| Headaches - Not Just In Your Head |
| Written by Philip Vincent | |
| Wednesday, 08 April 2009 | |
|
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 the more severe headache symptoms are slow to respond to chemical treatment, which when made more intense to address the headache, can have long lasting and often negative effects to the body when used over time. This is why many people with chronic head pain look to the more natural (and very often the more effective alternative) solution of chiropractic care. There Are 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 constriction of the vascular system -muscle tension -congested sinuses These headaches can refer or radiate pain all over your head and they can feel like they're centered in many different locations, but it is most important to realize that chiropractic seems to work best in the types of headaches that are based around muscle tension and changes to vascular flow. Sinus headaches have also had success, but they are likely to have a more complicated cause. There are three main types of headaches typically found in a chiropractic office: -migraine headaches -tension headaches -cervicogenic headaches 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 some imbalances in the way we hold our body, which in turn leads to more muscle tension and pain. Chiropractic treatment can relax these muscles and realign the spine's structure to put and end to the vicious cycle of pain. Those seeking chiropractic care for tension headaches can often see a marked improvement in just a few treatments as the nerves become less irritated and the muscles begin to relax. Migraine Headaches Migraine headaches are caused by changes in vascular flow, which can be brought about b a variety of factors such as changes in the weather, hormonal changes, stress, even different smells or foods -- just to name a few. These headaches do not always start as pain, but may begin with nausea or visual auras. The headache can be strong or weak, but most migraine sufferers experience very painful headaches. Recent research has indicated that chiropractic treatment can reduce the number of migraines a person experiences. By adjusting the neck and spine with chiropractic treatment, you may be able to improve vascular flow and reduce the nerve irritation in the spine. Treatment Types Chiropractic treatment centers around the idea of manipulating the spinal column and neck to improve posture and blood flow. To treat a headache, the chiropractor will likely perform an adjustment with his or her hands, but may also use trigger point therapy, massage and other supporting types of treatments to create a holistic approach to the problem. The chiropractor will also likely recommend some stretching exercises and basic changes in posture to help keep things balanced in between visits. The Article Author: Philip Vincent is a health educator and lecturer. If you need a Chiropractor in Meridian Idaho you'll have a hard time doing better than Better Life Chiropractic. |
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