What is a Chiropractor exactly? It all depends on who you ask and their openness towards the subject. Some people consider Chiropractic as an alternative medicine. Some consider it a form of medicine, and go to their Chiropractors as their primary care doctors. Traditional physicians rely on their knowledge, medical tools, and medication to treat pain. Doctors of Chiropractic focus on manual therapy, physical therapies and rehab, and various electrical therapies like, electric muscle stimulation, therapeutic ultrasound, cold laser therapy. But the hands are what are generally used as the primary treatment mode. Common treatments offered by chiropractors include therapeutic massages and manipulative realignments. Some Chiropractors, such as myself, also specialize in Acupunture treatment. Many times after diagnosing the problem, I use Acupuncture along with Chiropractic and therapeutic massage to help people rid themselves of their headaches.
Don't Chiropractors specialize mostly in back and neck pain? This is a common misconception many have. Chiropractors tend to focus on the spine, but most chiropractors have experience in treating many things not related to the spine, like legs, feet, hands, and arms to name a few, but you may be surprised how many ways the spine and its condition impacts our body. Many chiropractors have years of experience helping patients diagnose, treat, and manage all types of pain, including headache pain, migraines and cervicalgia, which is a type of headache related to neck problems.
Why should you see a chiropractor if you suffer from severe or constant headaches? Headaches have many causes. Daily stress cause most, but there may be a more serious underlying problem. For example, those who have chronic muscle contractions may experience a spinal distortion, a cause of headaches. Car accident victims commonly suffer from whiplash. If improperly treated, this can also lead to headaches. Without treatment, the pain will continue and it may get worse overtime.
How does chiropractic care help headaches? It all depends on their cause. If headaches are caused by spinal distortion, a vertebrae alignment may be performed. This alleviates the pressure from nerves, which should reduce headache pain and frequency. The chiropractor then will make gentle adjustments to the spine with his hands or using an electric adjustment tool. If everyday stress or work related stress is to blame, a chiropractor may suggest relaxing exercises at home or regular in-office therapeutic massages sometimes along with Chiropractic adjustments of the spine.
Sometimes, your headaches my go away after Chiropractic care. Sometimes it may take a while, and you will notice a decrease in the frequency and/or the duration of your headaches. It depends on all the factors involved in the cause of your headaches. Sometimes there can be more than factor. If the cause for you is due to spinal fixation, Chiropractic adjustments of the vertebrae will likely help. But, you may still get headaches from having a stressful day at work or home. You and your Chiropractor physician will have to work together to figure out what your stressors are to help you achieve long-term pain relief.
What should you discuss with your Chiropractic physician during and after your treatment progam? You should ask your Chiropractor for suggestions to help prevent headache pain after care. If your headache is caused by spinal fixation, your Chiropractor will likely suggest that you come in regularly, perhaps once a month for maintenance care. If it is due to stress, then trigger factors need to be eliminated. Perhaps there is something in your diet that is a factor. Or there is an ergonomic issue with your work station. Proper posture is very important in reducing the physical stress on your spine, muscles and extremities. This is a chiropractor’s specialty. Ask them about other natural ways that can help prevent pain, and headaches, including relaxation techniques. They may even suggest taking more frequent walks, or yoga, or supplements that you may not be getting in your diet
In short, headaches can and do have many causes. Daily stress is not the only factor. There is no need to simply mask the pain. It can be very important to diagnose and treat the cause. You should see what you can do to get long-term and long-lasting relief. So, the next time you have a bad headache, or if you have a headache that constantly comes back or is always in the back ground, you don’t have to head to the medicine cabinet. Instead, get on the internet or ask a friend or co-worker if they see a Chiropractor they trust, make an appointment, and see what they can do for you.
Sincerely,
Dr. Mark Young