Headaches: A New Perspective
It's
remarkable to consider how many different types of pain relievers there
are for headaches. Not just the corner drug stores but also
supermarkets, convenience stores, and gas stations keep an abundant
supply. Aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen, is consumed daily in
America by the truckloads.Have
you ever thought about how we approach a health problem or symptom? Too
often it's a knee-jerk reaction where we pop a pill for whatever ill.
Rarely do we ask why there is a headache? What is causing this headache?It
is very well established that there are many causes for headaches.
Chemical imbalances in the body can of course cause head pain such as in
dehydration or intoxication.But
in large part, the pill stock in gas stations isn't targeted to the
occasional hangover, it supplies the masses who suffer with tension
headaches, migraines, and headaches due to mechanical neck disorders
(e.g. whiplash). So what is the pill actually doing chemically? This
varies from pill to pill. The side effects can range from stomach
bleeding, to liver and kidney problems. Most people who take these
medications have pain for years and decades. It is long-term use that is
especially detrimental to the body. Headaches are a chronic disease and
it is likely there will be triggers for you for many years to come.Prescription
NSAIDs and pain pills are usually much more powerful unless you're
doubling up on over-the-counter drugs. With prescription patches and
pills it is easy to get addicted if taken over the long run.But
there is a different way to see the problem than the chemical approach.
Although the mode of action of these different drugs changes, an
important fact remains that they do not treat mechanical problems of the
neck. If your headache is being caused by a joint injury in the neck,
no amount of drug can correct this postural fault. How
would I know if my headache is really a spine problem? It could be that
you notice stiffness in the neck or maybe it's harder to look over one
shoulder. If your headaches are accompanied by a lot of shoulder and
neck stiffness and tension, this is a sign of a spine cause. In some
cases though, the spine symptoms are very mild, so it is easy to see why
patients rarely make the connection in their minds.Several
clinical trials have shown chiropractic adjustments are effective for
patients with tension-type and migraine headaches. Less immediate side
effects were also noted compared to those getting drug treatment.By identifying the cause of your headache, you've changed your thinking to looking past the pain and asking why?
On An Old Problem