To Your Health
March, 2008 (Vol. 02, Issue 03) |
|
|
Chronic Daily Headaches
Chronic daily headache is a combination headache. It's a tension headache that superimposes itself onto the migraine headache - an excruciating combination. Although the severity of the headache leads many people to take heavy pain medications, the headache falls into the category of
chronic dysfunction, not
severe and acute pain (such as post-surgical), which makes pain pills problematic, not only because they are ineffective, but also because they are severely addictive. Instead, try a natural muscle relaxant like 250-500 mg of magnesium. Stress reduction techniques, chiropractic adjustments and other physiotherapy modalities might provide you with a better long-term solution as well.
Tension Headaches
Tension headaches are incredibly common, accounting for 90 percent of all headaches. They are caused by stress or tension in the neck, shoulders and head and are the headache most often addressed by chiropractic and massage therapy. Women are more prone to these types of headaches than men.
A tension headache can occur in the front of the head or in the top or back of the skull. It usually begins in the late afternoon and can last for hours. People with great mental pressure and high anxiety are more likely to suffer from these headaches. Eye strain from dealing with vast amounts of paperwork, reading or long daily hours of computer work also can cause this headache.
The main symptom of a tension headache can be described as a steady, tight band forming around the forehead. It doesn't cause nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light or other discomfort. Patients don't wake up with this headache. Since the stress comes from the neck and shoulder muscles, regular massage can help prevent a stress headache. You also can help yourself by gently stretching the muscles of the neck. When you feel the neck muscles start constricting, place four fingers onto the muscle attachment into the skull. Press your fingers into the muscle as you move your head into your hand, thus creating a slack in the muscles you are trying to stretch. Maintain this pressure and move the hand in circles for at least 20-30 seconds, but no more than two minutes. You should feel the muscle relax and warm up. Repeat this on the other side and massage the other muscles throughout the day.
Stress is a major cause of disease and dysfunction. We can alleviate much of our pain by dealing with stress when it arises. Chiropractic adjustments and massage are some of the easy, preventative solutions available to you. Talk to your doctor today to learn more about effective, long-lasting headache relief.
Migraine Facts
- Migraines are a neurological and vascular disorder.
- More than 28 million Americans suffer from migraines.
- Migraines are familial and often hereditary.
- Migraines can strike at any age.
- Migraines are most common in young adult women and children.
- Routine activity makes the pain worse.
- Migraine episodes last from several hours to several days.
- Environment changes might cause the onset of a migraine headache.
- Certain foods might trigger migraines.
- Too much or too little sleep might trigger a migraine.
- Hormones (especially estrogen fluctuation) might cause migraines. Migraines are commonly linked to a menstrual cycle and early pregnancy.
- Stress and anxiety can lead to migraines.
- Weather or temperature changes can lead to a migraine.
- Bright lights or computer screens might lead to migraine headaches.
- Strong odors and high altitude trigger migraines.
Zhenya K. Wine has practiced and taught Russian medical and sports massage and physiotherapy for 31 years, and runs the Kurashova Institute in Rock Island, Ill.
