© Copyright 2003-2007 Dr. Krisjan M. Gustavson. Please ask permission to reproduce.
Headaches are common, but they are not normal. By finding the cause of your pain, Dr. Gustavson can give you relief to a discomfort that disrupts your life and often makes everyday tasks unbearable.
Headaches are one of the most common problems/symptoms that affect us. Headaches are also one of the most common symptoms that Dr. Gustavson treats. There are numerous types of headaches such as tension headaches, migraines, trauma headaches, sinus headaches and rebound headaches.
Other common problems that induce headaches are infections, hangovers, stress, fatigue, physical or emotional trauma, problems in the pelvis and lower back, and a malfunction in the upper spinal bones in the neck, affecting nerves, muscles, and blood supply to the head.
On the surface, headaches seem to come in a variety of forms – throbbing, pounding or stabbing. Chiropractors believe that most headaches are ultimately caused by the overloading of the nervous system. Nerve irritation is the leading cause of headache pain for many sufferers.
There are an estimated 4.5 million Canadians spending upwards of $60 million dollars each year on over-the-counter and prescription drugs in search for a permanent solution. For some, the medication works, but for many the relief obtained is temporary.
Powerful drugs numb the nervous system so pain doesn't register and can cause adverse effects on the stomach, liver, and kidneys. For anyone who is suffering from a recurring headache (two-three times a week), it is important to recognize it as a serious sign that something is wrong. Please remember that the headache itself is not the problem. It may sure feel like the problem when you have one, especially in the case of a migraine. However, the headache is only a symptom that something else is wrong. Although a quick relief to the pain, drugs provide only a short-term solution to the problem, while the underlying cause of the headache goes untreated.
Migraine Headaches
The migraine is one of the more painful types of headaches often leaving the sufferer in bed and immobilized. Most migraine sufferers notice symptoms that occur before the headache actually hits, such as visual changes, dizziness, muscle contraction, nausea, etc. The headache itself may last from a few minutes to a few days.
The chiropractic approach to headaches, especially repetitive headaches, is to take a good case history. Through the case history and consultation, Dr. Gustavson can determine patterns and possible causes. A good example would be a headache that begins several weeks after a car accident. A case history will be followed by an exam and the appropriate x-rays. In the majority of cases, Dr. Gustavson will find the problem is usually caused by one or more subluxations (misalignment of the vertebrae) in the neck.
It is important to know that a headache is a warning sign. The more frequent or more severe the headache, the greater the warning sign. Headaches that happen every day or almost every day are called rebound headaches and are caused by overuse of pain medicines. Often these headaches begin early in the morning. The location and severity of the headache may change from day to day. People who have rebound headaches also may have nausea, anxiety, irritability, depression, or problems sleeping.
Both prescription and over-the-counter medicines for migraine (such as aspirin and acetaminophen) can cause headache if you take them too often. Sedatives and tranquilizers can also cause rebound headaches.
Talk to your doctor about the medicines you are taking. You can safely stop taking some medicines right away; while other kinds of medicine have to be slowly reduced. After stopping the headache medicine, it is common for your headaches to get worse for a few days. Do not make changes to your drug plan without talking with your doctor.
Fasting is a common cause of headaches, so eat meals at regular hours and do not skip breakfast. Go to bed and get up at the same time every day. You should exercise at least 20 minutes a day, three days a week.
Can chiropractic help the pain? Yes, many times it can. When there is a subluxation in the cervical spine, which results in pressure on the nervous system, one of the most common symptoms is a headache. With some patients, the misalignment is so bad that things such as stress, extra tension, or small trauma are enough to set off a chain of events that result in a headache. Dr. Gustavson will “reset” your nervous system by putting the vertebra back into alignment. When this happens, your body’s innate ability to heal itself is restored.
Make an appointment for an adjustment or to discuss any questions you might have regarding headaches; and imagine what your life would be like pain free!
Fort Street Family Chiropractic
1007 Fort St., Victoria, BC
Phone: 250.382.0018
©
2008
Dr. K. M. Gustavson
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