subject: Headache Treatment [print this page] Headache Treatment Headache Treatment
Headaches are among the most common problems facing Orange County residents. In fact 45 million Americans suffer headaches each year. Women comprise 20 million of the total.
There are many causes of headaches:
Muscle tension
Stress
Posture
Spinal misalignment
Car accident injuries (Whiplash)
High blood pressure
Infection
Dehydration
Sinus infection
Depression
Blood vessel problems
Tumors
Food allergies
Headache Diagnosis
Before any headache relief treatment can be implemented, a careful and accurate diagnosis must be made. Many headache sufferers are left with chronic head pain because their headache treatments are not appropriate for the underlying cause.
So step number one in headache relief is being properly evaluated to determine what type of headache you suffer from.
In order to get to the bottom of your headache problem the following should be completed if not already:
Headache Questionnaire
Physical Examination including blood pressure check
Neck x-rays
Laboratory work
Eye examination
Your doctor should then go over the results with you to arrive at a diagnosis. Once the correct diagnosis is made, then appropriate and effective headache treatment can begin.
Headache Treatment
The type of treatment required obviously depends on the underlying cause of your headaches. The most common type of headaches, "tension headaches" which are said to comprise about 80% of all headaches, respond favorably to chiropractic treatment.
Chiropractic treatment of headaches involves locating spinal misalignments or postural problems that may be causing your headaches. It's important to know that your chiropractor is seeking to correct the underlying cause not merely cover it up like medications do. Once the misalignments are found, chiropractic adjustments (gentle movements with the hand on your spine) will begin as well as therapy such as heat or ice, electrical stimulation, cold laser therapy and massage. You my also be given exercises to do at home.
Headaches are a problem affecting millions every day. Luckily, you have learned that most headaches are caused by muscle tension or spinal misalignment and that those headaches respond well to chiropractic treatment. Therefore if you are suffering from headaches, you owe it to yourself to get checked by a chiropractor specializing in headaches right away.
