If you are suffering from a headache, know that you are not the only one. Were you aware that 9 out of 10 Americans are suffering from the same problem? There are occasional cases, frequent ones, throbbing and dull and even cases when the pain is extreme and nauseating. So what are your actions to stop the headache? Do you try not to notice it? Perhaps you prefer to lie down? Take a pill and hope for the best? Well, there is a better option.
The official scientific research indicates that spinal treatment (which is key in chiropractic practice) is a very efficient remedy against headaches, which originate in the neck. The Duke University Evidence-Based Practice Center in Durham, NC, released a report back in 2001, which proves that headaches originate in the neck and can be dealt with through spinal manipulations that have fewer side effects and provide a longer relief than any prescribed remedies combined.
In addition, a 1995 study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics discovered that spinal manipulations are extremely beneficial for the headaches and even people, who stopped the chiropractic treatment after a month, were experiencing great benefits in contrast to patients, who were receiving prescribed remedies.
Causes of headaches
Headaches can be triggered by a number of factors, including stress, light, noises, food, excessive exercise, insomnia, changes in blood sugar and so on. Nearly five percent of all headaches are warning signals that originate from the physical issues.
95% of all headaches are general headaches, including migraines and tension or cluster type of headaches. These are not caused by diseases. The headaches are the main concern here.
Dr. George B. McClelland, a professor of chiropractic from Christiansburg, VA states that “Greatest majority of primary headaches are associated with muscle tension in the neck,” he then adds that “Today, Americans engage in more sedentary activities than they used to, and more hours are spent in one fixed position or posture. This can increase joint irritation and muscle tension in the neck, upper back and scalp, causing your head to ache.”
What actions should you perform?
The following steps are recommended by the ACA:
- If you are spending a lot of time in a single fixed position, in front of your PC for example, reading or typing, take breaks every half an hour or every hour. Stretching can be very helpful and will take your neck and head through the comfortable range of motions.
- Certain exercises with low impact can help in relieving the pain that comes with primary headaches. Still, if you are prone to throbbing, dull headaches, try and avoid such exercises. Try walking and low-impact aerobic exercises.
- Do not clench your teeth. The upper teeth are not supposed to touch the lower ones, except for time when you swallow. This is stressing the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) – the two joints that connect your jaw to your skull, which then leads to TMJ being irritated as well as a form of tense headaches.
Have more questions about headaches and the treatment? Contact Los Angeles chiropractor now!