Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Headaches are certainly one of the most common maladies seen by chiropractors, and it's no wonder given the ever-increasing pace of modern life. Although they can and do vary quite a bit in their characteristics, they can generally be classified as being tension, migraine or cluster headaches. This brief article will examine these 3 types of headache and how a Raleigh chiropractic office can help.
Tension (aka stress) headaches are the most common form, and can last from an hour or so to several days. They are often described as a band of pain around the head or a dull ache on one or both sides of the head. They are often the result of muscular tension in the neck caused by stress or bad posture.
Migraine is a severe form of headache that affects huge numbers of people in the US. They can be deeply debilitating and often take the form of a painful throbbing in the head (sometimes accompanied by nausea). They can be short-lived, but in some cases can go on for days.
Cluster headaches on the other hand tend to be short-lived, but very painful. They tend to appear in clusters (hence the name) of 1 to 4 headaches per day, often over several days. They also often occur at night and tend to affect men most of all.
Headache sufferers of all types usually benefit from manipulation of the upper vertebrae of the neck. Misalignment in this part of the neck/spine are often a major contributing factor for many headaches. A chiropractor will often administer this technique as part of a broader plan of care that may involve other aspects.
In keeping with their holistic approach to care, a chiropractor will look at each patient's overall lifestyle and seek to identify any causal or aggravating factors for headache. They may advise on workplace ergonomics, correct posture and stress relief techniques. Possible triggers will also be looked at, such as environmental toxins, allergens and even emotional factors.
Tension (aka stress) headaches are the most common form, and can last from an hour or so to several days. They are often described as a band of pain around the head or a dull ache on one or both sides of the head. They are often the result of muscular tension in the neck caused by stress or bad posture.
Migraine is a severe form of headache that affects huge numbers of people in the US. They can be deeply debilitating and often take the form of a painful throbbing in the head (sometimes accompanied by nausea). They can be short-lived, but in some cases can go on for days.
Cluster headaches on the other hand tend to be short-lived, but very painful. They tend to appear in clusters (hence the name) of 1 to 4 headaches per day, often over several days. They also often occur at night and tend to affect men most of all.
Headache sufferers of all types usually benefit from manipulation of the upper vertebrae of the neck. Misalignment in this part of the neck/spine are often a major contributing factor for many headaches. A chiropractor will often administer this technique as part of a broader plan of care that may involve other aspects.
In keeping with their holistic approach to care, a chiropractor will look at each patient's overall lifestyle and seek to identify any causal or aggravating factors for headache. They may advise on workplace ergonomics, correct posture and stress relief techniques. Possible triggers will also be looked at, such as environmental toxins, allergens and even emotional factors.
About the Author:
You can get long-lasting migraine headache, spine and leg pain relief through chiropractic care. Get more information about a well-trained Raleigh chiropractic doctor at http://www.corrective-chiropractic.com now.
