Headaches and migraines in Beaver Dam and Watertown are debilitating conditions that affect millions of people worldwide. While many individuals rely on medications to manage their symptoms, there is growing interest in chiropractic care as a natural and effective alternative. This article explores how chiropractic care can help treat headaches and migraines, focusing on treating the source and not the symptoms of headaches.

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How Will A Chiropractor Help Me

Chiropractic care is a health profession centered on diagnosing, treating, and preventing mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, with a particular emphasis on the spine. Chiropractors gently align the joints of the body to enable it to heal itself without surgery or medication. Their primary goal is to restore mobility and function to joints that have become restricted by tissue injury, often resulting from traumatic events or repetitive stress.

Since headaches and migraines can often be traced back to issues within the musculoskeletal system, especially in the neck and spine, chiropractic care can address these problems:

1. Spinal Alignment: Misalignments in the spine, particularly in the cervical (neck) area, can lead to headaches or migraines. These misalignments, known as subluxations, can cause nerve irritation and muscle tension, leading to headache pain. Chiropractors use precise spinal adjustments to correct these subluxations, which can reduce nerve irritation and improve spinal function, thereby alleviating headaches.
2. Muscle Tension: Many headaches, including tension headaches, stem from muscle tension and tightness in the neck and shoulders. Chiropractic care often includes therapies such as manual adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and exercises designed to relieve muscle tension and improve blood flow, which can reduce the frequency and severity of headaches.
3. Improving Posture: Poor posture, especially in today's digital age, can contribute to headaches and migraines. “Text neck” is a new term used to describe the position of the neck while a person is on their phone texting, playing games, or on social media. Prolonged periods of sitting, often with poor posture, can strain the neck and upper back. Wesee many people who have desk jobs for this very reason. We provide our patients with ergonomic advice and exercises to improve posture, helping to prevent headaches associated with postural issues.

If you think of your head as a bowling ball, the further away from the body it gets, the heavier it is. The more your head moves forward, away from your shoulders, the more strain it places on the muscles that are trying to hold your head directly over your shoulders. Improving your postures helps to relieve muscle strain resulting in less headaches.

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Chiropractic Care Is Not Limited To Spinal Adjustments

Chiropractors often adopt a holistic approach to health, incorporating lifestyle modifications, nutritional advice, and stress management techniques. This comprehensive approach can help address the root causes of headaches and migraines rather than merely alleviating symptoms.

1. Lifestyle and Ergonomics: As mentioned earlier, chiropractors can provide guidance on improving posture, ergonomics, and daily habits that contribute to headache triggers. Simple changes, such as adjusting your workstation or practicing proper lifting techniques, can make a significant difference.
2. Nutritional Counseling: Certain foods and dietary habits can trigger headaches and migraines as well. I have my Masters in Nutrition and use it daily to help people avoid foods that may be triggering their problems. Even not drinking enough water in a day is a common trigger for people suffering from headaches and migraines. Finding the source of your headaches can be a great help in managing them.
3. Stress Management: Chronic stress is a well-known trigger for headaches and migraines. Headaches caused by stress are typically referred to as tension headaches. Chiropractors can recommend relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, and mindfulness practices, to help manage stress and reduce headache frequency.

Chiropractic care offers a promising alternative for individuals seeking relief from headaches and migraines. By addressing the root causes of these ailments through spinal adjustments, muscle tension reduction, nervous system regulation, and holistic lifestyle changes, chiropractic care can provide lasting benefits. If you suffer from headaches or migraines, give us a call to start treating the source to achieve better health and well-being.

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Contact Us Today

At our Wellness Class we will discuss the different types of headaches and the best way to treat each one through chiropractic care and lifestyles changes. As always, I will be available to answer questions so bring your questions and get ready to learn! Please join us at our Beaver Dam location for this FREE class on Tuesday, August 20th at 5:30pm. You do not need to be a patient to attend.

Yours in Health,
Dr. Stephanie Tyjeski

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Dr. Stephanie graduated in December 2016 with her Doctorate in Chiropractic at Logan University. She continued on at Logan University to receive her Masters in Nutrition and Human Performance. She is also certified as a Digestive Health Professional through the Loomis Enzyme Institute. She currently works at Tyjeski Family Chiropractic and Wellness Center andrecently received the Five Under Forty Award for being one of the area’s brightest young leaders.