If you are like many people, headaches are a leading cause of medication use, missed work days, and are not fun. So why do you get them? Well there are many reasons / causes and I will try to address many of them. First you have to understand that headaches are not a problem, but a symptom of a problem. If I hit you over the head with a 2×4, it will cause a headache, but the problem was being hit in the head with a sturdy piece of wood. Here is a list of many causes and some obvious and not so obvious solutions:
1. Poor diet:
This is often a major factor seen in practice, even though people “think” they are eating well. For example, diet soda, gum, certain drinks, protein powders and workout supplements contain Aspartame, or Sucralose. Both are artificial sweeteners linked to neurological issues including headaches.
Being dehydrated, or blood sugar issues from poor diet can lead to headaches.
2. TMJ and Cranial Subluxations:
If your jaw does not open, or close right, clicks and pops, or tracks to one side, you may have a TMJ problem, that can affect the skull causing an imbalance, or tension that can lead to headaches. Having a chiropractor who can adjust and balance the cranium and jaw, can alleviate these issues.
3. Computers and Texting:
These days most people spend hours a day at a computer or on a tablet or phone. This forward and down head position puts high amounts of strain on the neck, and upper back leading to forward head posture, muscle soreness, neck pain, back pain, and headaches to name a few. Regular stretching, good ergonomics, exercising, and chiropractic adjustments can help reduce all the negative effects of daily habits, including headaches. Here is a video to help: https://youtu.be/ul5H5wxqBXE
4. Eyes:
If your vision is off, this too can affect your head causing headaches, and can be remedied with glasses or contact lenses.
5. Sleeping positions:
People who sleep on their stomachs, sides or back are all vulnerable to neck, shoulder and headache related issues if… their pillows are too thin or thick, they toss and turn too much, their mattress is too old, too firm, or too soft. While there is no “right way” to sleep, here is a link to my sleeping videos to give you some pointers. https://youtu.be/xjnSdi5wEDc
6. Spinal alignment:
If your spine is not aligned right (subluxated) nerves can be pinched, muscles will spasm, and symptoms like headaches can occur. A great solution is to see a chiropractor who can identify your problem, and come up with a program or solution to correct it. There are many ways to adjust the spine, and we use techniques that are gentle and effective to eliminate your pains. Here is a link to the techniques we use… http://www.phandwc.com/techniques/
7. Car accidents:
After a jarring accident often occurring in a car accident, muscles, ligaments and tendons, can be stretched or torn, causing headaches in addition to the usual neck pain. Left untreated, whiplash related neck pain and stiffness often arise later down the road as well as headaches. Sometimes these headaches do not show up for years and then are not connected to an accident, but are a result of one. This is why it is extremely important to be checked by a chiropractor as soon as possible after an accident. In Florida, the law states you must be seen within 14 days of a accident to maintain proper coverage for your injuries. Click here to learn more… http://www.phandwc.com/car-accidents/
Hopefully you are now learning what and how you can overcome your headaches. We are here to help you, all you have to do is call us to schedule an appointment. (954) 340-7545