| Headaches - How Can Chiropractic Help? |
| Written by Philip Vincent | |
| Sunday, 27 June 2010 | |
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It seems like everyone gets some kind of headache at some point in their lives, but when the headaches don't go away on their own, they may be more serious. Drugs and medications do a good job of masking the symptoms, but they don't address the underlying cause of the problem.
It seems like everyone gets some kind of headache at some point in their lives, but when the headaches don't go away on their own, they may be more serious. Drugs and medications do a good job of masking the symptoms, but they don't address the underlying cause of the problem. Many of these severe headaches can be slow to respond to chemical treatment, which, when made strong enough to address the headache, can have negative and potentially lasting consequences on the rest of the body when used over time. This is why many people with chronic head pain look to the more natural (and often more effective) alternative solution of chiropractic. Different Kinds of Headaches When treating any type of health condition, the first and most important step is to understand what is causing the problem. Since there are many different kinds of headaches, some are more effectively treated by chiropractic than others. Headaches are often caused by -changes in vascular constriction -muscle tension -congestion of the sinuses These headaches can radiate pain all over the head and feel centered in many different locations, but it is most important to know that chiropractic is a great solution to those headaches centered around muscle tension and changes in vascular flow. Sinus headaches may be treated as well but the cause is likely to be more complicated. The three main types of headaches most often found in chiropractic offices are: -migraine headaches -tension headaches -Cervicogenic headaches (headaches from the neck) This last category sounds a bit daunting but cervicogenic simply means a headache that is caused by referred pain that actually originates within the bone or muscles of the neck. Tension Headaches When we are stressed, frightened or angry, the bodys normal response is to tense the muscles in our neck, shoulders and head. This reaction is called the fight or flight response. Unfortunately, when situations requiring that fight or flight response arise frequently or the stress is a constant in our lives we can neither run from or fight with, that muscle tension can become a habit. This can lead to imbalances in the body, which then leads to more muscle tension and pain. Chiropractic care can will relax the tight muscles and realign the spine underneath to end this vicious cycle of pain. Those that are seeking treatment for tension headaches may often see a drastic improvement with just a few spinal adjustments as the nerves become less irritated and the muscles become more relaxed. Migraine Headaches Migraines are brought about by changes in vascular flow, triggered by a variety of factors such as different smells, foods, weather, hormonal changes, and stress. These often very painful headaches do not always start off as pain. They can begin with nausea or the person may experience a halo effect called a visual aura. Recent studies have shown chiropractic treatment may play a significant role in reducing the number of migraines a person has. By careful manipulation of the neck and spine, chiropractic adjustments may be able to reduce nerve irritation in the spine, thus preventing radiating or referred pain, and improve vascular flow. Treatment Types Chiropractic care centers around manipulation of the spine and neck to improve blood flow and posture. To reduce the headaches, the chiropractor will perform spinal adjustments using his hands, but may also include massage, trigger point therapy, or other types of complementary treatments to address the problem. The doctor of chiropractic will probably also include some home care recommendations such as stretching exercises and posture education to help keep things balanced between visits. The Article Author: Philip Vincent is a health educator. Need a Spokane Chiropractor? Consider a visit to this Chiropractor Spokane. |
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