4 Potential Chiropractic Treatments For Chronic Headaches
Chiropractic care can be a great option for treating headaches because it is all natural and drug free. Also, chiropractic treatment for chronic headaches often doesn't only address the pain and discomfort, but it also cures the underlying causes so that headaches are permanently cured rather than only temporarily palliated.
The following are four of the most common chiropractic treatments available to those who chronically suffer from headache symptoms. Determining which of the following four techniques is right for your unique situation and will involve careful consideration of issues like your posture, joints, lifestyle, muscles, and more.
Active Release Technique (ART)
If chronic headaches are caused by factors including inhibited muscle function, concentrations of scar tissue, and nerve compression, active release technique (ART) can be used to treat them at the chiropractor's office.
ART involves finding areas in the muscles and other soft tissue parts of the body where pressure is concentrated. Pressure is relieved by certain stretching techniques that will reduce buildups of tension and restore the full function of muscles so that future headaches are prevented and alleviated.
Rehabilitative chiropractic treatment
Sometimes, headaches are caused by a simple overall lack of good physical conditioning. In this case, general rehabilitation is necessary to prevent repeat occurrences of headache pain.
Rehabilitative chiropractic treatment generally involves simple exercises and stretches that are meant to improve circulation and improve overall conditioning.
Adjustments to the spinal joints and tissues
Perhaps the most common method of treating chronic headaches is simply making general chiropractic adjustments. These adjustments help to allow for renewed movement and functioning of the patient's joints and tissues.
If it is found that patients are suffering from headaches as a result of tension in the neck muscles, general chiropractic adjustments are typically the best treatment method offered at a chiropractor's office. Patients suffering from migraine headaches should look into the potential of getting relief from adjustments to the joints in the neck and spine.
Myofascial release (MFR) techniques
When myofascial release treatment is used, the chiropractor massages muscles and soft tissues. This massage is typically performed on the face and neck areas of the body. Patients who suffer from chronic headaches related to sinus problems will generally enjoy the most success with chiropractic treatment using myofascial release techniques.
Dietary/lifestyle analysis
A chiropractor generally aims to treat chronic headaches or any other health problem with all natural techniques. As such, part of determining an appropriate treatment will involve an analysis of the patient's dietary habits.
Proper hydration is an important part of avoiding headaches, so often a chiropractor will recommend higher water intake. Also, a chiropractor will generally advise patients that substances such as caffeine, alcohol, aged cheese, soy sauce, ice cream, and processed meats can trigger headaches.