Headaches and Migraines; How Chiropractic Treatment Helps

Headaches and Migraines; How Chiropractic Treatment Helps

Three types of the most common headaches are tension headaches, migraines, and cluster headaches. Here at our chiropractic clinic in Kailua, we treat patients every day that are suffering from headaches. 90% of Americans have experienced a tension headache where the ache starts at the back of your head and spreads forward. The symptoms include tightening, squeezing or dull pain on both sides of the head. Tension headaches can last anywhere from minutes to days.

One of the most common cause of tension headaches is subluxations in the upper back and neck which can be treated effectively with chiropractic adjustments. Tension headaches can be caused my many things including stress and bad posture. This is because bad posture adds stress onto the spine and muscles surrounding the spine. If your neck seems to be the point of origin for your headache, OSR’s chiropractic team can help ease that tension.

Another type of headache is a migraine. Migraines are known as the “worst” kind of headache in the terms of pain. They start as a dull ache, usually on one side of the head and then become an intense throbbing or pulsing pain. A migraine can last from hours to days and are the most common headache that patients are hospitalized for.

Migraine triggers include:

Poor eating habits

Not enough sleep

Caffeine withdrawal

Alcohol

Additional symptoms to a migraine are sensitivity to light and noise, or the pain causing visual symptoms like cloudy vision or seeing lights. This is known as an “aura’ and is fairly common at 20% of all migraine patients feeling. Acupuncture has been known to help migraines, as well as chiropractic care can help prevent future migraines as well as reducing the severity of the migraine attack. Also, normal chiropractic adjustments can help relieve any tension in the neck that can is associated with not only tension headaches but also migraines.

Another type of common headache is a cluster headache. This type of headache is usually described by patients as a sharp pain that originates behind an eye. This type of headache can occur a few times a day. The most common symptoms can be found in the eye, if an eye is bloodshot or teary because of pain, there is a good chance you have a cluster headache. Men tend to suffer from cluster headaches than women. This certain type of headache is often thought to be caused by chemical reactions in the brain.

Tips to Avoid Headaches

Stay Hydrated! It is important that your body is getting all of the water that it needs a day, or your body could be dealing with dehydration which can be a cause of headaches.

Get enough sleep! Lack of a good sleeping schedule or inadequate hours of sleep can lead to headaches because of increased stress.

Watch your diet. The food industry packs entirely too much sugar into processed foods. When eating certain sugar-high foods and drinks your body will not have enough nutrients which can lead to headaches.

If suffering from chronic or daily headaches, start logging your activities so that you and your doctor can find the triggers to your headaches.

Exercise regularly! Because the neck and spine are usually the root of all headaches and tension in your head, it helps to exercise regularly to keep those muscles strong and protected.

More than 70% of people with headaches do not see a doctor because of their symptoms. Here at Oahu Spine and Rehab, our chiropractic and physical therapy staff can help you find out what is causing your headaches as well as ease the pain and tension.

 

Resources:

http://blog.zocdoc.com/understanding-headaches/

http://www.tollgatechiropractic.com/conditions/headaches.html

http://www.isischiropractic.co.uk/chiropractic_migraines.html

Raleigh Chiropractic Treatment for Headaches

 

Leave a Comment

Schedule Your Consultation

Oahu Spine & Rehab – Over 100 Five Star Reviews!

Patient Reviews

Please contact us for a complimentary evaluation. Whether you are looking for physical therapy, rehabilitation by a medical doctor, or other physical treatments, we have you covered.

Helping Patients Restore Their Health

We are one of Hawaii’s very few physical medicine facilities that can offer you a variety of services all under one roof. If you are looking for massage, physical therapy, specific pain management, or other physical treatments we are here to help.

Scroll to Top