Category: Headaches & Migraines

Headaches are one of those health issues that can be mild and irritating, severe and debilitating, or one of many degrees in between. They can build up slowly or come on suddenly, and no matter how bad it is, almost everyone wants a remedy as soon as possible. There are several different types of headaches that a Sterling chiropractor can treat, so it is important to make an appointment if you suffer from any of the following.

Tension Headaches

A tension headache is probably the most common type people experience. Some of the common characteristics of a tension headache include; a pressing or tightening feeling, bilateral location, mild to moderate intensity, pain lasting from 30 minutes to one week. Tension headaches don’t normally include nausea or vomiting, but they may include light or sound sensitivity.  The presence of tension headaches is not attributed to another health disorder.

Migraine Headaches

Migraine headaches aren’t as common as tension headaches and they are often mistaken for something else. Quite often, a sufferer will attribute any bad headache pain to a migraine, but this isn’t always the case. Migraine is a condition that can be described as a recurrent headache that lasts up to 72 hours, featuring unilateral pulsating pain of moderate to severe intensity. Migraine pain includes nausea and/or sensitivity to light, and it is often made worse with normal physical activity.

Approximately 20% of migraine sufferers will experience a neurological symptom known as an aura before they get a migraine. Auras take the form of visual disturbances or other sensory disturbances. Sometimes, auras occur between migraine headache attacks. Migraines aren’t typically associated with any other health issue.

Cluster Headaches

Cluster headaches are quite different from both tension headaches and migraines, occurring in only about 1% of the population. While most migraine sufferers are women, men between 20 and 40 are the main recipients of cluster headaches. This type of headache produces severe pain around the eyes or along the side of the head. Attacks usually last from 15 minutes up to 3 hours and have been known to occur 8 times in a single day. Tearing, forehead sweating, and nasal congestion may accompany cluster headaches. The intense pain makes some sufferers restless or agitated during the attack.

If you suffer from any of the above types of headaches and want a natural, non-invasive approach to ease your pain, a Sterling chiropractor will take the time to assess every aspect of your lifestyle, medical history, and body to find a permanent solution.

Contact our team today at Alternative Wellness Clinic to schedule an appointment or learn more.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Just about everyone in Sterling suffers from headaches once in awhile. Most of them don’t require any kind of medical attention and gradually subside with time. It is when a headache starts to interfere with your daily activities or takes them over completely that you need to seek professional attention. Follow these headache tips from a Sterling chiropractic office to find relief and stay one step ahead of the problem.

Why Does My Head Hurt?

There are a host of different “triggers” that may be causing your headaches. Some have to do with your lifestyle choices, some are due to an underlying health condition, some are genetic and some are postural. Some common headache triggers include specific foods, certain smells, bright lights, loud noises, obsessive exercise, changes in blood sugar, using an improper pillow at night, poor posture at work, or poor sleeping habits.

In roughly 95% of headache cases, the headache is not caused by an underlying health issue or disease. Most headaches are the result of muscle tension in your neck and/or upper back caused by spending long hours in one fixed position. This means virtually every headache can be treated by changing your habits and making an appointment with a Sterling chiropractor.

Help Yourself First

The most important headache tip you’ll receive from Sterling chiropractors is to take steps to help yourself. If you have a job that requires you to sit in a static position for several hours per day, force yourself to get up and move around every 30 minutes or so. It doesn’t have to be anything substantial. Even a walk around the office or light stretching will do, as long as you aren’t sitting.

If you are prone to getting dull throbbing headaches you’ll want to avoid engaging in heavy exercise until they are under control. You can still workout, just switch things up to include more low-impact activities. Clenching your teeth during exercise or any time is another thing to avoid because it causes stress to the joints in your jaw. Dehydration is always a big headache trigger so drink water throughout the day and keep yourself hydrated.

Visiting Your Chiropractor

If you find that your headaches persist, even after following the self-help tips, make an appointment with our Sterling chiropractic team at Alternative Wellness Clinic. Spinal adjustments are an effective treatment for headaches that originate in your neck or upper back. Once your misaligned vertebrae are back into position and normal function is restored your headache pain may subside.

At Alternative Wellness Clinic our team is here to help answer your questions.  Please feel free to contact us today.

When a severe migraine headache takes hold, it’s almost as if the rest of the world ceases to exist. The intensity of the pain makes many people lie in a darkened room and do little else. Working or looking after children is out of the question. It’s not even possible to hold a thought for more than a few seconds without the vice-like grip of the migraine taking over. Luckily, Sterling chiropractors are able to provide relief for migraines without drugs or any invasive procedures.

When someone gets into this state, they will do just about anything to escape. Even the strongest pain medication with the most undesirable side effects is welcomed if it eases the pain. People who routinely refuse prescription medication often change their tune when in the grips of a bad migraine headache.

Migraine Headaches

Many people tend to call any intense headache a migraine, but a true migraine sticks to some exact criteria. Typically, a migraine is less common than a tension headache, registering from moderate to severe on the pain intensity scale. It is a recurrent headache that lasts from between four hours to three days, and affects more females than males.

In order for someone to be considered a “migraine sufferer,” they must have at least five separate episodes that last for the prescribed time frames mentioned above. The headaches must also have at least two of the following characteristics: pulsating pain, unilateral location, nausea or vomiting, visual or auditory sensitivity, and aggravation of the headache by physical activity. Many migraine sufferers, roughly 20 percent, will see visual auras before a migraine headache comes on. This early warning system helps let them know what’s coming, but doesn’t lessen the intensity.

Chiropractic Treatment

If you seek migraine treatment from a Sterling chiropractor, you’ll be given a full assessment and evaluation to determine exactly what is going on with your head and your spinal column. You may require x-rays or other tests to paint a complete the most complete picture possible before any treatment begins.

Your chiropractor will likely perform spinal adjustments to relieve any pressure or stress that could be contributing to your migraine pain. Spinal adjustments can also improve blood flow and help reduce pain. If it’s been determined that you have nutritional triggers that are adding to your migraine intensity, your chiropractor may offer nutritional advice to remove those triggers. Advice on your posture and various relaxation techniques will also be part of the treatment plan.

At Alternative Wellness Clinic our team is here to help answer your questions.  Please feel free to contact us today.

Headaches are an unfortunate part of daily life for thousands and thousands of people. Some headaches only happen occasionally, some happen frequently, some are dull and throbbing and others are sharp and intense. Headaches have many different causes, but just about all of them cause some sort of disruption to your life. From a slight inability to concentrate, to lying in a darkened room completely motionless, headaches can have a wide range of effects. Most of the time, a chiropractor in Sterling will be able to ease your symptoms and help get your life back to normal when a headache strikes.

Common Triggers

Since there are several different types of headaches, it stands to reason that there are several triggers or causes that set them into motion. Some common triggers include bright lights, loud noises, certain foods, stress, blood sugar fluctuations, high blood pressure, exposure to chemicals, caffeine, neck tension, or spinal misalignment. Headaches that are caused by neck tension are some of the most common and are triggered by poor posture, certain repetitive motions, and other physical activities.

Headache Prevention Tips

A chiropractor in Sterling has the ability to relieve most headaches, but following some proven prevention tips will also allow you to help yourself. Try switching positions every 30 minutes or so, no matter what you are doing. If you must remain in a fixed position, gently stretch your neck every 30 minutes to avoid bringing on a tension headache.

You should avoid clenching your teeth throughout the day. Many people do this unconsciously, but it can lead to headaches, so it is best to stop if you are doing it. If your exercise routine seems to cause headaches, you might want to switch to something with less impact to see if it makes a difference. There are many effective ways to exercise so if you can find one that doesn’t give you a headache, go with it. Drinking water throughout the day also helps as dehydration is a known headache trigger.

Spinal Manipulation Can Help

Since the cervical spine and head are so closely related a chiropractors can use spinal manipulation to realign your vertebrae and reduce pressure that causes headaches. Many headaches are formed in the neck, and this type of treatment has been known to have positive results almost immediately. Other forms of headaches such as migraines may be a little more complex, but your chiropractor can still offer relief through customized chiropractic treatment. If you suffer from headaches and can’t seem to find permanent relief through conventional medicine, call our chiropractic team at Alternative Wellness Clinic today and schedule an appointment.