Saturday, August 31, 2013

St. Joseph Chiropractor Alleviates Headaches Naturally With Chiropractic Care

By Carmella Isenhour


There are several types of headaches with a variety of causes. Cervicogenic headaches are one of the most common. They originate in the neck and can produce attacks of pain that last for hours or days. Analgesics can help to manage the symptoms, but do not resolve the underlying issues. A St. Joseph chiropractor provides safe and effective, drug-free relief from cervicogenic headache pain.

Cervicogenic headaches occur when a misalignment in the spine causes the upper cervical vertebrae to compress nerves within the spinal cord. The constricted fibers broadcast pain signals to nerve endings in the head, face or neck. The misalignment may be due to trauma such as whiplash. More frequently, it is the result of poor posture, stress-related muscle tension or sleeping in a wrong position.

Cervicogenic headache pain ranges from mild to severe. It tends to worsen when the position of the neck is maintained for long periods, as when driving or using a computer. Headaches are often accompanied by neck pain and stiffness which may make it difficult to rotate the head.

When patients with headache pain visit the St. Joseph clinic, they are thoroughly assessed. After consulting with them about their symptoms, the chiropractor performs a physical examination. She palpates the neck joints and muscles and carries out orthopedic and neurological tests. She also evaluates posture, flexibility and range of motion.

Gentle spinal adjustments can often resolve the symptoms of cervicogenic headaches. Upper cervical vertebrae are carefully realigned to their optimal positions. This process releases trapped nerves to alleviate the root cause of pain. Targeted massage applied to soft tissues and trigger points loosens neck muscles to relieve stiffness.

After addressing the cause of pain, the St. Joseph chiropractor advises patients on headache prevention. She demonstrates stress-management techniques and guides patients through exercises to improve neck muscle strength and suppleness. She also recommends the use of orthopedic pillows to enhance neck support.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...