I’m sure almost everyone reading this can relate to the pain of a headache. In fact, headaches are one of the most common types of pain people experience on a regular basis. The pain can range from moderate to severe and can be serious enough to impact a person’s life, making it difficult to function at work and in leisure activities. Unfortunately, pain medication is often the first thing that many people reach for and although it may provide the sufferer temporary relief, pain medication doesn’t address the root cause of the headache. In our practice, we see people every day who come to the office suffering from headache pain and are relieved to learn that chiropractic care can help lessen both the severity and incidence of headaches.

So what exactly causes a headache and how can chiropractic help?  Both tension and misalignment cause nerve irritation in the nerve fibres at the base of the neck that connect with the spinal cord. Hours of sitting at your desk at work or spending long periods of time in a fixed posture can lead to joint irritation and muscle tension in the neck, upper back and scalp and cause your head to ache. With a gentle adjustment, the pressure can be taken off the irritated nerves in order to ease the pain of the headache.

If you are among the many people who find themselves sitting at a desk for long periods of time, there are simple exercises that you can do throughout the day to help promote movement in your upper back and neck area. We recommend setting a timer for every hour to remind yourself to stand up, stretch and move your body. Whether it’s stretching on the spot, holding a gentle yoga posture while you breathe deeply, or taking a quick walk around the office or block. Anything you can do to get movement into your body will help to lessen the chance of headaches caused by muscle tension. If you’re unsure which exercises are best for you, be sure to ask us during your next visit to Rice Family Chiropractic. We’ll recommend exercises for you to do throughout the day that are specific to your needs and body. We can also suggest recommendations for proper ergonomics and proper posture to keep neck tension to a minimum.

Another source of headaches is inadequate nutrition and dehydration. Something as simple as not drinking enough water throughout the day can cause dehydration and lead to a headache. Keeping a full bottle of water with you while you’re at your desk, in your car or out and about is a great way to remind yourself to drink enough water and stay hydrated. As well, eating plenty of fresh, healthy foods that are low in refined sugar and additives will help your body get the vitamins and minerals it needs and help keep those pesky headaches at bay.

At Rice Family Chiropractic, we always take a holistic approach to our practice. That means looking after not just our spinal health, but also our mental, spiritual and physical well being. If you have any questions about headaches or anything else relating to your spinal health, please contact us today. Rice Family Chiropractic is located in Langley, BC, serving patients around the lower mainland including Surrey, Walnut Grove, Aldergrove and Abbotsford.