Do you have a headache? You are not alone. In fact, 50% of the worldwide population suffers from headaches at least once a year. Headaches come in different types and intensities. Some come occasionally while others are a frequent burden. There are types of headaches that are throbbing and dull, while some are strong enough that they even cause nausea and debilitating pain.

So what do you do to deal with a pounding headache? Do you immediately take some meds and just hope it goes away? Do you try to ignore it? Do you try to sleep it off? How about visiting a chiropractic doctor? Have you considered this alternative?

Research shows that one of our primary treatments, which is spinal manipulation, could be an effective option for treatment of tension headaches and neck-related headaches. It also helps improve migraines and cervicogenic headaches.

Triggers

Many things can trigger a headache, including stress, noise, light, food, blood sugar changes, and even your lifestyle. 95% of all headaches are considered primary headaches, meaning they are not caused by any underlying disease but a headache itself is the problem. Some examples of primary headaches are cluster and tension headaches, as well as migraines.

What many people do not know is that majority of primary headaches are connected to muscle tension in the neck. With the kind of sedentary lifestyle most people have these days, the hours spent sitting in the office in a fixed position, and many other things contribute to muscle tension and joint irritation, leading to headaches.

Why Chiropractic Can Help

Doctors of chiropractic go through very extensive training to help patients in many different ways, and not just to treat lower back pains. For instance, we know when your headaches may be related to tension in your neck and spine.

We can perform chiropractic adjustments or spinal manipulation to help you achieve better spinal function, as well as to help alleviate stress. We can also help you to release some of the muscle tension through various forms of soft tissue therapy. In addition giving you helpful advice on posture and ergonomics can help keep you headache-free. We may also suggest various exercises, relaxation techniques, and more. We aim to relieve you of the recurring joint irritation and neck muscle tension that could be behind your headaches.

Helpful Tips

  • If you spend hours sitting in front of a computer or your workstation, do try to take a break every 30 minutes or so.

 

  • Try to do some stretching during your breaks, making sure that you take your neck and head through a range of motion that’s still comfortable.

 

  • Do some low-impact exercises that can help relieve primary headaches. Walking is a recommended activity.

 

  • Drink at least 8 glasses of water each day to avoid dehydration.