How to Naturally Reduce Headaches
Headaches are one of the most common ailments occurring in adults. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, over 50% of adults worldwide have at least one headache a year, many having more. 30% of those adults suffer from chronic headaches, making headaches a leader in nervous system disorders.
Chiropractors are trained to understand and support the nervous and musculoskeletal systems. Both systems can impact the other, so having the skillset to treat both means chiropractic care is an excellent, comprehensive approach to managing your headaches.
In this post, we’re going over:
- Why you get headaches
- Kinds of headaches
- Chiropractic solutions to treat headaches
- And more
If you’re suffering from headaches, this post will tell you how chiropractic care can help reduce their frequency and intensity.
What Causes Headaches?
Headaches can affect anyone, so determining what’s causing yours will help you know how to best treat it. Chiropractors are well-versed at finding the source of your pain, understanding that treating the symptom only can lead to further or heightened injury.
At our chiropractic clinics, we work with several patients who want to get their headaches controlled safely and effectively.
Some of the patients we work with have headaches for the following reasons:
- Poor posture
- Neck muscle overuse or strain
- Consistent handheld device use
- Whiplash
- Car accident or sports injury
- Stress
- Habitual improper sleeping position
- TMJ or teeth grinding
- And more
In most cases, your headaches can be diminished using holistic chiropractic solutions that lead to a balanced, aligned, and strong body.
Types of Headaches
There are several types of headaches; some occur in women and are based on hormone imbalances, some occur in those with high blood pressure, and some are due to eyesight issues.
However, the most common types of recurring headaches can occur in anyone of any age, adhering to various lifestyles, and within any demographic.
Tension headaches
These headaches usually come on when we feel extremely stressed. Pain levels vary and is generally felt in the forehead. Some patients complain of soreness throughout the neck and shoulders as well.
Migraine headaches
You’ve likely heard someone say they have a migraine, but in many cases, migraines are so painful you can hardly keep your eyes open, much less talk about your headache. Migraines occur when the brain experiences changes and can trigger due to weather changes, stress, lack of sleep, and more.
Migraines are considered one of the more severe headaches and can last for days. Patients usually feel throbbing pain on the sides of the head. They may also become dizzy and feel nauseous, have light and noise sensitivity, and find that their eyesight is blurry or otherwise impaired.
Cluster headaches
Cluster headaches aren’t as common as tension or migraine headaches; however, they are extremely painful and come and go for days. They usually last between 15 minutes and three hours, up to eight times a day for as long as six weeks.
Patients will feel a burning sensation or sharp pain near or behind the eye or side of the face. Cluster headaches can also cause the face to swell and eyelids to droop and tear.
Sinus headaches
Sinus-related headaches are centered around impairment of the sinus cavity and are common among those with allergies. They can also occur due to illness and dry weather, so even if you don’t have allergies, you can get a sinus headache. Generally, the pain is an ache felt in the forehead and cheeks.
Chiropractic Care to Treat Headaches
Chiropractic offers proven, reliable headache relief utilizing various methods and techniques. We’ll first discover what’s causing your headaches to ensure you get the correct service, then design a wellness plan around you.
Chiropractic adjustments to treat headaches
Spinal manipulations can reduce pressure on areas of the neck, shoulders, and back that are compromised. Using a quick, controlled thrust to a targeted joint, we can balance the body, so the spine sits in its fully functioning state.
Active Release Technique (ART) to treat headaches
We often use this technique on our patients with headaches by removing stress and tension that’s on the soft tissues and nerves of the neck. This treatment offers pain relief, flexibility, and range of motion.
Dry needling to treat headaches
Using thin needles, chiropractors can accurately penetrate the skin above the affected areas, restoring the muscles and soft tissues. This pain-free method can reduce discomfort quickly and safely.
Home-based rehabilitation for headache relief
We offer take-home exercises that complement the services we provide in-office. Exercises are based on your unique goals and serve to stretch and strengthen the body, helping to prevent headaches from returning.
The Takeaway
For those of us who get headaches, we know that the stress of a minor one can lead to a bigger one. Wondering whether your day will be destroyed or your routine will be compromised; whether you can work on your computer or make it to the gym. That’s no way to spend your day.
Let’s take the guesswork out of it by helping reduce your headaches for good. Schedule an appointment so you can start living your life actively and in comfort. We’re here for you and ready to find a wellness strategy to support your needs.
