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Courtesy of Petr Kratochvil
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When it comes to pain, many people wait till it’s excruciating before they try to do anything about it. They think, or hope, that if they wait long enough, whatever is causing the pain will get better on its own. I won’t deny that this approach works sometimes.
On the other hand, there are many
conditions involving pain that do not, and will not, get better without
treatment of some
Why are people willing to suffer
when a situation can be resolved by a chiropractor, sometimes in as little as
one visit? Some people seem determined to prove that they can “take the pain”
as if taking the pain is somehow virtuous. Some people feel like they just
don’t have the time for an appointment. Sadly, they occasionally find
they have plenty of time for doing nothing because the pain has gotten bad
enough to immobilize them. And sometimes, before they even look into how much
an appointment will cost, patients conclude that it’s too expensive.
The truth is there is nothing
virtuous about taking pain when you don’t have to, and most people take much
more than they have to. In regard to time, people who are in pain are simply
not able to get as much done with their time. The truth for them is that
getting their pain resolved will enable them to be more productive with their
time, thus giving them some of their time back. Finally, people who think it’s
too expensive to get treatment should ask themselves how expensive it will be
if they are unable to earn a living, because pain can cause you to miss days or
even weeks at work.
What causes headaches?
According to the National
Headache Foundation, over 45 million Americans suffer from headaches. Headaches
that occur suddenly can be caused by an infection, fever, cold, or other
illness. Inflammations of the sinuses, throat, or ear, can also cause
headaches. Headaches are also sometimes due to environmental factors, including
exposure to smoke, strong odors from perfumes and chemicals, and exposure
to allergens. Pollution, noise, lighting, and weather changes are also known to
cause headaches.
Many headaches are related to
problems in the neck. In a recent article in U.S. News and World Report, Dr.
David Starr wrote, “Most headaches are related to muscle tension in the neck,
which is an increasingly common condition among Americans who spend hours in
the same position or posture (such as
in front of a computer or television), leading to joint irritation and tension
in the upper back and scalp that cause headaches.”
What are the most common types of
headaches?
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Tension headaches are the
most common type of headaches among adults and adolescents. Tension headaches
cause mild to moderate pain and they can come and go over a period of time.
They can be caused by any of the following: emotional stress, alcohol use,
skipping meals, changes in sleep patterns, use of some medications, depression,
eyestrain, and neck or back strain.
Migraine headaches cause
moderate to severe pain which is sometimes described as pounding or throbbing
pain. Migraines may last anywhere from several hours to three days. People who
have migraines can have them one to four times per month.
How are
headaches diagnosed?
The first key to treating a
headache is correctly diagnosing the cause of the headache. After a correct
diagnosis has been made, an effective treatment plan can be started. If you
have headaches that are recurrent or that won’t go away in a reasonable period
of time, one of the best things you can do is to visit your chiropractor. He or
she will perform a physical exam and evaluate your symptoms.
During the headache evaluation,
your doctor will ask about your headache history. He or she will want to get a
good description of your headaches, including where the pain is and what kind
of pain it is. You will be asked to describe your symptoms as completely as
possible. It will help if you can provide your doctor with a list of things
that cause or aggravate your headaches, as well as the things that you have
done to relieve headaches in the past.
How can a
chiropractor treat a headache?
Mechanical
dysfunction of the vertebrae of the neck can cause increased muscle tension
leading to tension headaches. A misalignment can also irritate the nerves that
control the flow of blood into the head, causing migraine headaches. Many
headaches are caused by subluxations
As part of a headache examination,
your chiropractor will determine whether your headache and the associated
symptoms are due to a misalignment or a subluxation
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In this article, I have discussed tension headaches and migraine
headaches, what causes them, and how a chiropractor can help to alleviate them.
Some headaches are caused by a misalignment in the neck, which can be
corrected with a chiropractic adjustment.
If you have a comment about this article, please leave it in the
comments section below. If you know of someone who might benefit from the
information in this blog, please share it with your friends, colleagues, and on
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At Vibrant Life, we address all of the key elements to add
vibrance and vitality to your life. This includes nutrition, chiropractic care,
and fitness. If you need to consult with a chiropractor about your neck, back,
or any other health concern, please contact our office to set up an
appointment.
Dr. Jon Thomas is a Board Certified Chiropractic Physician. His
practice, The Vibrant Life Health Center, is located in the Mandarin section of
Jacksonville. His interest in health and fitness started early, and his
athletic pursuits have included BMX racing, Professional Snow Skiing, Water
Skiing, Baseball, Weight Lifting, and Martial Arts. After studying and learning
from some of the top health experts throughout the world, Dr. Thomas dedicated
his life to helping people of all ages to transform their lives. The objective
for each patient is to initiate the body’s healing and to work progressively
toward a body that functions optimally. Dr. Thomas is seen regularly on TV on
First Coast Living, where he discusses the transformations of his patients. He
also speaks at events throughout the community and writes informative articles
to improve the health of residents throughout Jacksonville.
