Headaches can be incredibly frustrating and debilitating, leaving you unable to do the things you need and want to do. A headache is a common condition caused by pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck. They can range from mild to severe and may be localized in one area or widespread. Headaches also can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term). Headaches are so common that nine out of ten people will experience headache symptoms at some point in their life.
Fortunately, there is a tried and true method of relief from headaches through chiropractic care—Applied Kinesiology. Applied Kinesiology is a painless and non-invasive diagnostic technique used by chiropractors to find imbalances within the body, allowing them to effectively find the root causes of painful or inconvenient symptoms you may be experiencing, like headaches! Your chiropractor can then implement a custom treatment plan, just for you, to reduce harsh pain from headaches and re-establish energy and balance in the body while improving your overall health.
Let’s explore what Applied Kinesiology is, how it works for headache relief, and why it’s a great option for those looking for alternative therapies to avoid over the counter medications. Whether you’re struggling with chronic migraines or just occasional tension headaches, read on to find out how this form of natural healing could hold the key to your recovery.
What Causes Headaches?
Headaches can arise from several factors, stemming from a variety of causes ranging from minor to serious. Some common culprits that cause and exacerbate headaches include:
That’s not to mention dehydration, computer screens, alcohol consumption, caffeine intake, and a lack of proper nutrition. By identifying the cause of your headaches with Applied Kinesiology, you can take action to reduce their frequency and severity.
How Can Applied Kinesiology Help Headache Sufferers?
Applied Kinesiology is a fascinating form of holistic health that seeks to balance the body’s systems through muscle testing. For headache sufferers, Applied Kinesiology can be a powerful tool to identify underlying causes of pain and find effective treatment solutions. This alternative therapy takes an approach that focuses on the spine and nervous system, two areas that play a significant role in the onset of headaches. Testing involves evaluating the body’s muscles to identify imbalances and blockages that may be causing your headaches.
Using gentle pressure and manipulation, an Applied Kinesiologist can diagnose the hidden causes of headaches to restore balance to the body’s energy systems, ultimately resulting in headache relief. By examining the patient’s muscle response in different positions and to different stimuli, practitioners of Applied Kinesiology gain insight into imbalances within the body’s systems and determine the most appropriate treatment plan for every patient. With a focus on promoting balance and restoring function to the body’s systems, Applied Kinesiology offers a comprehensive approach to headache relief that can help sufferers find long-lasting relief without relying on drugs or other invasive procedures.
What Treatments are Used For Headaches?
Chiropractors use many different techniques to help relieve headache pain. Once the cause or causes of your headaches have been diagnosed through muscle testing, your chiropractor will create an individualized treatment plan to relieve your pain. Treatments used include manual manipulation, mobilization of the neck, spine and joints, stretching, exercises, soft tissue therapy, ultrasound therapy, electrical stimulation via TENS and other holistic approaches like massage, acupuncture, nutrition counseling, and lifestyle changes. Going beyond in-office sessions, chiropractors also recommend home care such as maintaining proper posture, using self-massage techniques, and managing stress. These treatments can significantly reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches, providing lasting relief from headache pain.
Practical Tips for Minimizing Headaches
Identify and Address Your Stressors
Stress can affect us in many ways, and one of the most common ways stress manifests is through headaches. If you often find yourself dealing with pounding head pain, it could be time to take a step back and identify your stressors. Maybe it’s your workload at your job or perhaps it’s dealing with a difficult relationship. Whatever it is, acknowledging these stressors is a beneficial step towards finding a solution to your headache pain. Once you have identified what is causing your stress, you can begin to address it. This could mean talking to your boss about your workload or finding a new hobby to help you relax. Applied Kinesiology in conjunction with taking steps to address your stressors can lead to fewer headaches and an overall healthier and happier life.
Implement Self-Massage Techniques
Headaches are a common ailment that can cause immense pain and discomfort. While medication can provide temporary relief, self-massage techniques offer a natural solution. By targeting the specific areas of tension in your head, neck, and shoulders, you can alleviate the pain caused by headaches. Some effective techniques include massaging your temples with your fingertips, pressing your palms on your scalp and applying pressure, and using a tennis ball to roll out any tight spots on your neck and shoulders. Incorporating these simple self-massage techniques into your daily routine can help you manage your headache symptoms and feel better overall.
Incorporate Exercise into Your Routine
It’s no secret that incorporating exercise in your daily routine can be incredibly beneficial for your overall health. But did you know it can also help reduce the frequency of headaches? Exercise has been shown to release endorphins, which act as natural painkillers and can help ease the discomfort of a pounding headache. Additionally, it can help reduce stress and tension, which are often culprits behind those stubborn headaches. So next time you feel a headache coming on, consider going for a light walk, doing some yoga, or hitting the gym. Your head (and the rest of your body) will thank you for it! Some other common strategies to reduce headaches include practicing mindfulness, drinking plenty of water, exercising regularly, and taking breaks from screens throughout the day.
Healing Your Headaches
Managing headaches with Applied Kinesiology is a multi-level approach and whether your headaches are due to stress, tension, or a medical condition, we know they can be downright unbearable. By administering spinal adjustments and providing preventative measures, chiropractic care can be an effective way for you to alleviate the pain of your headaches. Self-care practices such as self-massage, stress management, proper posture and proper nutrition can also help to reduce headache frequency and intensity and Applied Kinesiology should be used together with these other methods for lasting relief from headaches.