| You are not the only one who is suffering from | | | | · Some light exercise might help you |
| headache. 90% Americans suffer from | | | | relieve the pain which is associated with primary |
| headaches. They can be of many types - | | | | headache. But avoid heavy exercises if you are |
| Occasional, frequent, throbbing, some causing | | | | prone to dull & throbbing headache. Go for a |
| unbearable pain and nausea. | | | | walk or some light aerobics. |
| In case of a throbbing headache, what do you | | | | · Avoid teeth clenching except when |
| do? Do you carry on gritting your teeth? Do you | | | | swallowing. When the upper teeth touch the lower |
| just lie down suffering? Do you take a pill and | | | | ones, it causes stress at the temporomandibular |
| hope the pain subsides? We have a better | | | | joints (TMJ). TMJ is two joints connecting jaw to |
| alternative now. | | | | the skull. Stress at TMJ leads to irritation and |
| Chiropractic is a method of treatment that | | | | causes tension headache. |
| manipulates body structure especially the spine, to | | | | · Avoid dehydration which could lead to a |
| relieve lower back pain or even headache or high | | | | headache. Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. |
| blood pressure. Latest researches have shown | | | | In addition to above, ACA and its Council on |
| that spinal manipulation done in Chiropractic could | | | | Nutrition recommend that you should avoid |
| be an effective treatment for tension headaches | | | | following food triggers: |
| and the headaches originating in the neck. | | | | · Avoid the food and drinks that have |
| In 2001, a report was released by Duke | | | | high caffeine contents like chocolate, coffee and |
| University Evidence Based Practice Center in | | | | cocoa. Sodas have high level of stimulant. |
| Durham, NC after the research in this field. On the | | | | · Avoid foods or drinks with high salt or |
| basis of their research they found that spinal | | | | sugar content. These foods might trigger |
| manipulation have resulted in almost immediate | | | | migraines that result in over sensitivity to light, |
| improvement for headaches originating in neck. | | | | noise or even sudden movements. |
| Not only that, it had considerably lower side | | | | · Avoid drinks with high alcoholic contents, |
| effects and long lasting relief in cases of tension | | | | these drinks lead to dehydration which causes |
| type headaches in comparison to prescribed | | | | headache. |
| medication. | | | | · Even high protein foods- dairy products |
| Also, a 1995 study published in Journal of | | | | or red meat might also be avoided in case of |
| Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found | | | | headache. |
| that spinal manipulative therapy is an effective | | | | How can a Doctor of Chiropractic help? |
| treatment for tension headaches and those | | | | Chiropractic care can help you in getting sustained |
| patients who took four weeks of chiropractic | | | | relief from primary headache through one or |
| treatment had continued relief in comparison to | | | | more of the following treatments: |
| those who only had generally prescribed medicines | | | | · Perform Chiropractic adjustments or |
| for headaches. | | | | spinal manipulation to improve your spinal function |
| Headache Triggers | | | | and ease the stress on your system. |
| You need to first understand what your headache | | | | · Provide you nutritional advice; |
| trigger is or what is causing the headache. It could | | | | recommend a change in your diet or additional |
| be due to food, environment (like hot weather, | | | | vitamin requirement. |
| noise, bright sunlight) or could be due to the | | | | · Advice you on ergonomics (postures |
| stress you are going through. Even your lack of | | | | and movements), exercises and relaxation |
| sleep, excessive fatigue or blood sugar level can | | | | techniques to improve your health, performance |
| cause a headache. Research has shown that | | | | and comfort. This advice will help you to get relief |
| around 5% headaches are caused by physical | | | | from recurring joint irritation and stiffness in the |
| problems. The major part, remaining 95% are | | | | neck and upper back muscles. |
| termed as primary headaches which are caused | | | | Chiropractors are highly qualified and experienced |
| by Migraine or tension. | | | | to help patient in not just back pain or headache - |
| What Can You Do? | | | | but many ways. |
| · Don't spend too much time in a fixed | | | | There is a possibility that your headache is |
| position like sitting in front of a computer looking | | | | indicative of any health problem that needs care |
| at the monitor, working on a sewing machine, | | | | of another discipline. In such a case your doctor |
| typing, and reading. Stretch yourself in every 30 | | | | of chiropractic will refer you to an appropriate |
| minutes to one hour. Stretching will help relieve | | | | specialist accordingly. |
| the head and neck muscle. | | | | |