Whether your headaches are intermittent or chronic, a dull throbbing or intense pain, they are always unwelcome and sometimes debilitating. The comprehensive chiropractic care offered at the Cafe of Life in Longmont can relieve headache pain and help prevent future occurrences. The American Chiropractic Association provides the following information for about chiropractic care for headache sufferers:
What causes headaches?
95% of headaches are tension, migraine or cluster types while 5% point to another underlying health problem. The majority of the 95% subset are caused by muscle tension in the neck due to spending hours in a fixed position, such as sitting at a desk. Other triggers include certain types of food, environmental factors (like noise or light) and other physiological conditions such as insomnia and changes in blood sugar.
How can you prevent a headache?
Stretch your whole body, but especially your head and neck, every 30 minutes or so when sitting for an extended period of time. Avoid clenching your teeth, which stresses the joints between your jaw and skull, and can lead to TMJ headaches. Drink at least 64 ounces of water everyday, as dehydration is a common reason for headaches. Headache pain can sometimes be alleviated with low-impact exercise, like walking.
How can chiropractic care help with headaches?
To provide instant relief, a chiropractor will perform gentle manipulations and adjustments to decrease joint irritation and realign the spine. A chiropractor will show you specific exercises, relaxation techniques and ergonomic advice you can use at home or work to help relieve irritation and tension in your neck and upper back. They also can offer nutritional advice to determine if a change in diet would decrease recurring headaches.
A 2011 study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that migraines improved after patients received a spinal manipulation and other forms of chiropractic care. If you’re tired of popping pills for recurring headaches, make an appointment with Dr. Jess at the Cafe of Life in Longmont to experience how chiropractic care can naturally and effectively relieve headache pain.