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Can You See a Chiropractor for Headaches?

Written By Natural Healing Arts Medical on November 14, 2017

Today's world is demanding enough without adding painful headaches and skull-splitting migraines to the mix. In fact, migraines can prove so debilitating that they cause those who suffer from them to pass out or vomit. If you find such pain invading your life, it may be time to see a chiropractor for headaches and migraines.

What Causes Headaches

Headaches have a variety of causes, which are called "triggers." Common triggers include noise, different types of light, food, smells, certain behaviors, and of course stress.

Often, headache and migraine suffers are encouraged to simply take some medication or lie down for a while. It's true that medication or a nap can help headaches or migraines. But only if a medical issue or sleep deprivation is what is causing them.

For many, sleep and medicine will bring only temporarily relief. That is because the majority of headaches and migraines are caused by muscle tension in the scalp, back, and neck areas as well as joint irritation.

The Different Types of Headaches

There are several different types of headaches, all graded according to severity.

Tension Headaches

Tension headaches are the most common form of headache. Fortunately, they're mild compared to other headaches, but that doesn't mean they can't interfere with life.

Most of the time, tension headaches are caused by things such as not eating well or not getting enough sleep. If the sufferer addresses all the usually causes, the issue may lie in muscle tension or spinal misalignment (subluxation).

Cluster Headaches

Cluster headaches can create extreme pain for the sufferer. People who suffer from cluster headaches must deal with them on a regular basis. Typically, a cluster headache will occur daily, sometimes for as long as weeks or months.

Cluster headaches are sometimes linked to allergies. As such, those who suffer from cluster headaches usually develop them during the same time every year.

The pain caused by cluster headaches stems from the trigeminal nerve, a nerve that runs along the side of the face. Many times cluster headaches are the product of misalignment of the spine's cervical area.

Migraines

Anyone who has ever had a migraine knows they're nothing to joke about. Migraines are the most severe form of headache, causing those who suffer from them unbearable pain. Typical symptoms include temporary vision loss, light sensitivity, and vomiting.

Migraines share many of the same triggers as tension headaches, including stress, food, and sleep deprivation. Another chief cause of migraines is muscle tension.

How Seeing A Chiropractor For Headaches Helps

As masters of muscle manipulation, chiropractors are more than able to treat headaches caused by muscle tension and spinal misalignment.

The chiropractor will first evaluate the problem by examining the area as well as asking you a series of questions. Be sure to tell him or her if there is any sort of pressure or touching that helps ease your headaches when you get them.

Then, during a series of appointments, the chiropractor will work on the area in question. He or she will use a combination of spinal adjustments and soft tissue therapy. The soft tissue therapy will target easing trigger point stimulation so sufferers don't experience headaches as often.

Next, the chiropractor will evaluate your posture. He or she will correct your poor posture and give you tips on how to maintain good posture. Daily exercises may be assigned to the patient to practice good posture techniques.

Finally, the chiropractor will talk with the patient about job-related muscle tension and posture. Many of us lean over our computers with one elbow, which throws pressure into that arm. We also hold heavy-lifting positions at construction companies and factories. The chiropractor will recommend how to maintain proper posture while at work in a way that doesn't interfere with the jobs.

Benefits

Going to see a chiropractor for headaches has numerous benefits. Check out a portion of these benefits below.

Avoid Medicine Increase and Use

Headache and migraine medicine can get costly. Seeing a chiropractor can help ease the burden of hefty medicine bills.

Additionally, seeing a chiropractor for headaches is H. Many patients feel uncomfortable when taking chemical medication and prefer to use all-natural alternatives.

And then many other patients are already taking medication for other ailments. Mixing medications can produce unwanted side effects, including depression and constant sleepiness. Seeing a chiropractor will avoid adding one more mediation to the mix.

Realign The Spine

One of the main causes of migraines is spinal misalignment.

Spinal misalignment isn't just uncomfortable. It can cause chemical imbalances in the sufferer's brain, leading to increased pain. Realigning the spine allows the patient to move well and takes pressure off his or her nerves.

Reduce Bodily Irritation and Tension

Tense muscles don't just lead to pain. They also lead to irritation of the nerves.

The tightening of the muscles increase pressure and reduce blood circulation. In turn, nerves become irritated and even inflamed.

Restore Circulation

The body depends on blood circulation, which carries oxygen throughout the body, to function properly. Poor or no circulation can result in limbs or even the whole body shutting down and dying.

Poor circulation is believed to be the cause of many migraines. Because the brain is not receiving adequate oxygen, the brain's arteries expand, tightening the skull cavity.

Additionally, improved circulation helps the body heal itself more quickly. The body heals using platelets that swim via blood to the site of a wound, where they fuse together and form clotting.

Additional All-Natural Recommendations

Light exercise has been known to relieve headache pains. It gets your blood flowing, thus increasing your circulation. Effective activities include walking and light aerobics.

Steer clear of heavy exercise, however. This holds especially true if the headaches you suffer from tend to throb.

Dehydration is another common cause of headaches. It is recommended you drink eight 8-ounce glasses or more of water every day. Drinking water will also help you replenish water lost while exercising.

Need To See A Chiropractor For Headaches? Contact Us!

At Natural Healing Arts Medical Center, we want you to receive the headache treatment that you need--and deserve. To schedule an appointment, reach out to us today!


Posted In: Chiropractic Headache Treatment