Help a headache without pain killers

 

Headaches

 

Chiropractors provide care to people of all ages and a range of conditions, acute and chronic.

 

There are numerous reasons why you might suffer from headache and chiropractic may offer natural relief for children and adults who live with them. At any one time 15% of the population are experiencing head pain.

 

Migarine tends to be more intense headaches and can be associated with flashing lights or other visual disturbances. Migraines involve constriction and dilation of blood vessels of the brain. Often with a migraine you may prefer to lie down in a dark room.

 

Causes

Headaches and migraines are symptoms, signs that your body is not working well. Covering these symptoms with pain relieving medications may not remove the cause of your headache or migraine, but will add to your body’s level of toxins.

 

Chiropractic is a natural approach to health which focuses on the relationship between the spine and the nervous system. Chiropractic can be effective in headache management because it corrects impairments of the nervous system which often cause headaches.

 

Tension; If the nerves that cover your head and scalp, which exit between the upper segments of your spine, become irritated then headaches may result. The response from the rest of your body may be to tense up, not just in your neck or head but over the rest of your body as well.  This may result in pain at the back of your head which can then refer to the front of your head.  Similarly, a restriction or nerve interference in another part of your body eg lower back, may cause your muscles to compensate and tense throughout your body including your neck thus resulting in a headache.  In this way a dysfunction in many regions of your spine or body may cause head pain.

 

Toxic overload is another common cause of headaches and migraine. People who suffer from migraines typically have long lists of foods which they are sensitive to and avoid.  Common irritants include tea, coffee, chocolate, citrus fruits, diary products and certain alcoholic drinks.

 

Although you may find that a certain toxin triggers your migraine it may also be the list of things you ingested before the ultimate item that attributed to the migraine. It is worth remembering that although a toxin may trigger your migraine or headache, it is your nervous system that controls your tolerance to them. Nervous system interference may affect the nerve supply to your liver and kidneys, these organs clear the toxins from your body, if the is not functioning at its full potential your tolerance to sensitive foods may be further compromised.

 

Emotional stress may cause all sorts of different muscles in your body to tighten, neck, scalp and/or back.  Your toxic load may also be increased by the toxins stress produces.

 

Other causes of head pain such as tumours and infection are much more rare causes than those listed above. Your registered chiropractor is trained not only to detect the interference to your nervous system but also to identify any potential underlying problems.  Should one of these problems exist your chiropractor will refer you to the appropriate practitioner for this condition.

 

Subluxation, is a term chiropractors use to describe a functional, mechanical spinal issue. While many things can trigger a headache a subluxation is one of the most common causes.

 

The vertebral, or spinal subluxation involves abnormal changes in the function of a joint, this results in the nervous system not functioning as well as it should.  If the nerves to the muscles involved include those to the neck these muscle may tighten thereby inducing a headache.

 

In a recent study, “specific adjustments to the spine significantly reduced migraines in 71% of the people surveyed. The frequency, duration, severity and amount of medication all decreased markedly”* (To read more see attached pdf file)

 

Treatment

On your initial visit the chiropractor will ask you a detailed history with your headaches. For example, when did they first start, what time of day do they occur, does anything make them feel better,? Your past medical history will also be taken.

 

Based on your history a physical examination will be undertaken, this may include neurological, orthopaedic and spinal examination. Together with your history we will be able to determine the probable cause of your headache and whether chiropractic is appropriate for you.

 

Where chiropractic is appropriate and with your express permission, together we will establish a treatment plan. The chiropractor may also help you identify any factors such as food sensitivity, or stress which may be contributing to you headache.