Approximately 90 percent of Americans suffer from headaches at some point in their lives. While some people experience occasional, minor headaches, others suffer from persistent pain that can cause nausea. In some cases, the pain can be severe enough to curtail participation in normal activities like reading. Research shows that spinal manipulation can be an effective treatment option for individuals suffering from tension headaches or headaches that start in the neck. A 2014 report published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics stated that commonly used chiropractic intervention techniques resulted in improved outcomes for headache sufferers. An earlier study showed chiropractic care could even improve migraines.
Headache Triggers
A number of factors can trigger a headache. These include food; physiological reasons such as low blood sugar; or environmental stimuli such as lights, noises and stress. Excessive exercise, insomnia and vision problems may also produce a headache. Another major cause of this common condition is muscle tension that typically originates in the neck.
In 95 percent of cases, a headache is the primary medical condition rather than an underlying disease. With the rise of sedentary lifestyles, people spend increasing amounts of time in a fixed position—often with poor posture—at work and home in front of a video screen. This can cause joint irritation and muscle tension in the neck, shoulders and upper back, which increase the potential for a headache.
Treatment Options
To help prevent muscle tension, the American Chiropractic Association recommends that you take a break and stretch every 30 minutes to an hour. This should include range of motion exercises in which you comfortably rotate your neck. Low-impact exercises like walking also help keep muscles loose. You should avoid clenching your jaw. Staying well hydrated also helps reduce headaches. If conservative lifestyle changes do not provide sufficient relief, you should seek medical advice.
A doctor of chiropractic care undergoes extensive training and understands how spinal issues relate to other problems in the body. Our specialist may perform spinal manipulation or other musculoskeletal adjustments to alleviate your headache. These techniques are designed to improve spinal performance and ease stress on the system. Our doctor may also provide nutritional and dietary advice as well as insight into ergonomics, exercises and relaxation techniques that reduce muscle tension and joint irritation.
If you suffer from recurring headaches, we can help you get to the root of the problem and develop a personalized treatment plan for you at La Grange Chiropractic. We will review your medical history and develop a course of chiropractic treatment that may lessen or eliminate the pain. Proper treatment can help improve your quality of life. Contact our office in La Grange today to schedule your first appointment and learn about your options.