Headaches. Everyone gets them from time to time. They’re so common in fact, that we’ve now adopted the word “headache” into mainstream culture to describe something painfully annoying. And still, we often just deal with these symptoms by trying to ignore them. We go about our day, popping handfuls of medicine that, let’s be honest, doesn’t really do all that much in the way of relief.

So, if you’re sick and tired of grinning and bearing it when it comes to headaches, it’s time to back away from the medicine cabinet—and head for the chiropractor.

How does a chiropractor help tension headaches?

1.Improved posture. Poor posture can cause shoulder, neck or scalp muscles to become tense. Tense muscles compress nerves, and irritated nerves cause headaches. Feel where your skull meets your neck, great occipital nerve goes through those suboccipital muscles and if those muscles are tight this will compress the nerve causing pain to the forehead and a stabbing ice pick feeling into the eye. Chiropractic adjustments can realign your body, elongate your spine, and reduce the tension that is likely the root of your headache. In one clinical study, 22 percent of people receiving chiropractic manipulation reported more than a 90 percent reduction of headaches. And 49 percent reported that the headache intensity was significantly reduced after receiving chiropractic treatment. Our chiropractors at Urban Wellness Clinic also provide guidance on the importance of ergonomic positioning at work and demonstrate stretching and strengthening techniques you can do on your own to improve your posture.2. Agility and range of motion. Stress is the number one cause for tension headaches. And regular exercise is a fantastic stress management tool. It doesn’t have to be heart thumping high-intensity cardio to reap the benefits—even low-impact exercise can do wonders for your mental health. Studies show that moderate exercise can reduce both the frequency and severity of even the most intense migraines. Plus, exercise positively affects your mood by releasing endorphins—the body’s feel good chemicals—which are natural pain killers and antidepressants.

3. Proper nutrition. That’s right—nutrition. Chiropractors treat more than just the musculoskeletal system. A good chiropractor can offer beneficial advice about foods that trigger headaches in some people—aged cheeses, alcohol, onion, pickles, MSG…even avocados. The list goes on and on, so it’s really a matter of figuring out what your trigger foods are. Our chiropractors ask you to keep a food journal to identify any patterns in how your eating habits coincides with your headaches to narrow down which foods may be the culprits. Nutritional deficiencies could also be setting off your pain. Vitamin D, Vitamins B6 and B12, Vitamin E, and magnesium are a great place to start, as they’ve been most commonly linked to headaches. You can work with our chiropractor to determine if increasing your dietary intake of foods rich in these vitamins will work, or if you should supplement.

While going to a chiropractor may not have been your first defense to ward off that nagging tension headache, you might want to reconsider. By taking a holistic approach to your health, a chiropractor will aim to get to the bottom of your pain—and then treat the source, rather than the symptoms.

To learn more about how chiropractic care can relieve your headaches by improving your posture, increasing your mobility, and helping you hone in on a nutritional plan that works for you, check out Urban Wellness Clinic today.

Best in health,

Dr. Emily Kiberd