I get headaches several times a week and a friend told me that
chiropractic could help. Is that true?
Many headache sufferers find relief after beginning chiropractic care.
Chiropractic works with the nervous system and the nervous system runs everything in your body. When your body has subluxations, or misalignments in your spine, your nervous system doesn’t work right. And when your nervous system doesn’t work right, you’re not healthy.
By removing subluxations, the body begins to function like it should.
Headaches have many different causes. When getting checked, your chiropractor or medical provider should rule out serious causes of your symptoms before continuing with care.
In addition to finding out if chiropractic care can help, there are steps that you can take to help reduce the frequency of headaches.
- Dehydration can cause headaches. Your body is mostly water and when you don’t replenish it daily your body can’t work as well. A good rule of thumb is to take your weight divide it by two and drink that number of ounces daily.
- Posture can be a part of your frequent headaches. At work, make sure you are not looking down or up at your computer. The small muscles at the base of your skull become tight and send pain into your head when your head is tilted for long periods of time. When you are driving, relax your head against the headrest. Many people sit with their head in a forward position. This creates more work for the muscles in your neck that are already tight.
- Medications often have “headaches” listed as side effects. If you are on one or more prescriptions, or over-the-counter drugs, check the side effects listed. If headaches are a side effect, check with your provider to see if there is a better fit for you through another drug. Discuss the risks and benefits of each.
- Exercise can alleviate headaches. Get moving and this will help relax tight muscles, increase blood flow, and increase the natural pain killers in your body.
- Sleeping in an awkward position can create stress on the neck muscles, the same way bad posture does. Sleep on your back or side. When you sleep on your stomach, your head is turned to the side and this creates stress on the muscles and joints of the neck. When sleeping, your head should be positioned over your shoulders just as it is when you are standing. If your pillow is too thin or too thick, regardless of the position you’re sleeping in, there can be pulling and tightening of your neck muscles. A good quality pillow can not only reduce muscle pulling, but you’ll get a better night sleep. When you sleep, your body heals and restores itself. Without quality sleep, you can’t be the best you possible.
PS - If you’re suffering with headaches, why not give Chiropractic a try?
It might just be the answer to improving your quality of life.
Yost Family Chiropractic, 8521 Hickman Rd, Urbandale, IA 50322
278-YOST
www.YostFamilyChiropractic.com