Chiropractic Treatment for Headaches Santa Fe, NM
Research shows that chiropractic care is an effective treatment option for tension headaches and headaches that originate in the neck. A 2014 report in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT) found that interventions commonly used in chiropractic care improved outcomes for treating acute and chronic neck pain. Also, a 2011 JMPT study found that chiropractic care can improve migraine and cervicogenic headaches. Another study published in the European Journal of Neurology compared chiropractic spinal manipulation with a common medication for migraines. The study found that both treatments were equally effective in reducing the frequency and intensity of migraines, but chiropractic care had fewer side effects.
Headaches have many causes or "triggers." These may include foods, environmental stimuli (noises, lights, stress, etc.), and behaviors (insomnia, excessive exercise, blood sugar changes, etc.). About 5 percent of all headaches are warning signals caused by physical problems. The remaining 95 percent of headaches are primary headaches, such as tension, migraine, or cluster headaches.
Most primary headaches are associated with muscle tension in the neck and head resulting from uncorrected vertebral and cranial subluxations. Utilizing the Activator Methods Chiropractic Technique and its specific system of neuromuscular analysis, we can successfully treat the underlying cause of this type of headache.
Other Causes of Headaches
A variety of factors can cause primary headaches. The good news is that many of these lifestyle factors are habits and patterns that you can control. Understanding a few of the most common causes of headaches will give you the information to make the changes needed to find lasting relief.
Ironically, one of the most common causes of headaches, including migraines, is the medication usually prescribed to treat them. Overuse of many over-the-counter medications is a leading factor in a refractory or bounce-back headache, which is why pills may not be the best option for care. Many tension headaches start with repetitive motion and poor posture while sitting or standing at work.
Keeping your shoulders back and your spine aligned throughout the day can help prevent future episodes. And finally- most of the good stuff like coffee, cheese, alcohol, and meats have substances that can cause headaches. You don't need to eliminate them, but we recommend having a watchful eye towards moderation.
Headaches Every Day? Keep reading…
Life can be busy and stressful. Sound familiar? If so, you may have an increased likelihood of developing headaches that become more frequent and severe. These chronic headaches are a good indication that your body needs attention. It could be related to a lack of quality sleep, nutritional challenges, or even postural issues that contribute to a vicious cycle of daily headaches.
Daily headaches are a signal from your body that something needs to change. While researchers have struggled to place an exact cause on every type of headache, they have discovered various risk factors that can lead to chronic headaches. Depending on the foods you eat, the stress in your life, and how you move your body and spine can either increase or decrease the likelihood of experiencing headaches.
Researchers have discovered a close link between what you eat, your stress, and hormone levels and how that can impact your chances of developing chronic headaches. A balanced diet, consistent sleeping patterns, and chiropractic care have all been shown to decrease the likelihood of developing chronic headaches.
Types of Headaches
Tension Headaches
Tension headaches are one of the most common headaches people experience. They are often described as a dull, aching pain that feels like a tight band around the head. Stress, poor posture, and muscle tension in the neck and shoulders can trigger tension headaches.
Migraine Headaches
A migraine is a headache that can cause severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, usually on one side of the head. Migraine headaches are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Migraine attacks can last for hours to days, and the pain can be so bad that it interferes with your daily activities.
For some people, a warning symptom known as an aura occurs before or with the migraine headaches. An aura can include visual disturbances, such as flashes of light or blind spots, or other disturbances, such as tingling on one side of the face or in an arm or leg and difficulty speaking.
Cluster Headaches
Cluster headaches are excruciatingly painful headaches that occur in clusters or cycles over weeks or months. They typically affect one side of the head and are often accompanied by eye redness, nasal congestion, or drooping eyelids. Although cluster headaches are rare, they can significantly impact a person's quality of life during an episode.
Cervicogenic Headaches
Your brain doesn't have any nerve fibers that transmit pain signals. Headaches are felt by the tissues that support your brain, head, and
neck. Cervicogenic headaches originate from problems in the neck or cervical spine region. These types of headaches can be caused by conditions such as whiplash injuries, degenerative disc disease, or cervical osteoarthritis. Symptoms may include pain at the base of the skull, neck stiffness, and limited range of motion.
Benefits of Chiropractic Treatment for Headaches
Chiropractic treatment for headaches offers a drug-free alternative to pain relief. Many over-the-counter and prescription medications used to treat headaches come with unwanted side effects or can be habit-forming. Chiropractic care provides a natural approach to managing headache symptoms without relying on medication.
Furthermore, chiropractic treatment addresses the most prevalent root cause of headaches rather than simply masking the pain. By correcting spinal misalignments or subluxations, chiropractors can provide long-term relief from headache symptoms.
Regular chiropractic care helps alleviate specific types of headaches and promotes overall spinal health. When aligned correctly, your spine supports optimal nervous system function, crucial in maintaining general health and well-being.
