Headaches
and migraines affect adults and children alike. Many people simply
opt to rest or take over-the-counter medications during each episode.
Some even resort to strong prescription drugs to dull the pain.
A
more natural option would be chiropraactic care, which can be
beneficial in reducing headache symptoms and even improve the
patient’s sleep and overall mood (as seen in some pediatric
studies). Additionally, a doctor of chiropractic may help the patient
prevent triggers and manage the pain through simple lifestyle
changes.
Here
are some of the possible recommendations from a chiropractor in
Vancouver, WA for headaches or migraines:
-
Spinal Manipulation – Adjustments may be done on the neck and upper part of the spine (the cervical spine), which are almost always the sites of joint irritation, muscle tension, subluxations, or displacements that produce the painful symptoms.
-
Posture Modifications – Spending too much time in one position (e.g. sitting in front of a computer) in a poor posture may contribute to headaches. A chiropractor can impart valuable advice on ergonomics and rest, as well as simple range-of-motion exercises that reduce the risk factors.
-
Exercise and Diet changes – Engaging in the right kind of exercise (e.g. low-impact exercises for primary headaches, light exercises for migraines) and improving one’s diet (by means of adequate water intake to prevent dehydration as well as intake of vitamin B-complex as a preventive measure) should also keep headache triggers at bay.
