Oh My Aching Head!!

Everyone on the planet has had a headache, and they usually aren’t that big of a deal. But to about 20% of us that are under a “stress overload”, the headaches are chronic and recurrent.

What causes a headache?

Not surprisingly, it usually happens from some type of stress.  A headache can result from a chemical stress (like caffeine withdrawal), emotional stress (like being too self-critical) or a physical stress (like muscle tension) that they body has been unable to properly adapt to.

A headache is not a “brain” ache. Meaning, it isn’t your brain that hurts.

The pain of sensitive structures of the head are the culprits. Did you know that Americans spend more than 2.5 BILLION on aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen (Tylenol) every year? These drugs, apart from their many side effects, treat the symptoms while ignoring the cause of the headache.

While stress, certain foods or alcohol may be the reason for some headaches, a frequent and overlooked cause of headaches may be the misalignment and malfunction of spinal bones and nerves in the upper neck.

What does a bone out of place have to do with headaches?

When spinal nerves, associated tissues and structures are compressed, stretched or otherwise irritated, they can produce abnormal body function with headaches as a common effect. While over the counter drugs may cover up these warning signs that the body is malfunctioning, they do nothing to correct the underlying cause of the headache or the associated bodily malfunction.

Because headaches are so common, many people think that getting a headache is a “normal” part of life. HOW SAD!! A headache is a sign that something else is wrong. (Neither stress nor headaches are caused by having too little ibuprofen in your blood, so taking an ibuprofen is NOT going to correct the underlying problem.)

Talk to me about headaches – I can probably help you!