Almost everyone has experienced a headache at one time or another. Some people get tension or stress headaches. Others have sinus headaches. Still others have migraine headaches and some experience cluster headaches.
I would like to give you ideas on how to avoid headaches. Or if you have headaches, how you can get relief.
Generally speaking, having a mild headache a few times a year, while annoying, is usually not serious. However, some people experience a headache a couple of times a month, or weekly, or even daily, and this is definitely not normal.
Sometimes a headache can be felt in the back of the head, just above the neck or at the temples, or on the forehead or around the eyes.
Since headaches affect so many people, I’d like to give you ideas for reducing the effects of headaches so you can live a happier, healthier life.
First, headaches can be caused by stress on the neck. Having poor head and neck posture or allowing the head and neck to be in an uncomfortable position for a long period of time can contribute to headaches. Make sure you have good head and neck posture when standing, and likewise when sitting and sleeping.
Second, some headaches are caused by triggers like food, dehydration, activities, or circumstances. Look for certain foods and drinks like cheese, chocolate, coffee, and wine to see if they are associated with the onset of your headache. Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day, as dehydration can cause headaches for some of us.
Also see if your headache comes on at certain times of the day. If your headache is present when you wake up in the morning, your pillow may not be providing adequate support for your neck. If the headache occurs in the evening or at night, you may not be getting enough sleep. Some headaches can be caused by lack of sleep.
Third, only a small percentage of headaches are due to an underlying illness or injury. The vast majority of headaches are caused by irritation of the muscles and nerves in the upper neck. By removing irritation from muscles and nerves, many people have found relief and even elimination of their headaches. In our office we have a series of procedures that point to this type of help.
If you have a headache, you can apply ice or cold packs to the back of your neck. To find out how to do this correctly, you can visit my previous article: The chiropractic answer to: “Should I use ice or heat?