Chiropractic Care for Headaches - Hosmer Chiropractic Health

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Headaches are a frustrating reality for 50% of the population each year, and are one of the most common causes of missed work.? They frequently interfere with sleep, family life, sports and leisure activities. Some of the more common types include:

• Tension Headache ? these are headaches caused by spasm in the muscles around the head and neck, which creates tension on the Dural Sheath (a thin layer, like cellophane, around your brain).
• Migraine Headache ? these are associated with the nerves and blood vessels of the head and neck.?
• Cervicogenic Headache ? nerves in the neck vertebra causing headaches
• Sinus Headache ? congestion in the sinuses causing pressure in the head.

Causes of Headaches

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Some of the common causes of headaches include: tight muscles, stress, prolonged computer work, weak posture, poor ergonomics, studying, car accidents, muscle imbalances, poor motion in the joints, food sensitivities, vascular and neurological conditions, and many more.? Most headaches are benign and respond well to chiropractic care.? However, due to the potential complexity of determining the cause of headache symptoms, it is always best to seek treatment with a health care professional familiar with all the different kinds of headaches. The doctors at Hosmer Chiropractic Health can help determine the cause of headache symptoms, and help you decide if chiropractic care for your headaches is the right choice.

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Symptoms

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Headaches frequently begin as pressure or aching at the back of the head, and may radiate forward towards the eyes.? There may be light or sound sensitivity, and the intensity of the headache frequently increases as the day progresses.? Headaches can be severe with sharp, stabbing, or throbbing pain and can be accompanied by dizziness, nausea, vision changes and a variety of other unpleasant symptoms.? Many people also experience tenderness in the muscles of the neck and shoulders, stiffness when looking over your shoulders, and feeling like your neck needs to ?pop?. These are all indicators that you may need to see a chiropractor to evaluate the cause of your headache.

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Evaluation

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While many medical doctors will listen to the symptoms and provide medications that temporarily relieve pain, chiropractic for headaches includes a thorough examination of the muscles, ligaments, joints and posture, as well as discussing past injuries and lifestyle habits that may be contributing to your condition.? The chiropractors at Hosmer Chiropractic Health also have specialty training in complex joint and soft tissue problems that may cause headaches. ??

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Treatment

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Chiropractic care for headache relief generally includes several techniques, each chosen to relieve specific causes of headaches.? Chiropractic treatment has been studied as one of the most effective methods of treating many different kinds of headaches. At Hosmer Chiropractic Health our treatment for headaches incorporates:

??????? Chiropractic Adjustments: Gentle, controlled, and directed adjustments delivered to your spinal joints and tissues to restore optimal movement and function. This technique is proven particularly effective for headaches caused by neck muscle tightness and migraine headaches.

??????? Myofascial Release (MFR): Many headaches are associated with overly tight and over worked muscles in the head, neck and upper back. ?MFR works with the muscles and the soft tissues between the muscles to relax them and optimize their function. This treatment has been found to be particularly effective for tension type headaches, migraines and sinus headaches.? Similar to massage, MFR is a more focused and deep treatment of the soft tissues to relieve pain and restore movement.

??????? Active Release Technique (ART): This is a very targeted treatment of specific regions in the muscles and other soft tissues to release scar tissue, and impure muscle function.? This can also ease nerve compression, directly relieving headaches.

??????? Rehabilitation: Teaching you methods to help prevent your headaches in the future! Rehabilitation incorporates stretches, exercises and foam rolling, which can be performed in the comfort of your own home or at your work place.

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Things you can do to help prevent Headaches

• When you work on a computer, set the screen at eye level.
• Take micro breaks at least every hour to move your head, neck and upper back.
• Avoid processed food with colors, dyes, preservatives, nitrites and nitrates.
• Exercise 3-5 times per week with a combination of cardiovascular, flexibility and strength training.
• Manage stress levels.
• Maintain adequate hydration.
• Schedule an appointment at Hosmer Chiropractic Health if you frequently suffer from headaches and are interested in finding out whether you are a candidate for chiropractic care for headaches.

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Evidence

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The evidence is piling up that seeing a chiropractor for headaches is one of the best options.? A recent study by?Duke University Evidence-Based PracticeCenter?found chiropractic care for headaches to be an immediate and effective treatment in helping tension and cervicogenic headaches with fewer side effects than current medications (Evidence Report: Behavioral and Physical Treatments for Tension-Type and Cervicogenic Headaches).

According to a recent review in the Journal of Manipulative and Therapeutic Physiology:Evidence suggests that chiropractic care, including spinal manipulation, improves migraine and cervicogenic headaches? (Journal of Manipulative & Physiological Therapeutics, 2011)

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References

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??????? McCrory DC, et al. "Evidence Report: Behavioral and Physical Treatments for Tension-type and Cervicogenic Headache." Duke University Evidence-Based Practice Center, Durham, North Carolina, January 2001. Retrieved from: http://www.masschiro.org/upload/research/16_0.pdf

Source: http://hosmerchiropractic.com/blog/?p=1314

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