6 Reasons to Choose Natural Headache Cures Over Medications for Migraines

Headache sufferers can live their lives in frequent misery. While there are many natural cures for headaches that can help in the long run, tools for immediate relief of headaches are a strong need.

Far too many headache sufferers turn to medications to cure their headaches, but in no situation does the medication actually fix what is causing the headache in the first place. Many drugs use to treat headaches merely stop one brain cell from communicating with its neighbor, but do not make the original, problematic brain cell any healthier.

One very common medication used to treat headaches (most often migraine type headaches, although it is not uncommon for a prescription to be written for a tension-type headache as well) is amitriptyline, the most common prescription being Elavil. This class of drugs blocks both the serotonin and norepinephrine uptake in the brain (SNRI). As noted, this pathway has little to do with what actually causes the headaches in the first place, but can stop to progression of the signal from one brain cell to the next.

While there are many natural approaches for headache sufferers to use that can have strong effects on symptom, frequency and duration of the headaches, controlling stress remains one of the most powerful tools.

Acute stress is actually very good for the brain. If you think about it, this makes a lot of sense. If we had a Saber tooth tiger jump out of the underbrush looking to attack us, the last thing we want is for our brain to get all fuzzy and kick off a headache. Instead, acute stress snaps our brain and the way our neurons are firing into attention. Otherwise, as a species, we wouldn't be here on this planet.

Chronic stress, on the other hand, has a very detrimental role in brain function. Much of it is focused around the hormone cortisol and one of the derivatives of cortisol called tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone (THDOC). In acute situations this compound has a strongly anti-seizure, anti-migraine effect. However, in the long term with chronic stress, the same compound becomes very pro-seizure and pro-migraine. So, stress is a major trigger of both headaches and seizures. This is most likely due to this particular hormone.

So, it all boils back down to needing to manage our stress with a variety of different tools to keep stress levels under control. Ideally, any stress we experience should be the short term brain protective stress rather than the long term chronic brain damaging stress.

There's a lot of ways to calm the brain and keep one neuron from inappropriately firing to its unsuspecting neighbor and creating a migraine or a seizure.

One very powerful method to calm the brain that has been around for several thousand years is meditation. It can be as complex as a meditation course or can be as simple as a relaxation CD that you'd buy used at a bookstore for $5. The choice of methods is up to the individual.

A recent study compared the effectiveness of using amitriptyline vs hypnotic relaxation that was done in the neurologist's office. The results were very encouraging:

1) Over half (58%) chose hypnotic relaxation over the drug approach
2) The patients who used higher levels of analgesics were more likely to choose amitriptyline
3) When given a choice to later switch groups, over 5X the number of patients chose to switch over to hypnosis vs drugs
4) 74% of patients in hypnotic relaxation group had a good response (50% or greater improvement)
5) Only 58% of patients in the amitriptyline group had the same response
6) Long term adherence with hypnotic relaxation was greater than the drug

Meditation has been shown to actually calm the brain. These are based on EEG studies where we see less brain activity during meditation. Realize that there's no other time that the brain truly quiets down. Even in sleep the brain is very active. It's only during meditation that we start to see brain waves and brain activity slow down. So, meditation is wonderful for affecting that in a positive way.

Other ways are biofeedback. There is actually a device called the RESPeRATE that's FDA approved to lower blood pressure and is basically a biofeedback device for breathing. The device is used by putting on headphones and listening to the tones that indicate when to breathe in and when to breathe out. During this time period, you find that your focus is entirely on your breathing. Once that happens, you're not focusing on anything else, which is essentially a form of meditation that allows the brain to quiet down. In our office we've had people who are in the middle of an anxiety attack use the RESPeRATE. In 15 minutes they are a completely relaxed person.

There are other devices similar to the RESPeRATE. One uses visual stimuli where you focus on certain designs with specific music playing in the background, and you find that the focus becomes so intense on what you are hearing and seeing that it gives the brain a chance to rest and not think about everything else that contributes to your stress levels.

We live in a society that stresses us out beyond anything that any society has ever come across before. It's work, it's home - these stressors don't ever seem to go away. Our body deals well with acute stress, but it's the chronic stress that really starts to break down our brain.

These tools and others can help to calm your brain, but you also need to take a good look at your life and what is stressing you and do whatever it takes to start to remove the stresses or learn to not let them go. Quite frankly, whatever you're stressing about today, and probably the next 10 things you're going to stress about tomorrow, really aren't going to matter. They're going to happen whether or not you stress about them. However, we seem to stress more about the things that are most out of our control. Does this not seem ridiculous? If they're out of our control, what's the point of stressing over them? And, there is no doubt that your stress levels are destroying your brain slowly, piece by agonizing piece.

For more info read: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1526-4610.2011.02055.x/abstract
More on the Resperate: http://lifecarechiropractic.com/blog/general-information/product-reviews/resperate-reviews-and-cuts-down-stress-in-15-minutes/

Dr. Bogash has a passion for understanding physiology, the medical research and how the combination of these two can lower the risk of disease or manage current chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, hypertension, obesity, osteoporosis or heart disease. Visit http://lifecarechiropractic.com/blog/?p=blogroll to sign up for Dr. Bogash's Rantings, a biweekly email that summarizes the daily blog posts related to improving society's health.

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Tension Headache Remedies - Top 3 OTC Drugs That Deliver Fast Results

In today's times, stress is inevitable. Many individuals get stressed for different reasons. It could be because of their daily tasks at work or from projects and assignments they have at school. As you may be aware of, pressure brought about by stress can lead to health problems. One of which is tension headache. Good thing though there are tension headache remedies that can easily deliver you from pain.

In terms of tension headaches, not all people seek medical attention. They think that this condition will normally go away. They perceive it to be the same with ordinary headaches. Self-medication with the help of over-the-counter pain relievers should not be overused. In looking for remedies for this, there is a variety of medications that can reduce the pain. Some of the drugs that can stop existing headache attack are the following:

1. Narcotics and Triptans

If you are suffering from both episodic tension headaches and migraines, triptans can help alleviate the pain. There are various studies showing how tripans relieve even the worst symptoms of headache. Opiates or narcotics are rarely used compared with triptans because of their adverse effects, but they too are effective in providing pain relief. Tripans can be injected. Some of the injectable forms of it include sumatriptan. They are good remedies for patients suffering from long-term headaches.

2. Pain Relievers or Analgesics

Simple over-the-counter analgesics are some of the best tension headache remedies readily available. Compared with other cures available, these drugs are the cheapest option. Analgesics are usually considered as the first line of treatment for alleviating headache pain. Some of the pain relievers that can help you out include aspirin, naproxen sodium, ibuprofen, naproxen, ketorolac, mefenamic acid, acetaminophen, and indomethacin.

3. Combination Drugs

In cases of severe tension headaches, there are some doctors who prescribe their patients with combination drugs. Meaning, you are directed to combine two different drugs in order to achieve the pain relief you need. Excedrin, which is made up of acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine, is one of the most prescribed combination medicines for pain relief. There are some patients who consider combination drugs more effective than the single-ingredient pain relievers. Unlike the single-ingredient pain medications, these drugs need to be taken with prescription from your physician. Long-term use can lead to addiction or can worsen your headache.

Tension headache remedies help relieve the symptoms and pain of headache. A friendly reminder for patients out there - never use these drugs for a long time. Moreover, educate yourself on the benefits and risks of taking these medicines. That way, you know what drugs should not be taken together with your headache medicines.

If your headache is caused by the tension you acquire from work, school or from doing your daily chores, you need to visit http://www.headacheremediescenter.com/ for some effective tension headache remedies.

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Your Headache May Be Coming From Your Neck, Not Your Sinuses

Many people suffer from what are believed to be sinus headaches. These are the headaches that cause discomfort and hurt over the front of the face and forehead. Some people even get sinus infections which it is felt, lead to sinus headaches. Surprisingly however, a recent study from November 2011 begs to differ. Researchers had 58 patients who clearly seemed to have sinusitis, which is a sinus irritation, examined by specialists including a neurologist and an ear, nose and throat specialist, called an otolaryngologist. The examination found that only 3 of the patients had a sinus problem. The remaining 55 did not have a sinus condition but were instead suffering from migraine and tension-type headaches.

This, of course, means that many people having headaches are being misdiagnosed and consequently treated inappropriately with antibiotics and possibly with sinus surgery. It is commonly known that antibiotic therapy has side effects: stomach and intestinal irritation, nausea and if one is allergic antibiotics, a potentially life-threatening condition called anaphylactic shock. Also it has been recommended that antibiotics only be prescribed if, and only if, there is a confirmed bacterial infection. This is mainly because it has been found that bacteria are progressively becoming immune to our common antibiotics. If this trend continues, the day may come when we are unable to treat bacterial infections effectively with any medication. None of us want to return to a world where one has to be gravely worried over a small skin cut or scrape. Sinus surgery has the potential risks of complications of anesthesia and operation-caused infections.

If migraine and tension headaches are the true source of the headaches, what is to be done in the way of treatment?

Fortunately a wise choice in the treatment of headaches is chiropractic care. One research publication released in 2010 found that both migraine and tension-type headaches actually come from irritated areas in the upper bones of the neck, called vertebrae, which can irritate nerves and joints which is where the headaches originate. By using various forms of gentle, safe manipulation, chiropractic treatment is also a very cost-effective approach to helping this disabling condition. Chiropractors in the United States are licensed and regulated by the state in with they practice and take on going continuing education classes.

Instead of possible inappropriate treatment of antibiotics or surgery for sinus headaches, the treatment of choice has been found to be best performed by doctors of chiropractic.

To learn more about chiropractic care in pittsburgh please visit Dr. James Schofield's website here: Pittsburgh Chiropractor.

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Finding A Common Headache Cure You Can Try

The most common headache cures involve the drinking of water and applying a cold compress to your head where the pain is located. Water helps to hydrate your body and flush out toxins. Many headaches are caused by dehydration. Most individuals aren't even aware they are dehydrated. At the first onset of a headache, make sure you drink plenty of water. Applying ice to the painful area of the head allows the inflamed areas to relax. Both of these natural remedies will help a great deal with your headache pain.

Another headache cure you can try is to press your index fingers onto your temples. Applying this simple pressure and actually massaging the area gently can provide a great amount of relief. Squeezing the bridge of your nose can also provide this same type of relief. This is due hitting certain pressure points. Acupuncture therapy is based on these concepts and could be considered if your headaches persist over time.

Caffeine has often been known as a common headache cure. This is true to a point. Caffeine in small doses can actually thin the blood causing some relief on the pressure of the headache. However, large amounts of caffeine can actually cause headaches. So it is important to be careful at the amount of caffeine you intake on a daily basis.

A recently common headache cure is the use of various herbal supplements. This headache cure is becoming more popular as more and more naturopaths have demonstrated the benefits of these substances. Some common herbs shown to aid with headache pain include:
MelatoninCayenneMagnesiumVitamin B2Ginkgo Biloba

Before using any herb it is important to make sure you have discussed this with your physician. Some herbs may actually react with any current prescription medications you may be taking.

Quite often, if you are not a chronic headache sufferer, you headache may be caused by fatigue. Fatigue headaches usually go away after you get enough rest and/or nutrition. Ensuring you get a good night sleep, eat right and get some exercise during the day should take care of these type of headaches. If you do experience fatigue headache and you can't take a quick nap, drinking a Sports drink can help ease the symptoms. Getting a boost of vitamins and electrolytes found in these type of drinks can ease the symptoms of your headache.

Common headache cures are often enough for you to get rid of your headache pain. However, as previously mentioned if you do experience frequent headaches, don't hesitate to consult your doctor.

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Cervicogenic Headache

Nothing can be quite as debilitating as a headache brought on at the wrong time. Most of us have experienced a headache at some point or another. What most people don't realize is that there are different types of headaches, and furthermore many different causative factors.

When discussing headache, the first distinction that we make is whether it's of a primary or secondary classification. Primary headaches are those that are not due to a secondary disease state or disorder. Some common examples of a primary headache are tension headaches, migraine headaches and cluster headaches. Secondary headaches are those related to another disease process. Examples of a secondary headache include those resulting from stroke, infection, thrombosis, myocardial infarction, neck or head trauma, inflammation, or seizure, to name a few.

For the purposes of this article we will be discussing cervicogenic headaches, which are of the secondary classification. Cervicogenic headache refers to a headache that is an outcome of stressed or irritated structures in or around the cervical spine. Common tissues causing the cervicogenic headache are the scalenes, the sterno-cleido-mastoid, and the sub occipital musculature.

The afore-mentioned tissues have very specific referral patterns in the head and neck. We will start with the sterno-cleido- mastoid, or SCM for short. Sterno-cleido-mastoid refers to the 3 attachment points for this particular tissue. The name refers to sterno for sternum, cleido for clavicle, and mastoid for the mastoid process or conical-shaped section of the temporal bone just behind the ear. The SCM is commonly injured in whiplash injuries. It can also become tight or irritated for those that are consistent stomach sleepers. The standard referral pattern for headaches generated from irritation of this tissue is into the jaw, around the eye and into the forehead.

The sub occipital musculature refers to a grouping of four particular tissues: the obliqus capitus inferior, the obliqus capitus inferior, the rectus capitus major, and the rectus capitus minor. These tissues are roughly in the area where the head meets the neck, or more specifically just under the occipital bone. The sub occipital musculature can be injured in whiplash injuries, repetitive strain injuries or can even become irritated from postural dysfunction. Common referral headaches from this tissue generally affect the posterior skull and vertex of the head. These types of headaches can at times illicit visual changes as well.

The trapezius muscle is a large muscle that extends from the occiput to the mid thoracic spine. It also extends laterally out to the scapulae. For the purposes of this discussion we will be talking about the upper portion of the trapezius, or upper trap for short. Referral pain from damage or irritation of the upper trap usually affects the postero-lateral neck, the jaw or mandible, and/or the temple.

Cervicogenic headaches can be a result of trauma to the neck and head, whiplash injuries, postural anomalies, structural malformations of the body or even the way that we sleep. While cervicogenic headaches are very treatable from a chiropractic standpoint, headaches can also be an indication of more serious pathology. When in doubt, it's always best to be evaluated by you local health professional.

La Jolla Chiropractor
San Diego chiropractor
Chiropractor 92037 92036 92038
Neck Pain
Low back pain

Also see: http://www.sandiegospinedoc.com/

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Symptoms and Signs of a Headache

While people may experience different symptoms associated with headaches, there are many commonalities. Headaches can cause minor or severe pain and are identified as several different types.

Headaches are generally a pain in the head, between the eyes and often across the forehead and behind the eyes. A dull, aching pain is associated with headaches along with weariness, slight to severe fatigue and difficulty concentrating.

The most common headache is the tension headache. Symptoms of a tension headache vary among people, but most tension headaches cause pain in the front, sides and top of the head and sometimes in all of those areas. The pain associated with tension headaches is described as throbbing and constant and can be mild or moderate. Tension headaches are very common and most people report that tension headaches are more likely to occur in the middle of day and can last as little as a few minutes or half hour up to several days.

Tension headaches can present symptoms on and off and ranging in severity. If a person is presenting these types of symptoms more often and over a prolonged period of time, it can be identified as chronic tension headaches. The pain from chronic tension headaches gradually increases throughout the day and comes in waves of severity. If a person is experiencing this type of pain associated with headaches, it is often interfering with normal everyday routines and ability to concentrate. People with headache symptoms for more than half the days in a month are identified as chronic tension headache sufferers.

Moving from the general symptoms of headaches like dull, throbbing pain across the head in a band-like form, people can also have headache pain that causes more troublesome consequences. Other pain from tension headaches can strike upon awakening and cause one to even wake up due to throbbing head pain. Similarly, the pain can discourage sleep and cause someone to have trouble falling asleep. Concentration is affecting by this headache pain with difficulty staying focused. Symptoms also include irritability and fatigue as well as trouble looking at computer screens and televisions, a common daily occurrence in many people's lives and workdays. Some affected by these types of headaches also report muscle aches and slight sensitivity to light.

Beyond typical symptoms of headaches like dull throbbing pain over time causing disruption in your day, headaches can escalate into a more severe type called migraines. Migraines cause acute pain behind and between the eyes, sometimes triggering nausea, sinus problems and general achy muscles. Those people affected by migraines often have severe sensitivity to light. Migraine sufferers report that being in a cool dark room can help with the symptoms of migraines.

Pain in all areas of the head and even neck are associated with migraines. They can interfere with people's everyday tasks and often require the person to lie down and rest until the migraine passes. Over-the-counter medicines may not help relieve migraines. Often doctors will prescribe a medication to take right away or soon after the symptoms of a migraine begin. Those symptoms often come on quickly with intense pain between the eyes, an inability to focus, sensitivity to light, watery eyes and sinus pressure. Drowsiness and irritability have also been reported with migraines.

Generally, headaches present dull, aching band in a band-like fashion across the head causing mild, moderate or severe pain depending on the person. They can present many different symptoms and affect people differently, and may occur sporadically or more consistently depending on the person.

Would you understand what I meant by 'TMJ'? Not many people do but thousands of us each year suffer with TMJ headaches that are painful and persistent. Perhaps you have found yourself experiencing TMJ Dizziness which is confused with a simple headache? Empower your knowledge which will lead to a better diagnosis and therefore quicker treatment by visiting the only dedicated TMJ for headaches website.

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Natural Sinus Headache Relief - Ways to Prevent Sinus Headaches

Nowadays, more and more people are discovering the wonders of alternative medicine in treating certain diseases. There is no point in denying that over-the-counter drugs and medicines are effective. They work fast and they are convenient to use. However, there are several adverse effects brought by these drugs. As a result, patients with sinusitis switch to natural sinus headache relief methods.

Understanding the Efficacy of Natural Cures

In treating sinusitis, many question whether natural relief is as effective as OTC drugs. There are people who prefer conventional medicine because they feel that home remedies do not work as fast. Meanwhile, there are some patients who swear by natural medicines saying that they are effective and safe.

Natural sinus headache relief may come in any form. Sinusitis can be treated by home remedies or with the help of simple lifestyle changes.

Ways to Deal with Sinus Headache

In treating sinus headaches, the first thing that you need to do is to consult with your physician. The best way to attend to this condition is to determine the underlying cause of sinus inflammation. If you got it because of flu or common colds, you need to strengthen your immune system. If you develop it because of unhealthy lifestyle practices, then you need to modify or alter your habits to prevent the condition from getting worse.

Some of natural relief methods include the following:

1. Get rid of vices- First and foremost, smoking can further aggravate your condition. Stop smoking cigarettes and everything else will follow.

2. Ginger mask- Ginger is not only an ingredient in most dishes. It can help cure various ailments including sinus headaches. Get a whole piece of ginger, peel off the skin, and slice it into several pieces. Mash it up and mix it with water or milk. Apply the mixture to your forehead for several minutes. This can help relieve mild to severe headache. Repeat every 30 minutes.

3. Aromatherapy oils- Eucalyptus, lavender, and jasmine oils can help throbbing headache from sinusitis. Put them around your bedroom and rest. Aromatherapy oils can help your body relax and lessen the intensity of your headache.

4. Inhale steam- Another effective cure is a steam bath. Take a warm bath, let the water run, and inhale the steam. Do this at least twice a day. Breathing in steam can clear up your clogged nose. This can provide you with instant relief.

If you are suffering from this, think no further. Consider doing any of the mentioned natural sinus headache relief methods and free yourself from all the suffering. You can even try all of them to see which is the most effective.

If you are suffering from sinus headaches, check out http://www.sinusheadachereliefcenter.com/ and find out all the natural sinus headache relief options that you can do at home.

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How You Can Cure The Incurable Headache

Have you ever suffered from a headache? If yes, then you know how uncomfortable it could be. Headaches can paralyze you for days, weeks and even months! Headaches can make your life miserable. But despite the fact that more than 10 million Americans suffer from headaches, traditional medicine cannot really offer a cure. Because the most common approach is simply giving a pill to treat the symptoms, it looks like we might be doomed to a lifetime of Excedrin and days lost. Is there anything else that can be done?

The better approach would be to find the root cause of the problem and eliminate it. Sounds simple, so why don't they do it in every medical office? Because in real life it is not that easy. Let me give you an example.

A middle-aged, pleasant lady came to my office complaining of chronic headaches crippling her life. She was seen by multiple doctors without getting help. The last doctor she saw advised her to check for possible hormone imbalances and she came to see me. I created a list of possible causes:
Migraines, a poorly understood condition, is probably related to hormone imbalance. She was at an age when hormonal decline was there for sure.
Tension headaches that can be related to depression. Even though she denies it, she did not look happy. So depression was still on my list.
Headaches, secondary to excessive coffee intake. Yes! She was drinking several cups of coffee every day. But she said that could give it up without a problem.
Excessive alcohol intake can also cause headaches. But she denied drinking alcohol, except socially.
Head tumors are notoriously known as a reason for chronic headaches. But her regular doctor had an MRI done that ruled out any brain mass.
Not enough sleep can cause chronic headaches. And it was definitely a problem, because her sleep was not great and not long enough.
Electrolyte imbalance, especially magnesium deficiency, can be the cause of chronic headaches. Magnesium is necessary to relax. Not enough magnesium because of low greens in your diet and/or soil depletion, and you can't relax your head muscles, resulting in chronic headaches. But her magnesium was normal.
Certain foods as well as food additives like chocolate, cheeses, MSG and sulfides can cause headaches. But from many years of suffering from headaches she learned all about that foods and additives and stayed away from them.
Allergies, like food allergies, causing sinusitis, can be the cause. And she indeed was suffering from frequent sinusitis and food allergies.
Even a hole in the heart can cause severe headaches. But her echo-cardiogram did not show any hole.
Do not forget about too much stress in our life. It can cause anything from headaches to even death. And this is understandable: we are not designed to sustain that much stress. Humans are hunters/gatherers intended to work only 2-3 hours a day. Can you imagine? But how many hours do you work a day? Your spouse?

What we did first was deal with her hormonal imbalance and food allergies. And though she did respond initially, she was still suffering from headaches. We continued to look for the cause. I was hoping that specific imaging studies would help and was waiting for more information. And then came the answer.

She went to a different continent for a week. And a miracle happened: no more headaches over there. But they returned as soon as she came back. What it meant was: allergic inflammation in the sinuses! And then the imaging studies came: a lot of problems in the nose and sinuses with blockage.

She went for surgery and did well after that.

Treating headaches for this woman, and for so many others who don't even seek the proper treatment can be much more complicated than popping a pain reliever every four to six hours.
Are you suffering from headaches?How often?What do you do to get rid of them?

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Headache Care and What To Expect On Your First Visit To A Chiropractor

Many people suffer from tension headaches. In fact, four percent of the adult United States population have headaches on a daily basis. Approximately 7 million people suffer from headaches at least every other day, which translates into millions of lost workdays and severely impacts work efficiency.

In medical terms, a stress or tension headache is called a cervicogenic headache which means it originates with irritated nerves and joints in the upper neck, and refers pain into the head.

There is much research and anecdotal evidence that chiropractic care can help headaches. This article will describe a typical first visit to a chiropractor to determine if a patient can be helped by chiropractic therapy, or if the patient would best be seen by another health practitioner.

As with all visits to a doctor you will be asked to give some written information. This information will allow you to detail when your headaches originally began, how often the headaches occur, how the headaches vary in pain intensity, what other doctors and specialists you have seen, and any diagnostic testing you have previously had.

Next, you will meet with the chiropractor so that you can talk further about your headaches. He will want to know in which areas of your head you feel the pain. For instance, some people get headaches in the back of the head, where others get pain in the side of the head or around the temples. Still others get pain in the forehead or around the eyes or frontal sinuses. The doctor of chiropractic will want to know if anything triggers or causes your headaches to begin. Examples of this would be: fatigue, stress, posture, work station set-up, certain foods, and weather or environmental factors. It will be helpful for the chiropractor to know if you have had loss or disturbance of vision or hearing, weakness, or loss of consciousness. The chiropractor will ask of there is anything you do on your own to help your headaches such as take medication, use ice or heat applications or rub an ointment or cream on specific areas. It is always helpful to know how your headaches might keep you from being able to sleep normally, perform chores in the yard or at home, do your usual job and employment duties, enjoy social activities, sports, or hobbies.

Next, the chiropractor will want to check you physically. Palpation, or feeling the upper neck, might reveal muscle tightness or spasm, swelling and inflammation, and pressure points of tenderness. Checking for proper movements of the head and neck might show a loss of the normal range of motion of the neck. Looking at your posture might show that a "slouched" upper body appearance may be causing or contributing to your discomfort. There are neurological tests and orthopedic tests that the chiropractor has been thoroughly trained in that will be helpful in rendering a diagnosis.

Following this, the chiropractor may take x-rays of your neck which might show signs of misalignment, degeneration, or arthritis. The chiropractor will also inspect for fractures, dislocations or bone destruction.

Once these steps have been accomplished, the chiropractor can determine a diagnosis and be able to give you a good idea if your condition is one in which he might be able to help, and accept your case.

Many people suffering from headaches have responded well to chiropractic therapy. If you have seen other doctors and tried other types of care but have not seen a chiropractor for you headaches, it is certainly a prudent next step. If the chiropractor can help you, he will let you know. If he can't, he will tell you that also and make an appropriate referral to someone else.

To learn more about chiropractic care in Pittsburgh please visit Dr. James Schofield's website here: Pittsburgh Chiropractor.

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Migraines - Not Just Your Average Headache!

There's nothing quite so debilitating as a headache right in the middle of a day that should have been productive. Your kids are screaming or there's work to be done or you're trying to sleep, and out of nowhere the headache bus takes a wrong turn and collides with your head. While average headaches can slow you down a bit, migraine headaches can stop you in your tracks and knock you straight onto your back. Roughly 23 percent of the American population suffer from migraine headache. The statistics say that migraines have a slightly feminine predisposition. Women are three times as likely as men to experience the onset of headache. Migraine is most common in the thirty-five to forty-five age group.

So how are migraines different from your average, run of the mill headache? Migraine headache is usually characterized by pulsing or pounding in one side of the cranium. These headaches are caused by excessive dilation or widening of the blood vessels in the head. Roughly fifty percent of sufferers experience prodrome or symptoms that occur prior to the headache. Prodrome symptoms can include excessive fatigue or sleepiness, digestive issues, irritability, and cravings for particular foods.

Classic types of Migraine can be preempted by particular signs or symptoms referred to as auras. Auras may refer to visual changes such as blurriness or spotting, increased sensitivity to light, increased sensitivity to sound, increased sensitivity to smell, nausea, or vomiting. Classic migraines typically last from two to five hours, with the common migraine lasting between one and four days. Some migraine sufferers may even experience vaso-motor instability or inability to control body temperature. Vaso-motor instability is commonly seen in menopausal women in the form of hot flashes.

So how are migraines commonly treated? There are a number of different treatment interventions for migraine headache. Traditional allopathic medicine is fond of utilizing antidepressants (tri-cyclic), beta-blockers, and calcium-channel-blockers to decrease the incidence of headache. The problem with these types of pharmacological solutions is the host of side effects that are often encountered.

Because this article is being written by a chiropractor, we're going to focus on the more natural treatment options. First and foremost we want to look at the possibility of a food allergy. Citrus fruits, tyramine (commonly found in aged, smoked or pickled foods), gluten, dairy products such as eggs, milk and cheeses, chocolate, beer (brewers yeast), and wine are common triggers for migraine headache. Diet diaries and elimination diets are commonly used to evaluate the possibility or presence of a food allergy trigger. Environmental toxins can also play a role in the incidence of onset. Harsh cleaning chemicals and cigarette smoke have been indicated in migraine pathology.

Migraine sufferers often experience increased blood platelet aggregation. Platelet aggregation can impede the blood flow in and around the brain. In addition to decreasing blood flow, the clumping of platelets stimulates the release of seratonin. Seratonin can affect the dilation and constriction of blood vessels, triggering a migraine headache. Low seratonin levels are also correlated with reduced pain tolerance. Utilizing fish oil, garlic and ginger can help to inhibit platelet aggregation. Furthermore 5-Hydroxy-Tryptophan supplementation can help to elevate seratonin levels and reduce the incidence of migraine headache. Feverfew, a B-complex and magnesium supplementation have also proven to be beneficial for those individuals suffering from chronic migraine headache.

Decreasing the intake of animal fats in the diet can also help decrease the flare up of migraines. Animal fats contain arachidonic acid, an inflammatory intermediate and vasodilator. For more information on the treatment of migraine headache, simply contact your local chiropractor.

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Naturally Effective Headache Remedies

The most natural solution to ridding yourself of headaches is to simply prevent them. Sounds easy, right? It may not be as easy as it sounds, but being in tune with your body and its reaction to certain things like foods and environmental factors is a critical element of this process.

If you get consistent, pesky headaches and can't figure out why, the first step to uncovering the mystery is to start writing down the symptoms and patterns in your day in a headache diary. Often, something as simple as a food sensitivity can cause your headaches. Some foods like cheeses, chocolate, certain seasonings and foods containing MSGs can bring on headaches. Sensitivity to caffeine or alcohol can also have a similar effect. Noting the effect of different types of foods on your headaches may help you avoid those triggers.

In your headache diary, also note your sleep patterns and the time of the day headaches strike. This may also be indicative of why you get headaches. Is your sleep pattern inconsistent? Do you wake up and fall asleep at different times each day or have trouble sleeping? This could be a factor in the puzzling nature of your headaches. Also, perhaps you get headaches more often in the afternoon than the mornings, after you've been sitting at your desk all day behind a computer. Even something as simple as a brisk walk around the block and a bit of fresh air can prevent you from getting that pesky afternoon headache.

Doctors applaud the integration of exercise into any effort to remedy headaches. Regular exercise improves mood and blood flow, reduces stress and can relieve muscle tension. If you struggle with headaches and have a sedentary lifestyle, you might find that gentle exercise will help with your headaches. You might try incorporating more walking into your day or some simple relaxing stretches.

Decreasing stress and alleviating muscle tension are fundamental to headache relief. Massage is a relaxing and unique way to reduce muscle tension. While it hasn't been medically linked to headache remedies, it is a proven way to reduce stress and muscle tension that leads to headaches. Muscle tension can also be improved by a warm bath and stretching. Further, yoga and Pilates can help stretch the muscles around the shoulders and back, where a lot of tension builds up in the body.

Some people have turned to acupuncture to help with headache relief. Several clinical trials have been conducted on the effect of acupuncture on headaches. While only a few clinical trials have been done, relief was reported for headache sufferers. In acupuncture, a small thin needle is inserted under the skin in several targeted areas of the body where tension and pain tends to live.

The use of herbs and multivitamins has proven successful in preventing headaches in some people. Studies show that vitamin B-2 corrects small deficiencies in the brain which can in turn keep migraines at bay. Similar results are associated with coenzyme Q10 supplements. Magnesium sulfate is also sometimes used for people with acute headaches. However, the effect of herbs and vitamins varies depending on the person and may not have the desired effect for everyone.

Preventing your headaches may be as simple as maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise, proper diet and particular attention to the possible causes of your headaches can be useful in preventing your headaches altogether.

There is nothing worse than a tension headache. They make you feel as if nothing else matters, your concentration is non existent and you thrive piece and quiet. Have you considered that the problem maybe related to the Symptoms of a TMJ Headache? The world is still to be educated around the TMJ condition but effective TMJ treatment plans really help to reduce the frequency and severity of these terrible headaches. A useful website which has devoted itself to helping others with TMJ is now available for all to use.

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Headache or Migraine? Discover What Symptoms Separate a Migraine From a Headache

Whilst migraines are characterized most obviously by the painful headache that they are accompanied by, there are also other symptoms that differentiate them from other types of headaches.
To begin with there are two types of headaches, primary and secondary headaches. Primary headaches can be put into four main categories and are non-fatal but can lead to a serious reduction in quality of life.

Primary Headaches:

Cluster Headaches: These are known as cluster headaches because they recur for a number of weeks before subsiding. They occur around the temple or the eye and are confined to one side of the head. They last for an hour or less each time but they can happen several times each day and night which cause problems with sleeping.

Tension Headaches: This is the most common form of headache and is felt in a pain in the neck or head. The pain is felt as a pressure on both sides of the neck or head and can last as little as a couple of minutes or as long as a few days. The pain is mild to moderate and whilst unpleasant it is not debilitating. Crucially there are no additional effects to a tension headache such as nausea and it is not significantly worsened by exercise.

Migraine Headaches: A moderate to severe headache which is usually confined to one side of the head. It is a pulsating or throbbing sensation. In contrast to the other types of headaches it is worsened by exercise or exposure to bright or flashing lights as well as loud noises. There are a variety of other symptoms which can include nausea, diarrhea and some people experience visual problems in the build up such as flashing lights and blurred sight. Migraines can last from 4 to 72 hours and occur with varying frequency.

Chronic Daily Headaches: These occur daily and can be any one of the above types. To come under this definition they must occur at least 15 days a month for a period of 3 months or more.

The main difference between headaches and migraine headaches is therefore the severity and the time they last for. The severity of migraines is not just the actual headache period but also the associated symptoms in the build up such as nausea and sensitivity to lights and sounds.

Secondary Headaches:

Secondary headaches occur due to underlying reasons and can be very serious. They usually occur in older patients and can be accompanied by fever, stiff necks and are not responsive to usual treatments. Examples of underlying reasons for secondary headaches can include brain tumours, brain aneurisms and spinal abnormalities. As such any patient suffering from secondary headaches are advised to consult a doctor immediately.

Helen Stone is an author, artist, interior designer and homeopathic practitioner with a keen in interest in theatre and skiing.

Having suffered from headaches and migraines for much of her adult life she decided to spend the last few years travelling worldwide in order to research migraines, what causes migraines and how best to relieve the pain through natural treatments.

She believes in living life to the full and experiencing and understanding the world as best she can, learning more with each day.

For more migraine tips, treatments and remedies go to http://www.the-migraine-cure.com/

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