Chiropractic Care and Headaches

Chiropractic Care and Headaches

Do you suffer from constant or severe headaches?  If so, you may do what most Americans do.  That is simply just reach for the medicine cabinet.  Yes, most over-the-counter products can relieve headache pains, but that relief is short-lived.  Instead of masking the pain with over-the-counter products, seek a proper diagnosis and long-term relief.  You can do so with chiropractic care.

What is chiropractic care?  It is a field of medicine.  Some classify it as alternative medicine.  It all depends on who you ask and their openness towards the subject.  Traditional physicians rely on their knowledge, medical tools, and medication to treat pain.  Chiropractors focus on manual therapy.  The hands and usually the hands alone provide it.  Common treatments offered by chiropractors include therapeutic massages and manipulative realignments.

Doesn't a chiropractor only specialize in back pains?  This is a common misconception.  Chiropractors tend to focus on the spine, but you may be surprised how many ways the spine and its condition impacts our body.  Many chiropractors have years of experience helping patients diagnose, treat, and manage all types of pain, including headache pain.

Why should you see a chiropractor if you suffer from severe or constant headaches?  Headaches have many causes.  Daily stress cause most, but there may be a more serious underlying problem.  For example, those who have chronic muscle contractions may experience a spinal distortion, a cause of headaches.  Car accident victims commonly suffer from whiplash.  If improperly treated, this can also lead to headaches.  Without treatment, the pain will continue and it may get worse overtime.

How does chiropractic care help headaches?  It all depends on their cause.  If everyday stress is to blame, a chiropractor may suggest relaxing exercises at home or regular in-office therapeutic massages.  If headaches are caused by spinal distortion, a vertebrae alignment may be performed.  This alleviates the pressure from nerves, which should reduce headache pain and frequency.

Will the headaches stop after seeking chiropractic care?  Yes and no.  First, it is important to remember that headaches are caused by many factors.  If your cause is due to spinal distortion, vertebrae realignment will help.  This will reduce the frequency of headaches caused by this specific problem.  But, you may get another headache from just having a bad day at work.  You and your chiropractor will work together to achieve long-term pain relief.  In addition to therapeutic massages, trigger factors will be discussed.  You will later need to avoid these triggers.

What should you ask your chiropractor after treatment?  Many patients mistakenly believe they are treated and no longer need to seek treatment.  Chiropractic care does not mean long-term care.  Before parting ways, however, pick your chiropractorís brain for suggestions to later prevent headache pain or lessens the severity.  As previously stated, trigger factors need to be eliminated.  Not only that, proper posture is important.  This is a chiropractorís specialty.  Ask them about natural ways to prevent pain, including relaxation and proper posture.

In short, headaches have many causes.  Daily stress is not the only cause.  Don't mask the pain.  See what you can do to get long-term and long-lasting relief.  So, the next time you get a severe, long-lasting, or recurring headache, donít head to the medicine cabinet. Instead, head to your local phone book.  Find the contact information for a local chiropractic care specialist and see what they can do for you.



Dr. Kip  Rode