Headaches - Chiropractic - Hoekstra Chiropractic

Headaches are a very common ailment and for some, it’s just a matter of taking a few pain relievers; however, if you find yourself reaching for the medicine bottle on a regular basis, it may be time to visit your Oak Lawn, IL chiropractor. In fact, there are a few things you might try as an alternative to pain medicines even if your headaches are few and far between.

Some tried and true natural headache cures? For one, make sure you are drinking plenty of water. Mild dehydration is quite common as many people wait until they are thirsty to drink water and rehydrate. The fact is we are already partially dehydrated when we become thirsty because our water levels have dropped below optimum and thus, triggered thirst.

Another method is to massage the area between your thumb and first finger. Diluted lavender or eucalyptus oil massaged into the temples is also a natural way to relieve a headache, especially a tension headache. The next time you have a headache, you might try some of these methods or simply lie down for a bit and close your eyes. Anytime you can avoid taking OTC’s (over-the-counter meds), the better off your system will be!

The most common type of headache is a tension headache. Tension headaches are common under stressful conditions. We tend to hunch our shoulders and tense our neck muscles, which can lead to an annoying tension headache.

Chiropractic care for tension headaches may include dietary changes, massage therapy, trigger point therapy and education on stress management techniques and stretching. Regular massage therapy can improve your ability to manage stress as it affects you.

Migraine headaches are painful, recurring headaches with no exact origin, though there are many theories behind migraine headaches. Some migraines occur with visual disturbances and nausea. Other migraine sufferers have a warning prior to getting a migraine that ranges from craving sweets to being a little blue. The pain is often throbbing and may begin on one side and move to the other.

Researchers have yet to figure out the exact origin of migraines, though several theories exist. The good news is that chiropractic care for migraines involves examining the patient as a whole, rather than attempting to treat just the migraines. A full history and exam will help us customize a treatment plan designed to help you manage your migraine headaches. Treating migraines in this manner helps pinpoint the potential causes of your migraines. For instance, some migraine sufferers may be sensitive to a common trigger such as caffeine, whereas other migraine sufferers may benefit more from stress management and massage therapy.

A cervicogenic headache simply means the headache originates in the neck region. The neck is an intricate area and when age or injury related degeneration, spinal misalignment and inflammation produces pressure on the components, the result may be radiating pain to the head or suddenly increased or decreased blood flow that causes a vascular headache.

Chiropractic care for cervicogenic headaches involves spinal manipulation and decompression to restore spinal health and alignment and reduce painful headaches. Cervicogenic headaches are quite common amongst the elderly and can often be traced back to a neck injury from many years ago. For this reason, be sure to have any current neck injuries, including sprains and strains, examined and treated now to avoid painful complications later in life.

Your Oak Lawn, IL chiropractor can assess your headaches and create a customized treatment plan to address the causes of your headaches as well as your overall health. Please call Dr. Hoekstra today and set an appointment for exam or consultation.