Got a Headache? How Your Chiropractor Can Help

It’s been a long, stressful day at work, and it’s not over yet. You’ve got a lot on your plate, and you’re not sure you can deliver on the tight deadline your boss has given you. As you continue plugging away at the computer and trying to focus, you feel a dull ache start to envelop your head. Does this sound familiar?

About nine out of ten people experience headaches on a regular basis, but it doesn’t have to be this way! There’s another solution to headaches that doesn’t involve medication or sequestering yourself in a dark room. Read on to learn how your chiropractor can help you reduce the intensity and frequency of your tension headaches.

What Are Tension Headaches?

It is estimated that about 75 percent of the headaches suffered are tension headaches, which usually begin slowly and escalate. In many cases, tension headaches feel as if a band is wrapped around the head or behind the eyes as a dull ache. This pain can last for as little as 30 minutes or a few days and can become chronic. Although tension headaches don’t usually cause nausea or vomiting, they can be severe at times.

What Triggers Tension Headaches?

While some headaches, such as migraines, have to do with the blood vessels in the brain, tension headaches often occur as a result of subluxations of the upper spine. Subluxations are misaligned vertebrae that put pressure on the nerves along the spine, and these are usually caused by an injury or by holding the head in an unhealthy position.

If you really sit and think about it, your head is an incredibly important, heavy weight that is supported by the upper back and neck muscles. If it is positioned forward in bad posture for prolonged periods of time (to look at a computer screen, for instance), these muscles can endure a lot of stress and strain. The more the stress put on these muscles, the more neck pain and headaches you’re likely to experience.

How Can a Chiropractor Help with Headaches?

Although you could take over-the-counter pain medication or lie down to try to suffer through your headaches, there may be more you can do to overcome this problem. Your chiropractor can address the muscular and alignment issues that contribute to tension headaches through regular adjustments. They can also teach you how to sit or stand with healthy posture so that you can potentially avoid headaches in the future.

Tension headaches don’t have to rule your life or be debilitating. When you address the cause of the problem with a qualified professional like your chiropractor, you can lessen your headaches and have a higher quality of life. That way, you can better focus on meeting your deadlines at work!

About the Author

Dr. Chad Wills has been practicing chiropractic for more than 20 years. He is certified in Chiropractic Biophysics, one of the most well-researched protocols in chiropractic care. At Wills Chiropractic, he puts each patient’s needs first, adapting treatment accordingly. If you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Wills or if you have questions about headaches, you can contact him through the website or by calling 239-331-6060.