Splitting Headache?

Don't Let It Get You Down

Nine out of ten Americans suffer from headaches. Some are frequent, some occasional, some are dull and throbbing. Some cause debilitating pain and nausea.

If you get headaches, what do you do when the pain begins? Grit your teeth and carry on? Gulp a pill and hope the pain goes away?

There is a better alternative. You chiropractor may be able to help!

Headaches have many causes. One is diet-for instance, too much chocolate, or MSG may be the culprit. Another cause may be disease. About five percent of headaches are warning signals caused by physical problems.

Ninety-five percent of headaches are tension, migraine or cluster headaches. These are called primary headaches because they are not caused by disease. The headache itself is the primary concern.

"Most primary headaches are associated with muscle tension in the scalp or neck. This can happen after long periods in front of your computer," states Michigan Chiropractic Society Technology Chair, Dr. Dan Spencer. "In fact, because of the decrease in regular exercise, and the increase in sedentary activity which comes with an increasingly computer-oriented world, more people than ever are experiencing headache problems."

What Can You Do?

Your doctor of chiropractic, who is an expert in spinal health and the human nervous system, can help. Their training encompasses far more than just treating back pain. Chiropractors are trained in body mechanics, and how tension in the spine relates to problems in other parts of the body.

Before you go to your chiropractor, note any changes in your habits and activities that may play a role in causing headaches. Your chiropractor will help you determine possible causes, and work to eliminate them.

If your chiropractor determines that your headaches are primary headaches, he or she may:

• Perform a spinal adjustment to loosen the muscles and alleviate the stress in your system.
• Provide nutritional advice, recommending a change in diet and perhaps the addition of B complex vitamins.
• Offer advice on posture, exercises and relaxation techniques.

"With primary headaches, the key is to reduce the tension in the muscles in the upper back and neck," concludes Dr. Spencer.

He offers these steps for self-defense against future headaches:

• Determine what may be triggering your headaches, and take steps to avoid those situations.
• Exercise regularly, not only as a method of relaxing, but to help increase blood levels of endorphins, the body's natural pain killers.
• Eat and sleep regularly at approximately the same time each day.
• Avoid over-the-counter pain relievers. Not only are they associated with adverse side effects with long-term use; they can also result in rebound headaches.

For more information, ask your chiropractor, or contact the Michigan Chiropractic Society, 820 N. Capitol, Suite 2, Lansing, Michigan 48906, or call (517) 367-2225.

Some information for this article provided by the American Chiropractic Association and the FCER publication, Staying Well.

Fast Facts

Calcium: Half of Americans are not getting enough calcium, reports a federal committee assembled by the National Institute of Health. A deficiency of calcium can lead to several conditions including osteoporosis, high blood pressure, chest pain, muscle cramps and irritability.

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