Headaches & Treatments

Most Common Form Of Pain The Headache

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The most common form of pain is the headache. Whether dealing with a mild, dull ache, severe throbbing, or painful tension along the scalp and neck, headaches can disrupt and get in the way of everyday life. Over-the-counter pain medications can offer temporary relief, but they don’t get to the root and solve the cause. Chiropractic is a safe and effective treatment option that will bring head pain relief and treat what is causing the headache/s.

Triggers

Individuals engage in more sedentary activities, and more hours spent in one fixed position combined with poor posture can increase joint irritation and muscle tension in the neck, upper back, and scalp. Headaches can have a variety of causes or triggers. These can include:

  • Stress is the most common trigger
  • Muscle tension
  • Insomnia
  • Environmental stimuli – noises, lights, smells
  • Dehydration
  • Weather changes
  • Foods
  • Blood sugar changes
  • Excessive exercise

Most Common Types

There are two main categories: primary and secondary headaches.

Primary headaches

Primary headaches are when the headache itself is the main problem and is not a symptom of underlying diseases or conditions. These include:

Secondary headaches

These are related to medical condition/s like:

  • Sinus congestion
  • Medication overuse
  • Infection
  • High blood pressure
  • Trauma
  • Head injury
  • Diseased blood vessels in the brain
  • Tumor

Frequency

Headache pain comes from interacting signals in the brain, blood vessels, and nerves. A mechanism activates specific nerves that affect the muscles and blood vessels, sending pain signals back to the brain. If any of the following is occurring it is recommended to contact a doctor, headache specialist, or chiropractor.

  • Three or more headaches a week.
  • Headaches that get worse or don’t go away.
  • Having to take a pain reliever every day or almost every day.
  • Need more than 2-3 doses of over-the-counter medications a week to relieve symptoms.
  • Headaches triggered by strenuous activity, hard work/exertion, bending, coughing.
  • Recent changes in headache symptoms.
  • Family history of headaches.

Clinical Description

To get to the root a doctor will ask:

  • What time of day/night the headache usually occurs?
  • How long does the headache last?
  • Where the pain is located?
  • Type of pain –  throbbing, comes and goes, dull aching, one-sided, etc.
  • Does the headache come on suddenly without warning or slowly progress?
  • Are there other symptoms like weakness, nausea, sensitivity to light or noise, decreased appetite, changes in attitude or behavior?

Chiropractic

A chiropractor will assess, diagnose, conduct a physical examination to determine the cause and develop a personalized treatment plan to alleviate the pain and help to manage and prevent headaches. Treatment approaches include:

  • A combination of chiropractic manipulative therapy.
  • Activate trigger points to release tension and allow for optimal nerve and blood circulation.
  • Active and passive exercises.
  • Massage.
  • Health coaching.

Body Composition


Water

Most of the body is made up of water with the percentage of body composition that is water changing based on individual functional needs. Essential functions of water include:

  • Help to build/repair almost every cell in the body.
  • Regulating body temperature through sweating and respiration.
  • Energy from carbohydrates and proteins is transported by water through the blood.
  • Assists in the removal of metabolic waste through urination.
  • Acts as a shock absorber to protect the brain and spinal cord.
  • Creates saliva/fluids to lubricate the joints.

The amount of water in the body depends on various factors that include:

The most common water comes from lean body mass. This includes blood, organs, and muscle. Major body organs’ water content:

  • Lungs – 83%
  • Muscles and kidneys – 79%
  • Brain and heart – 73%
  • Skin – 64%
  • Bones – 31%
References

Bryans, Roland et al. “Evidence-based guidelines for the chiropractic treatment of adults with headache.” Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics vol. 34,5 (2011): 274-89. doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2011.04.008

Tyagi, Alok. “New daily persistent headache.” Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology vol. 15,Suppl 1 (2012): S62-5. doi:10.4103/0972-2327.100011

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Professional Scope of Practice *

The information herein on "Most Common Form Of Pain The Headache" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

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Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.

We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*

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We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.

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Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
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Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
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Dr Alex Jimenez

Welcome-Bienvenido's to our blog. We focus on treating severe spinal disabilities and injuries. We also treat Sciatica, Neck and Back Pain, Whiplash, Headaches, Knee Injuries, Sports Injuries, Dizziness, Poor Sleep, Arthritis. We use advanced proven therapies focused on optimal mobility, health, fitness, and structural conditioning. We use Individualized Diet Plans, Specialized Chiropractic Techniques, Mobility-Agility Training, Adapted Cross-Fit Protocols, and the "PUSH System" to treat patients suffering from various injuries and health problems. If you would like to learn more about a Doctor of Chiropractic who uses advanced progressive techniques to facilitate complete physical health, please connect with me. We focus on simplicity to help restore mobility and recovery. I'd love to see you. Connect!

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