Suffering from headaches is extremely common. Most people in Perth will get a headache occasionally. Generally, we do not require medical attention to assess or diagnose a headache and the pain generally subsides over a few hours or days. Some headaches though, may start to interfere with your work or family life. Even hobbies can become difficult when you have a persistent or recurring headache. It is at this stage that seeing a health professional is important. Follow these headache tips from our chiro and physio team to find relief and stay one step ahead of the problem.
Why Does My Head Hurt?
There are a range of different “triggers” that may cause your headaches. Some have to do with your lifestyle choices, some are due to an underlying health condition, some are genetic, and some are due to postural stress. Some common headache triggers include certain foods, certain smells, bright lights, loud noises, high intensity exercise, changes in blood sugar levels, using an improper pillow at night, poor posture at work or poor sleep, too little or too much sleep.
It is important to know that in 95% of headache cases, the headache is not caused by an underlying health issue or disease. Sometimes, this is the case. Our team is trained to identify these types of headaches and refer you to the most appropriate health professional.
Most common headaches are the result of muscle tension and the restriction of vertebrae in your neck and/or upper back caused by overloading due to postural stress. Sitting at a computer all day, driving a truck all day, or using your mobile phone on social media for long hours are all examples of overloading stresses. This means virtually every headache can be treated by changing your habits and making an appointment with a chiropractor or physiotherapist to accurately assess, diagnose and treat your headache at the root cause, not just patch up symptoms.
Some quick tips to help headaches
The most important headache tip you will receive from our professional team is how to implement strategies to help yourself. If you have a job that requires you to sit in a static position for several hours per day, force yourself to get up and move around every 30 minutes or so. It does not have to be anything substantial. Even a walk around the office or light stretching will do. Remember that postural strain is one of the most common causes of common headache.
Heat packs can help reduce muscle tension by increasing blood flow to the effected area. Apply a heat back to the shoulders, neck or upper back for effective results. Try and rest in a quite and dark room if needed to reduce any visual or audio irritation.
Remember the triggers. Try and avoid irritating factors until you have had the problem accurately assessed and treated. For example, if you are prone to getting dull throbbing headaches after exercise, avoid engaging in heavy exercise until they have started to reduce. You can still workout, just switch things up to include more low-impact activities. If you know sitting in front of the TV watching Netflix in a bad position is what irritates your headache, avoid that and switch to an activity that is going to build you up instead. Maybe try some stretching or yoga instead. Ask our team about some great online resources for at home yoga and pilates programs. Dehydration is always a big headache trigger so drink water throughout the day and keep yourself hydrated.
Visiting Your Chiropractor or Physiotherapist
If you find that your headaches persist, even after following these self-help tips, make an appointment with our team of chiropractors and physiotherapists. Spinal adjustments are an effective treatment for headaches that originate in your neck or upper back. A good rehabilitation program will help give you the strength to keep yourself conditioned. Once your body is back to functioning at its best, and you have implemented everything correctly, you will notice huge changes in the consistency and intensity of your headaches.
At Regenerate Chiropractic our team is here to help answer your questions.
Please feel free to contact us today.
