Headaches happen to most people; however, some individuals face chronic, recurring headaches, which can disrupt their daily routine. And while most headaches are only annoying, some may reflect a condition that may be more serious but yet to be identified. At Equilibrium Chiropractic in Greensboro, NC, Dr. Lee Stafford offers various chiropractic and complementary treatments to help better manage headaches that may be disrupting your quality of life.
The Two Fundamental Types of Headaches
Headaches typically present or manifest uniquely in each person. While some share similar symptoms, still others do not. These are the two primary types of headaches -
- Primary Headaches Primary headaches are categorized as follows -
- Tension Headaches – approximately ¾ of all headaches are tension headaches. These manifest as a dull ache/discomfort behind the eyes.
- Migraine Headaches have a neurological basis and can last for multiple days. Migraines, which are aggravated by light and sound, can cause debilitating pain and nausea.
- Cluster Headaches – characterized by intense pain on one side. These typically affect those between the ages of 20 and 40.
- New Daily Persistent Headaches (NDPH) –a rare disorder with a sudden, unexpected onset and a duration that can last upwards of three months.
- Secondary Headaches These types are symptoms of another condition, i.e., dehydration, etc.
Common Triggers of Headaches
When there is a misalignment or structural displacement in your neck or upper back spine region, it can cause a painful headache. Other headache triggers include -
- Lifestyle Factors –
- Poor posture or sleep habits.
- Poor dietary choices that include food with excessive levels of certain amino acids. Examples include cheese, chocolate, and fermented/pickled food.
- Excessive exercise, to name a few.
- Life Stressors –
- Depression.
- Anxiety
- Other emotional factors.
- Toxic Chemical Exposure – which may include –
- Nitrates.
- MSG (Monosodium glutamate) is used as a food additive/enhancer.
- Nicotine, and more.
Chiropractic Techniques to Relieve Headaches
Fortunately, one or several chiropractic manipulations or complementary therapies have been shown to help alleviate the painful symptoms caused by headaches. Dr. Stafford offers the following treatments to assist in the treatment of headaches and related symptoms –
- Chiropractic adjustments
- Spinal decompression
- Class IV Laser Therapy, to name just a few.
Contact a Leading Chiropractor for Relief from Headache Pain and Discomfort
Do you live in the greater Greensboro, NC, area and experience headaches that impact your daily life? Contact Equilibrium Chiropractic at 336-763-0084, or if you prefer, use our online contact form or online appointment request form. We look forward to customizing a plan that lets you return to your daily routine.
Chiropractors and Headaches
Equilibrium Chiropractic incorporates a comprehensive treatment approach to optimize patient health and improve outcomes. Individual treatment plan are not a one size fits all approach, every individual is unique and requires a customized treatment plans to reach optimal health and function.
Electrical Muscle Stimulaton/TENS
Is a type of electrotherapy, stimulating muscle contraction using electrical impulses in order strengthen weak muscles, reduce tissue swelling, pain relieve, and helps with wound health.
The benefits of electrical muscle stimulation would be to decrease neck pain generated from tendons, ligaments, muscles, and joints. Promote tissue healing of the neck region, while promoting muscle strength.
Intersegmental Traction
An intersegmental traction table, also known as a roller table, is a wonderful modality that chiropractors utilize to re-establish normal range of motion of the body’s spine. The table helps facilitate motion throughout the spine, by mobilizing and massaging tight, stiff muscles and ligaments. The wave like motion stretches the spinal joints while improving movement. It also promotes disc imbibition, the process of water and nutrients going in and waste products coming out the discs.
K-Laser Therapy
This safe, effective, drug free, non-surgical treatment is known as Photobiomodulation Therapy, or Low Level Light Therapy (LLLT) is a new and exciting treatment offered to patients with neck pain that is generated from the ligaments, tendons, muscles, discs and nerve of the neck region. K-Laser Dynamic therapy uses several pulsed light frequencies to produce a combination of analgesia (pain relief), inflammation reduction, biostimulation, and antimicrobial effect, thus accelerating the regeneration of tissues and increasing cellular energy.
Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression
Spinal Decompression is a safe, effective, and non-surgical treatment for treating acute and chronic neck pain, lower back pain, facet syndrome, pinched nerves and sciatica caused by bulging, herniated, protruding and degenerated discs. Non-surgical spinal decompression produces a negative pressure within the intervertebral disc, creating a vacuum effect that pulls fluid and nutrients to help maintain and promote healing of the intervertebral discs.
Myofascial Release Therapy(MFR)/IASTM
Instrumental assisted soft tissue mobilization is a myofascial release therapy produces controlled microtrauma to the soft tissue to stimulate a local inflammatory response. MFR is utilized to reduce musculoskeletal pain, restore proper muscle movement and mobility, reduce inflammation, increase collagen production, and speed up recovery time.
Chiropractic Spinal Manipulations aka “The Adjustment”
Chiropractic care is the largest complementary alternative medicine (CAM) care system utilized by patient for a wide range of conditions. Chiropractic physicians approach your health and well-being holistically, as it is essential to truly understanding the underlying issues that are causing your health to be less than optimal. One common root cause of dysfunction that can manifest a condition is spine misalignment. This is because poor spine alignment and spinal decay leads to reduced nerve signaling.
Chiropractic physicians are healthcare professionals trained in the evaluation, diagnosis, and management of neuromusculoskeletal conditions ailing the general population. Chiropractic care is one of the safest forms of healthcare and has an enviable healthcare safety record. Chiropractic care is effective, safe, non-invasive, non-surgical, and reduces the need of medication. Some of the most documented benefits of chiropractic care are reduced headache symptoms, improved neck pain and back pain, reduces osteoarthritis symptoms, reduces reliance of dangerous opioid pain relievers and anti-inflammatories medication, lessens scoliosis symptoms, improves posture, increases athletic performance, helps with sleep, and improves energy.