If you suffer from frequent headaches or migraines, you’re not alone. In fact, 9 out of 10 Americans suffer from some form of headaches. Muscle tension headaches and migraines are typically the most common, however, they can also be caused by other issues like sinus congestion or high blood pressure. Some headaches are dull and throbbing annoyances that make concentration difficult. Others, like migraines, can cause debilitating pain and nausea. Light and sound sensitivity are also common symptoms that can make it difficult to function normally. Many people turn to medications, whether over-the-counter or prescription, to deal with their pain. However, chiropractic care as a treatment and preventative measure can be a better, drugless alternative.
What Causes a Headache?
Headaches and migraines can have various causes or triggers. Certain foods can cause them, as well as environmental factors such as lights, sounds, or stress. In addition, individual behaviors like changes in blood sugar, insomnia, or excessive exercise could all be potential culprits. About 5% of all headaches are warning signals that are trying to alert that something else is physically wrong with the body. For instance, you may develop a headache if you haven’t eaten for an extended period of time. In this instance, the headache is a side effect of plummeting blood sugar. The other 95% of headaches are migraine, tension, or cluster headaches. These types aren’t caused by any other disease or contributing factor. The headache itself is the primary concern.
The majority of primary headaches can be traced to muscle tension in the neck. A large portion of Americans live sedentary lifestyles. Most of the hours of the day are spent in one fixed position or posture. An office worker sits for 8-10 hours at their job and then goes home and spends the rest of the evening sitting on the couch. Sitting for extended periods of time can cause a lot of damage to the spine, especially if one sits slouched or hunched over.
In addition, it’s very common for those who work at a computer to subconsciously crane their neck for extended periods of time. This requires the muscles in the neck to support the head while extended. Craning the neck or sitting slouched for a long time can create irritation or tension in the neck, upper back, and scalp, causing the head to ache.
How Can Chiropractic Help?
Research shows that spinal manipulation may be an effective treatment option for headaches and migraines that originate in the neck. A 2014 report from the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics discovered that the treatments and adjustments commonly used in chiropractic care were very beneficial in treating headaches associated with acute and chronic neck pain. Another study from the same publication, done in 2011, found that chiropractic spinal manipulation improved and lessened migraine headaches.
A chiropractic doctor can perform spinal manipulations or adjustments to improve overall function and alleviate stress on your system. Sitting for extended periods of time with poor posture can create muscular imbalances that then need to be compensated for, leading to an increase of overall tension in the spine. When the imbalance is corrected, your body is unburdened from the extra tension and can function normally.
Chiropractors can also offer advice on proper posture, ergonomics, exercises to relieve tension, and relaxation techniques. They can also guide your nutrition, which is especially beneficial for those whose headaches are diet or blood-sugar related.
Chiropractic Care in Toms River
If you suffer from frequent headaches or migraines, you’ve probably tried every trick in the book when trying to cope with the pain. Unfortunately, most medical doctors will treat the symptoms of a headache, rather than seek the cause of the problem. Most patients are asked to get MRI or CT scans of the brain. However, it’s been reported that only 1 in just over 11,000 patients have a problem that actually shows up on these types of tests. Over-the-counter and prescription pain relievers may help reduce the symptoms of a headache, but they won’t treat or correct the actual cause.
Dr. Phil Altieri is one of the premier chiropractors in Toms River. Once the owner of several successful offices, he scaled down his practice to one location so that he could personally attend to each and every patient. He provides individualized chiropractic treatments and adjustments for a variety of causes and issues. If you want to find and fix the root cause of your headaches, schedule your appointment today!
