Livingston Chiropractic & Rehabilitation Headache Report

You are not the only one who is suffering from headache. 90% Americans suffer from headaches. They can be of many types - Occasional, frequent, throbbing, some causing unbearable pain and nausea.

In case of a throbbing headache, what do you do? Do you carry on gritting your teeth? Do you just lie down suffering? Do you take a pill and hope the pain subsides? We have a better alternative now.

Chiropractic is a method of treatment that manipulates body structure especially the spine, to relieve lower back pain or even headache or high blood pressure. Latest researches have shown that spinal manipulation done in Chiropractic could be an effective treatment for tension headaches and the headaches originating in the neck.

In 2001, a report was released by Duke University Evidence Based Practice Center in Durham, NC after the research in this field. On the basis of their research they found that spinal manipulation have resulted in almost immediate improvement for headaches originating in neck. Not only that, it had considerably lower side effects and long lasting relief in cases of tension type headaches in comparison to prescribed medication.

Also, a 1995 study published in Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that spinal manipulative therapy is an effective treatment for tension headaches and those patients who took four weeks of chiropractic treatment had continued relief in comparison to those who only had generally prescribed medicines for headaches.

Headache Triggers

You need to first understand what your headache trigger is or what is causing the headache. It could be due to food, environment (like hot weather, noise, bright sunlight) or could be due to the stress you are going through. Even your lack of sleep, excessive fatigue or blood sugar level can cause a headache. Research has shown that around 5% headaches are caused by physical problems. The major part, remaining 95% are termed as primary headaches which are caused by Migraine or tension.

What Can You Do?

· Don't spend too much time in a fixed position like sitting in front of a computer looking at the monitor, working on a sewing machine, typing, and reading. Stretch yourself in every 30 minutes to one hour. Stretching will help relieve the head and neck muscle.

· Some light exercise might help you relieve the pain which is associated with primary headache. But avoid heavy exercises if you are prone to dull & throbbing headache. Go for a walk or some light aerobics.

· Avoid teeth clenching except when swallowing. When the upper teeth touch the lower ones, it causes stress at the temporomandibular joints (TMJ). TMJ is two joints connecting jaw to the skull. Stress at TMJ leads to irritation and causes tension headache.

· Avoid dehydration which could lead to a headache. Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.

In addition to above, ACA and its Council on Nutrition recommend that you should avoid following food triggers:

· Avoid the food and drinks that have high caffeine contents like chocolate, coffee and cocoa. Sodas have high level of stimulant.

· Avoid foods or drinks with high salt or sugar content. These foods might trigger migraines that result in over sensitivity to light, noise or even sudden movements.

· Avoid drinks with high alcoholic contents, these drinks lead to dehydration which causes headache.

· Even high protein foods- dairy products or red meat might also be avoided in case of headache.

How can a Doctor of Chiropractic help?

Chiropractic care can help you in getting sustained relief from primary headache through one or more of the following treatments:

· Perform Chiropractic adjustments or spinal manipulation to improve your spinal function and ease the stress on your system.

· Provide you nutritional advice; recommend a change in your diet or additional vitamin requirement.

· Advice you on ergonomics (postures and movements), exercises and relaxation techniques to improve your health, performance and comfort. This advice will help you to get relief from recurring joint irritation and stiffness in the neck and upper back muscles.

Chiropractors are highly qualified and experienced to help patient in not just back pain or headache - but many ways.

There is a possibility that your headache is indicative of any health problem that needs care of another discipline. In such a case your doctor of chiropractic will refer you to an appropriate specialist accordingly.