Most people have occasional headaches, caused by stress, tension, or even diet. For those patients that have severe headaches or for those who have problems with headaches daily, pain medication may not work, making it difficult for the patient to work, attend to daily chores, and participate in other activities. If a patient is having even just occasional migraines, he or she may be looking for a treatment that targets the actual cause of the headache. At Dr. Nathen Horst’s chiropractic office in Temecula, we frequently perform spinal adjustments to address headaches for patients. Here are some of the most common causes of headaches and their treatments.

Common Headache Causes

Most headaches have a direct cause. Things like skipping meals, stress, poor posture, and lack of sleep can all cause severe headaches. Certain types of food and drink are also known to cause headaches, including alcohol and processed foods. These causes of headaches are known as lifestyle triggers, and eliminating the cause treats the headache. When patients experience chronic headaches, a doctor or chiropractor will find out what lifestyle choices the patient is making in order to rule out any of the above possibilities.

It’s important to remember, however, that not all headaches are caused by a person’s lifestyle. Some headaches are secondary to a more serious problem, such as sinusitis, while others are caused by tension in the muscles of the neck, shoulders, and back. Because the causes of headaches are so varied, the treatment for a headache depends on its cause. A chiropractor will work to determine what is causing the headache and offer adequate treatment to help the patient feel better over time.

Common Headache Treatments

For the occasional headache, lying down in a cool, dark room and taking a nap can help. Patients should also try eliminating processed foods or other potential irritants from the diet. Taking a painkiller, especially one formulated specifically for headaches, may help. However, some headaches do not respond to pain medication, especially in cases in which patients are experiencing chronic headaches or migraines. This leads many patients to seek alternate treatment options such as chiropractic care.

If headaches are caused by tension in the neck or by stress in the musculoskeletal system, a chiropractor can help diagnose and relieve the problem. A chiropractor may use his hands to check the alignment of the spine, and take X-rays to identify potential problem areas. Then, the chiropractor may perform an adjustment and educate the patient on how he or she can alleviate stress and perform regular stretching exercises to reduce the number and severity of headaches. In some cases, patients will need to schedule regular adjustments to keep headaches and migraines at bay. If you are looking for someone who can diagnose and treat your headache problem, consult a chiropractor.

For more information about chiropractic care, patients can contact the experts at Horst Chiropractic. Any of the staff members at the office would be happy to schedule your appointment or answer any of your questions.