As a routine part of the history taking process with my patients I ask: “Do you get headaches?” I frequently get this response: ”Only the normal ones.” To this I ask, “What is a ‘normal’ headache?” Maybe it is normal to not have a headache at all.
And then, there are those who feel that the cause of their headache must be lack of ibuprofen, since the headache is held at bay when two ibuprofen are consumed every six hours. The truth is, something causes headaches. The best way to ‘treat’ them is to remove the cause, not just mask the symptoms. There are lots of types of headaches, the ones I see the most are the classic tension headache and the infamous migraine. I have worked with headache patients as young as seven and as old as you can imagine.
So, I hope you are reading this because you want to know what you can do that does not include opening a pill bottle. Here is my short list. Allow me to add this disclaimer first: these are not for all cases and it is wise to consult with a doctor in person before trying any new protcols.
- Chiropractic: of course I have to put this on my list. Based on my own observation I have found that an adjustment will favorably affect 9 of 10 headaches (even migraines). Of those, about half seem to go away entirely within a very short time. The connection is simple: neck bones that are not moving well can contribute to muscle spasms, poor blood flow, and nerve irritation.
- Ice: some headaches have a more direct link to blood flow and these will often respond well to the placement of an ice pack at the base of the skull for 10-15 minutes. The cold will constrict the blood vessels, which can decrease the throbbing sensation often associated with headaches. You can double this one up with the next one.
- Roll up a towel: many tension type headaches are accompanied by some tight and unhappy muscles in the neck and upper back. If you lay on your back, with a towel rolled loosely under your neck it may give your muscles a break while keeping your neck in a neutral position. See my pillow tips here.
- Acupuncture: I am not an acupuncturist, but I know it works and I know several really good ones. Call my office at 360-834-3434 and I would be happy to give you some names.
- Massage: This can compliment the chiropractic adjustment really well. A good therapeutic massage will increase blood flow to grumpy muscles, drain lymphatic toxins, and it usually feels great. If you read this far, call to schedule a massage and adjustment and I will give you a $10 credit.
- Only eat food: I just started reading a great book called “If its Not Food, Don’t Eat It”. If you put sugar water in your car it might start to have problems, right? Your body can react the same way to many things that you eat, but shouldn’t be. Lots of different ‘pseudofoods’ can trigger headaches. Some big offenders include caffeine, alcohol, red meat, chocolate, aspartame, and the list goes on. Watch out for processed food loaded with stuff you can’t pronounce–these can send your body on a downward spiral to many chronic health problems.
- Exercise: This is an answer to just about any health related problem. Not only does it reduce emotional stress, but if you strengthen some postural muscles, you can reduce the chances of getting a lot of muscle tension type headaches. Call me and I will teach you some good postural exercises. Later I will probably post a video with a demonstration.
- Laser: read all about it here.
Hope this helps!
Chiropractors differ quite a bit. One thing we almost all have in common is that we look for something most of us call a subluxation and the adjustment. Allow me to define these terms for you. Keep in mind that these are my definitions and other health professionals or DC’s may have their own.
Subluxation=a misalignment or dysfunction of the spine, resulting in problems. These problems can vary from pain and stiffness to nerve irritation, leading to symptoms with anything the nerve communicates with.
Adjustment=a method of getting rid the the above mentioned problem. I usually use a hands on, “Palmer package” approach. There are other ways to do it which we have available as well.
Chiropractic techniques are the ways I adjust subluxations. In other words these are some of the choices you have as I put together a plan to get you better.
The manual adjustment. This involves finding the spot that needs to move and giving it a gentle (and, if necesary, not so gentle) push. This is the one where things may pop or click. This is why my step-father, Dr. Albrechtson’s nickname is Crack-a-lacker.
The Thompson Drop Table. This uses a table with sections that move about an inch. I get you lined up right and allow the table to do the work. I wil often use wedges or blocks to help get things moving the right way.
Activator Methods. This is a very gentle instrument technique. Nothing pops or clicks and you are not twisted or even pushed in any way. I follow a different protocol with this approach. It works remarkably well with people who are touchy or have situations like recent surgery or advanced osteoporosis.
Pettibon technique. I have attended multiple seminars and read all kinds of materials to familiarize myslef with this advanced structural technique. It employs some advanced protocols with a focus on function and measurable results.
Rehabilitative procedure. Adjustments generally focus on the bones, but there are these things called muscles that must be on board for any degree of change to take place. I use several methods to prepare the body for an adjustment and allow it to accommodate afterwards.
One of the best ways to injure your back is to twist with a heavy load that is far away from your body. Then do it over and over again. Snow shoveling is perfect for this. The cold weather only complicates things by making your muscles less flexible and more prone to tear.
Here are some ideas on how to shovel smarter:
- warm up first. See my video on lower back stretches.
- switch sides. Most of us tend to use our dominant side when doing a strenuous activity. Let other muscles and joints take turns. Alternate your stance every few minutes with one foot in front of the other.
- layer your clothing. That way your muscles can start warm, but you can shed a layer once things get heated up.
- spray your snow shovel with teflon. If the snow doesn’t stick, it won’t be so darn heavy.
- use a shovel that is about chest high. This will help you keep your back straighter when shoveling. Bend your knees.
- don’t throw snow, walk it over to your pile. Avoid twisting.
- If you can help hit, shovel when it is later in the day. Spinal disc injuries usually occur in the mornings because there is more fluid pressure in the discs after resting.
- A regular adjustment to the spine from your chiropractor can keep everything moving well and miniminze discomfort too.
Back in 1492 there was a man who was seen as revolutionary and a little crazy because he had ideas that were not in agreement with all of the great authorities of the day. He thought that maybe, just maybe, if he sailed West, he might not fall off the edge of the earth. Now, everyone knew that the earth was flat. Those ships that went away had to go somewhere–it is only logical that they went right over the edge. Christopher Columbus decided to go against the grain and step outside the box. As a result, we found out that the earth was round and there was a whole other continent out there.
Western society has groomed us to believe that healthcare is found in the next drug. We are told to get a piece cut out of us if part of our body isn’t working right. Health is not found in the medicine cabinet or under the surgeon’s knife. The person with the most perscriptions is certainly not the healthiest. But many of us still look for the next pill as soon as we get “sick”. We don’t get headaches from low ibuprofen in our blood stream. That is just ridiculous.
Your nervous system controls all that happens in your body, much like the conductor of an orchestra. If every musician (i.e. body part) follows the direction of the conductor, beautiful music (i.e. health) is the result. Chiropractic care is not just about back and neck pain (although it works wonderfully well with these conditions). It is the best way to remove interference to the nervous system, allowing the human body to fix itself.
