How A Wilmington NC Chiropractor Alleviates Headaches Naturally With Chiropractic

Headaches that occur more often than just occasionally can be frustrating and even debilitating to those who suffer from them. Most doctors will prescribe painkillers to address this issue, however this does not deal with the underlying cause of the pain. A Wilmington chiropractor will be able to first determine the type of headache and will then use natural therapy to relieve the pain.

Different factors can contribute to the development of headaches, the most common of these are; muscle tension, constricted blood vessels, and sinus congestion. The first two of these respond best to chiropractic therapy. Most headaches can be classified as either tension, migraine, or cervicogenic (pain which originates in the neck).

The chiropractor will ask the patient a number of questions pertaining to their headaches, as well as examine him or her physically. Having an understanding of the nature of pain is necessary in order to choose the best therapeutic approach. A personalized course of therapy will be planned once the cause of the condition is clear.

Tension headaches usually develop due to stress, which causes tension in the muscles of the shoulders, neck, and head. The chiropractor will most likely use a combination of massage and spinal adjustments to relieve this built-up tension. Massage soothes and relaxes stiff muscles, and improves blood flow; adjustments can correct affected nerves in the spinal column, together these techniques can work to prevent the pain from returning.

Migraines are severe, intense headaches which are often accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. They can be triggered by various factors and can be incapacitating when they come on. They are believed to be caused by restricted vascular flow which can be improved considerably by manipulations of the spine, particularly in the neck region.

While adjustments are most commonly used by practitioners to help reduce the incidence of headache, they may also recommend lifestyle changes and possibly some stretching exercises to maintain good spinal health. Most patients who undergo chiropractic care for relief of headaches experience a considerable improvement over those who strictly rely on medications. A Wilmington chiropractor will be able to offer these patients the help they need without using potentially dangerous drugs with unpleasant side effects.