common malady for many people. Stress, overwork, allergies. So many things lurking out there just waiting to deliver pain. At best, they are annoying, at worst, debilitating. They make just getting through the day a major challenge. There are ways to prevent them and make them go away. Here are some facts about tension headaches, what to do about them, and how chiropractic care may help.
Causes of Tension Headaches
Stress of any kind can cause a tension headache. It can be work, worry about paying bills, a tough situation in a relationship. Any of this can be contributing factors. There are also activities that can bring on a headache. Looking down at a cell phone all day or spending hours working on a laptop are bad for posture and cause tightness in the neck and shoulders. This is almost certainly to cause a headache. Long hours behind the wheel also cause tension that often manifests in a headache. Sleeping on your stomach can sometimes cause one as can constantly clenching your jaw.
Managing Tension Headaches
The best way to deal with a headache is not to get one in the first place. Since any of the above activities can cause a tension headache, avoid them as much as possible. Take frequent breaks when working on a computer. Look up from the screen and around the room from time to time. Stop for breaks on long drives. A better sleeping position may also help as may a body pillow for support. Over the counter medications such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and acetaminophen can reduce and eliminate the pain. But drugs always come with a certain amount of risk. Natural treatments are safer and often just as effective.
Chiropractic Care
Although chiropractic care is not a guaranteed treatment for tension headaches, it has worked for many people. Spinal and neck adjustments release tension in those areas. Since many tension headaches start there, getting them alignment is attacking the problem at its source. Regularly seeing a chiropractor may help to relax and reduce stress. This can also lessen the frequency and severity of headaches.
It's never easy to accomplish daily tasks with a tension headache. Fortunately, they are fairly easy to treat and the risk can be significantly reduced. Avoid the activities that cause headaches and consider dropping in at The Joint Chiropractic to see if regular treatments may also help prevent them.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Chicago, Ill.