Migraine Awareness Week 5-10 September

Migraines and Chiropractic

Migraine Awareness Week 5-10 September – I see many patients in clinic with Headaches and Migraines. Sometimes a client books an appointment in the hope to treat their headaches.  Sometimes it’s mentioned in passing when we take a history in the initial consultation. Most people don’t realise that Chiropractic care could help with headaches.

Tension

There are many reasons that people suffer with headaches. Reasons for this can be related to tension in the neck and shoulders – either in the joints or muscles. If this is the case, then Chiropractic care can be very effective.

Several muscles in the shoulders and neck attach up to the skull. If these are tight and restricted, they can put pressure on the skull. This can cause tension and result in a headache.

Stress

If the joints in the neck are not moving properly then they can cause pain with sudden movement of the neck and head. This can also lead to tension in the muscles of the neck as they compensate to create the movement you require.

Stress is another factor for headache sufferers. Stress can create tension in our muscles. When we are stressed, we often hunch our shoulders up to our ears and hold our bodies in tension.

Dehydration

Dehydration can also be a cause of headaches. Drinking water regularly is good for many systems of your body and may help with reducing episodes of headaches.

Do not ignore headaches if you are having them, visit your GP to get them checked out. When should you go to your GP or A&E?

• If you are experiencing a headache that is worse than any you have ever had
• Your normal headaches have changed and feel worse
• You have a very bad headache and you feel unwell in other ways

After you have discussed your headaches with your GP, you can get in touch with me to see if Chiropractic care can help you.

If you would like to do some more reading here is a link to an article on Spinal Manipulation and Headaches.