Posts Tagged "Headache"

Chiropractic Care and Headaches

Posted by Dr. Wirtz on Apr 17, 2012 in Blog, Drug Free Treatment, Free Exam, Free Treatment, Health Tips | 0 comments

Headaches, we’ve all had them, and at times we’ve all struggled to get rid of them.  There are many different types of headaches, as well as many causes.  Types of common headaches include Migraines, which are debilitating and are usually brought on by some sort “trigger” like flashing lights, a certain smell, or a type of food (“triggers will vary from person to person).  Tension headaches are usually caused by a stiff neck and increased stress.  Cervicogenic headaches are specifically caused by dysfunctional structures within the neck.  There are also headaches that result from head trauma, such as from an athletic activity or a motor vehicle accident. Studies have shown that most (but not all) headaches do in fact share a relationship with the neck, most likely due to restricted function of the neck.

What can help?

- Chiropractic Care: Studies have also shown that chiropractic adjustments can be an effective form of treatment for certain types of headaches.
- Life Style Changes:  If stress is your “trigger” for tension or other types of headaches, try exercise, yoga, or other types of relaxing activities. They might help reduce your stress levels, and headaches.
- Hydration: Yes, this has become a common occurrence in our blogs, but we can not stress enough the importance of staying properly hydrated.  By drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day you can reduce the chances of becoming dehydrated and thus decrease the chances of suffering headaches.
- Diet: Sometimes, especially with migraine headaches, there can be a certain food that can trigger a headache.  Try to identify types of food that trigger your headaches and then try to avoid them as best you can.

It is very important for the chiropractor to do a thorough history and exam on a patient experiencing headaches, so that a proper diagnosis can be made. In some cases where headaches are “sudden and severe”, occur after trauma/injury, or cause nausea or vomiting, an immediate referral to the emergency room is required.  If you suffer from headaches come in for your free spinal exam and free chiropractic treatment to help you get on the road to wellness.

Chiropractic After an Accident

Posted by Dr. Heuser on Sep 16, 2011 in Auto Accident, Blog, Personal Injury | 1 comment

Some injuries sustained in an auto accident are hidden and can remain undetected for months or even years.  Even a minor accident can have major effects later.  If you are experiencing soreness and stiffness after an accident you should consider a thorough chiropractic exam.  Without proper treatment, later you may experience issues such as numbness and tingling, headaches, muscle stiffness or pain, or even arthritis.

No matter how small the impact of the accident seemed, your body may have absorbed significant force to shift the spine and restrict the normal function of the nervous system.  Most people do not know this, but speeds as low as 5 miles per hour can create enough force to cause spinal injuries.  Because many individuals in low impact collisions do not notice pain right away they do not seek treatment until pain begins.  There are injuries to the soft tissue (muscles, ligaments, and discs) that cannot be seen externally or felt at the time of the accident.  These injuries can heel with scar tissue causing aches and pains and decreased health weeks or even months later.

Visiting a chiropractor after an accident is an essential step in diagnosing any potential trauma.  Chiropractors can effectively treat whiplash and other neck injuries as well as back pain and soft tissue injuries.  Chiropractic treatments can loosen stiff muscles and pain associated with the accident.  Chiropractors can determine the amount of damage sustained in the accident and recommend a proper treatment plan that is necessary for a full recovery.

Symptoms of Spinal Injury Following an Auto Accident

Posted by fseblog on Jul 4, 2011 in Auto Accident, Blog, Drug Free Treatment, Free Exam, Free Treatment, Insurance, Personal Injury | 0 comments

Were you recently in a car accident? Are you unsure if you should seek further treatment?  Are you wondering what the long term effects of your accident may have on your spine and body?  Are you wondering what a chiropractor may be able to do to help?    If so here are a few things that may help you answer these questions and speed your recovery from any injuries you may have suffered.

Headaches and Chiropractic

Posted by Dr. Heuser on Jun 8, 2011 in Blog | 0 comments

Some estimates claim that one in six Americans suffers from chronic headaches. These headaches can range from mild discomfort to debilitating pain and nausea. Although there are many causes of headaches—including diet (e.g. caffeine), environmental factors (e.g. noise, light, heat), and behavioral factors (e.g. lack of sleep, strenuous exercise, stress)—most primary headaches are caused by tension in the neck.

Unfortunately, many of the activities of modern life lead to a rather sedentary lifestyle. Many of us spend large amounts of time in one position, both during work and leisure hours, at the desk or in front of the television. This can put a lot of strain on the joints in the neck and back, causing tension and leading to headaches. This tension can become chronic if it is prolonged or repeated, and so can the headaches associated with it. Here are some tips that you can use to help avoid tension-related headaches:

1)   When in a fixed position for any extended period of time (e.g. working at the computer or watching TV), get up to stretch every 30 minutes. Slowly roll your head around and stretch your neck in each direction.

2)   Low-impact exercise can be a great way to help avoid headaches. Try swimming, walking, or cycling.

3)   Stay hydrated. Dehydration can contribute to headaches.

4)   Don’t clench your teeth. This may sound strange, but your top and bottom teeth should really only touch when you swallow. Having your teeth clenched all the time tenses your jaw and causes stress in your neck

More severe cases may require further attention. Painkillers and other drugs may temporarily relieve the headache, but when you stop taking them, the pain returns. This is because painkillers do not treat the cause of the headaches. On top of that, these medications can have many side effects and be harmful to other parts of the body. For these reasons, Chiropractic is an attractive means of treating headaches. A chiropractor can often treat the problem causing your headaches, relieving tension in the neck or back through manipulations, trigger point therapy, massage, and other treatments. Chiropractors can also offer suggestions on improving posture and relaxing muscle tension. Chiropractic, unlike painkillers, has lasting effects, because it treats the cause of the pain, rather than just dulling the symptoms.