Frequent Headaches?

Millions of Americans needlessly suffer from frequent and recurring headaches. These headaches vary in intensity from a nagging ache to a full blown migraine that forces victims to hide in quiet, dark places. Those who suffer from headaches don't need to be told how difficult headaches can make life in general. The good news is that headaches are easily treated by Chiropractors. And millions around the world have discovered or are discovering that your local chiropractor is not just a lower back doctor. Headaches are usually a SYMPTOM of an underlying problem and not the problem itself. Simply stated, that is why over the counter drugs only provide TEMPORARY relief. Here is some basic information relating to headaches you might be interested in.

-Tension Headaches -

Tension headaches usually begin to effect people between the ages of 20 and 40 years of age, and are DEFINITELY stress related. The symptoms include; tight muscles in the neck and shoulders that can last for hours or days at a time, a stiff neck that only seems comfortable in one position, a feeling like a tight band around your head like a hat that is too tight, and a constant ache in the back of the head temples and forehead. These headaches are often a direct result of a misalignment of the bones in the upper portions of the neck. Chiropractic patients have known for years that they can get lasting relief from headaches with just a few adjustments and some light muscle work on their neck and upper back.

 -Migraines-

Migraine headaches are a little more complex and have a number of different varieties. Although they are all related to changes in the blood flow to and from the brain itself, and are described as a VASCULAR headache. Three times more women than men seem to suffer from migraines. In total it is estimated that 29.5 million Americans suffer from this debilitating form of headache. Seventy percent of migraines occur on only one side of the head and can last for up to a week at a time. Some of the symptoms of migraines are; throbbing/pulsing pains on one side of the head, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to sound and light, and vertigo. Often migraines cause visual changes such as spots, tunnel vision, wavy lines, and visual or auditory hallucinations. These symptoms usually fade as the full blown throbbing headache starts. It is widely debated exactly how the Chiropractic adjustment helps migraine sufferers but evidence clearly shows that migraine sufferers receive rapid lasting relief with Chiropractic adjustments.

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 -Rebound Headaches-

A rebound headache is a direct result of the self inflicted OVERMEDICATION, that we force on ourselves to control headaches. Overuse of over the counter medications or prescription medications will cause a "rebound" from the original headache into a new headache. This is particularly true if the medication contains caffeine, which is included to speed the effectiveness of the other ingredients. Drinking coffee, soft drinks, or tea makes you that much more vulnerable to a rebound headache. All of a sudden you are having a handful of headaches each week, the medication seems to work, so you start to use them more frequently and in larger doses than the container recommends to achieve the same pain relief. Then you begin to take the medications PROactively to prevent a headache you MIGHT possibly get. If you stop taking the medications the rebound headaches will be even WORSE than the original headache!

As stated before, headaches are often a SYMPTOM of an underlying problem. Just as shooting pains or numbness in your leg are a SYMPTOM of low back dysfunction, and pains or numbness in your arm and hand are a SYMPTOM of neck dysfunction. If you are tired of fighting SYMPTOMS and are ready to address the underlying issues give Southern Spinal Rehab, LLC a call and we will be happy to help. After all, the only thing you have to lose is a daily dose of pills and a constant nagging headache!

At Southern Spinal Rehab, LLC we believe that an educated patient is a happy patient. If you know of others that may benefit from this information please share it with them. If this appears to be what you or someone close to you suffers with please call and make an appointment at 850-475-HAAS (4227). The greatest compliment you can give to a physician is the referral of friends and family.