Chiropractic Approach to Tension Headaches and Neck Pain

Chiropractic Approach to Tension Headaches and Neck Pain

In my San Diego chiropractic clinic we treat hundreds of people each year with headaches.  Some of the more common types of headaches that we see are the: migraine headache, cluster headache, caffeine headache, vascular headache, spinal headache and tension headaches.

Like its’ label implies, muscle tension headaches occur secondary to hypertonic or overly tight muscles.  In many cases, the muscle tension that causes the headache is a direct result of neck pain or dysfunction.  This article will focus on the tension headache because it is the most common type of headache and the type most often linked to neck pain.

This article will describe in both how and why some people get tension headaches and what can be done for them both at home and with chiropractic care.

To begin with, most people think of their skull as being covered only with skin.  What many don’t know is that underneath the skin lies a thin layer of muscle.  Another well known fact regarding muscle tension headaches is that the pain that the patient feels is from these muscles, not from the brain. 

Most of the time this layer of muscle that covers the skull maintains normal resting muscle tone.  During these times, the patients are free from the effects of muscle tension and the resulting headaches. 

Stress, whether from work, home or social situations can cause these muscles to tighten.  Think of an irritated persons’ furrowed brow.  This reaction to stress can cause the muscles covering the skull to spasm resulting in muscle tension and a tension headache.  Typically, the headache will fade as the muscle spasm resolves.

Another common source of muscle tension headaches is the neck and upper back.  There is a thin layer of muscle that connects the top vertebra in your neck to the base of your skull.  This muscle group is known as the suboccipital muscles.   When we are stressed or injured (as in a whiplash accident), the neck muscles can tighten and spasm resulting in neck pain, back pain and muscle tension headaches as well.

There are many muscle groups and layers of muscle that overlap in the neck and upper back.  Chronic tightness of these muscles can also trigger the onset of a chronic headache.  If indeed your headache is caused by muscle tension, it will certainly improve as the muscle tension decreases.

Headache relief can come from several different treatments.  A common home remedy for headache involves the use of ice packs.  Ice packs can be applied to the head or neck in 20 minute sessions.  Ice packs will remove inflammation built up in the muscles and calm the nerves.  Teaching yourself relaxation techniques can also be very effective if you carry the proper mindset. 

Muscle tension headaches also result from minor misalignments of the vertebra in the neck called subluxations that can trigger muscle spasms and pain that create the headache.  Subluxations irritate the joints of the spine and the associated nerves resulting in the muscle tightening (spasm) around the joint as a protective mechanism. 

Chiropractic adjustments help restore the normal healthy balance of the muscles that move and support the spine.  A healthy spine is not bound by muscle tension and much less likely to trigger a muscle tension headache.  A treatment program with an experienced chiropractor can result in dramatic improvements in patients suffering from chronic muscle tension headaches.


Writers Bio


Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.

Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs. www.JonesPainRelief.com


Call Steve Jones at his San Diego Chiropractic Clinic

(619) 280 0554

Dr. Steve Jones (619) 280-0554
10393 San Diego Mission Rd Suite 130,
San Diego.
CA. 92108 


www.jonespainrelief.com

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Visit my San Diego Chiropractic Website to make an appointment

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Chiropractic, headaches, migraine, tension headache, neck pain, muscle tension

Low Back Pain Treatment

Low Back Pain Treatment

I have been practicing chiropractic care in San Diego for the last 15 years.  In that time I have seen many different types of lower back injuries that all generate some level of back pain or disability.  Back pain severity can range anywhere from a mild ache to an intense, severe bout that can cause total disability.

For most of these people, the joint most likely to be involved is the sacroiliac joint.  We have two sacroiliac joints.  They are located just to the left and right sides of the spine at your beltline.  These joints are both the largest and the strongest joints in your spine.  They have the largest muscles and the strongest ligaments to provide for their movement and support.

These joints also have a close relationship with the bottom two vertebra of your lumbar spine.  The sacroiliac joints are attached to the L4 L5 vertebra with ligaments that essentially create a situation in which the health of each of these joints is dependent on the health of the other adjacent joints.

The L4 L5 S1 and sacroiliac joint complex is very durable while allowing a great range of motion.  This joint complex, however, is also subjected to incredible levels of stress as a result of poor posture, sitting, sports injuries and improper lifting techniques.  Patients who sustain injuries in this area are dumbfounded that they cannot recall any particular injury that “threw their back out”. 

Like any other joint in your body, the sacroiliac joints weaken and eventually are injured by ongoing low levels of stress.  We often see people who have suffered a severe back injury involving the sacroiliac joints following an activity such as picking a sock up off the floor or some other mundane task.  An injury following a task such as this indicates a long standing problem that should be addressed by a competent chiropractor.

Low back injuries that are not promptly addressed with formal therapy can easily become chronic leading to more severe aggravations in the future.     


Writers Bio


Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.

Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.


Call Steve Jones at his San Diego Chiropractic Clinic

(619) 280 0554

Dr. Steve Jones (619) 280-0554
10393 San Diego Mission Rd Suite 130,
San Diego.
CA. 92108 

www.jonespainrelief.com

Visit our Adjustable Economical Mouse Pad website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav

Visit my San Diego Chiropractic Website to make an appointment

Read More Articles on Chiropractic, Nutrition, Preventative Health, Back pain, Neck Pain and more

Medical Myths Overheard in a Chiropractors Office

Medical Myths Overheard in a Chiropractors Office

In my San Diego based Chiropractic clinic, I hear wives tales regarding health and fitness all the time.  The one that I hear most often doesn’t have anything to do with neck pain or back pain – it has to do with knuckle cracking.  It seems that almost everyones’ parents have told them “Don’t crack your knuckles, they will get big and full of arthritis when you are older!”  Believe it or not, this is not true.  Cracking joints that are weight bearing ie, your neck, back, knees and ankles, etc can be harmful if you are not a trained chiropractor, but cracking your knuckles is only irritating to other people.

A study was just released that examined 7 common medical myths that are being circulated today.  They are as follows:

Two US researchers took seven common beliefs and searched the archives for evidence to support them.

Despite frequent mentions in the popular press of the need to drink eight glasses of water, they found no scientific basis for the claim.

The complete lack of evidence has been recorded in a study published the American Journal of Psychology, they said.

The other six "myths" are:

Reading in dim light ruins your eyesight

The majority of eye experts believed it was unlikely to do any permanent damage, but it might make you squint, blink more and have trouble focusing, the researchers said.

Shaving makes hair grow back faster or coarser

It has no effect on the thickness or rate of hair regrowth, studies say. But stubble lacks the finer taper of unshaven hair, giving the impression of coarseness.

Eating turkey makes you drowsy

It does contain an amino acid called tryptophan that is involved in sleep and mood control. But turkey has no more of the acid than chicken or minced beef. Eating lots of food and drink at Christmas are probably the real cause of sleepiness.

We use only 10 per cent of our brains

This myth arose as early as 1907 but imaging shows no area of the brain is silent or completely inactive.

Hair and fingernails continue to grow after death

This idea may stem from ghoulish novels. The researchers said the skin dries out and retracts after death, giving the appearance of longer hair or nails.

Mobile phones are dangerous in hospitals

Despite widespread concerns, studies have found minimal interference with medical equipment.

The research was conducted by Aaron Carroll, an assistant professor of pediatrics at the Regenstrief Institute, Indianapolis, and Rachel Vreeman, fellow in children's health services research at Indiana University School of Medicine.

I hope that you enjoyed this information.  Happy Holidays!

More Soon



Writers Bio


Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.

Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs. www.JonesPainRelief.com



Call Steve Jones at his San Diego Chiropractic Clinic

(619) 280 0554

www.jonespainrelief.com

Visit our Adjustable Economical Mouse Platform website to learn more about or Buy Ergo Nav

Visit my San Diego Chiropractic Website to make an appointment

Read More Articles on Chiropractic, Nutrition, Preventative Health, Back pain, Neck Pain and more