Your Chance to Beat Back Migraines
By Randi Morse
Any sort of headache can make life significantly more complicated, but if you're like most people a migraine is going to knock you down for an entire day. Migraines are what I like to call headaches on steroids. They're much more painful, much more persistent and come with a host of other problems including light sensitivity, nausea and fatigue. If you're one of the millions of people who suffer from migraines on a regular basis, a visit to the chiropractor may be a good option.
Headache Triggers
Most people find that their headaches, especially migraines, are brought on by triggers. Triggers can include a wide array of different type of stimuli, including lights, loud noises and even stress. Other types of triggers are behavioral, including rapid changes in blood sugar and insomnia. Even exercising excessively can cause a migraine to come on. While there are plenty of triggers that can cause migraines, many migraines, and tension headaches, are caused by severe muscle tension in your neck.
Muscle Tension
We have vastly different lives now than our ancestors did. We're much more sedentary and are using our neck far more than our great-grandparents needed to. We spend a great deal of time in a fixed position, such as working on a computer or watching television. All these activities can cause the neck to retain tension in it, which can then trigger migraines.
Chiropractic Help
If you're struggling with migraines, there are some things your chiropractor can do to help. Your neck and body will be fully examined during your initial intake examination. During this procedure the doctor will be feeling the alignment of your spine and neck. Even a small amount of restrictions, commonly called misalignments, could be causing excessive migraines. Your doctor can then perform spinal manipulation, or other forms of chiropractic adjustments, that will help to put everything back in line. Doing so actually alleviates the pressure and stress that could have been a primary cause of migraines. Your doctor may suggest regular appointments in order to keep your spinal system aligned, which should help bring down the amount of migraines and headaches you have per month.
Other Things You Can Do
The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) also has several tips that can help you to avoid headaches and migraines, including making sure you take a break from your electronic connections and get up and move every 30 minutes or so. When you do, try stretching out and doing some range-of-motion movements with your neck and head. If you find yourself clenching your jaw during the day, learn to relax those muscles. Jaw clenching can affect the production of migraines in a huge way.
No one wants to have their life stopped because of a migraine. If you're suffering from migraines on a regular basis, be sure to see your chiropractor at The Joint.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Houston, Tex.