Headaches can cause a lot of stress, making work, socializing, movement, and even focusing difficult. Most people turn to pain-masking medications to help reduce their discomfort; however, medicine only provides short-term relief and does nothing to help the actual cause of the headache. 

Chiropractic care is an excellent alternative to relying on substances for inadequate headache treatment. Working with a chiropractor can reduce headache frequency and severity by determining and treating the source of your pain. 

Chiropractic techniques are safe, effective, and natural solutions for headache management. They allow you to heal quickly and give you the tools to stay healthy and pain-free, offering an array of reliable benefits. 

This article is discussing:

• Why we get headaches
• How to help prevent headaches
• The benefits of chiropractic care to treat headaches
• And more

We all get headaches at some point, so knowing how to handle them can help save you time and energy and find comfort quickly. 

Reasons We Get Headaches

Headaches are triggered by numerous situations, conditions, and injuries. They can occur from nowhere for seemingly no reason, or you may feel one coming on. Either way, neither is ideal. 

There are several kinds of headaches, the most common being tension headaches. Tension headaches arise when the neck and head muscles tense and contract. They can be a chronic condition and may occur due to environmental factors.

Common reasons for headaches include:

• Sensitivity to light, sound, or smell
• Dehydration
• Hunger 
• Mental stress or anxiety
• TMJ or other jaw-related injuries or conditions
• Season changes
• Hormonal changes
• Back or neck injury 
• Spine injury 
• Inflammation or scar tissue
• Whiplash
• Sports injury 

Chiropractors are experts in spine, soft tissue, and joint health, making them a great resource for headache care. Using holistic methods to enhance the body’s natural healing process so it can fully function means you can stop reaching into the medicine cabinet and get real, lasting results.  

Tips to Help Avoid Headaches

While there’s no way to stave off headaches for good, there are things you can do to reduce your chances of getting one. 

Hydrate and eat

You always hear how important drinking water is, and we’re here to tell you- it’s true. Dehydration is one of the leading causes of headaches, so always have water nearby and drink it before you become thirsty. If you get to the point of thirst, you’re already dehydrated. 

Try not to skip meals. Food is vital to your energy, concentration, and health, so be sure to consume the right amount. This looks different to everyone, but one thing we all share is that, at some point, we’ll miss a meal. Have a snack on hand for when this happens. 

Get quality sleep

Sleep is an essential time for your body. It’s when you rejuvenate, heal, and restore from within. Without good sleep, much of your life becomes vulnerable. Make the time to get the rest your body (and mind) need. 

Manage your stress 

Obviously, stress isn’t always avoidable, but whenever possible, remove yourself from it as quickly as you can. Take a break, get off the call, leave the room, stop scrolling, and don’t forget to breathe. 

By now, it’s well known that stress has tremendously adverse effects on the physical body, so you should find the best ways to manage yours. 

Common ways to reduce stress and anxiety include:

• Mediation
• Breathing exercises 
• Yoga and other physical activities 
• Fresh air
• Not procrastinating 
• Massage  
• Getting in you-time
• Laughter 

Exercise and stretch regularly 

Movement releases healthy, happy chemicals into the body that improve comfort, reduce stress, and promote joy. Not only that, but it strengthens the body, making you healthier and more confident, and more energized. 

Implementing a regular exercise routine carries a lot of weight regarding your overall health and avoiding headache-causing injuries, so find one that suits your goals and lifestyle. 

Don’t strain the eyes

When you strain your eyes, you can directly contribute to back and neck pain, which causes muscle tension and can bring on a headache. Get your eyes checked annually, and if you’re supposed to wear corrective glasses or lenses, be sure you do it. 

Avoid known triggers

If you know you get headaches when around specific things or conditions, steer clear whenever possible. Of course, sometimes, you can’t escape your headache triggers, so do your best to keep yourself safe. 

Some examples include:

• If you have to stare at a screen for prolonged hours, be sure you take eye and movement breaks every 30 minutes
• If you missed a meal, get some healthy food in your system as quickly as you can 
• If you feel your stress levels rise, go for a walk 

Ensure your body is properly functioning, devoid of injury

Soft tissue injuries, disc herniations, inflammation, poor posture, and many other musculoskeletal conditions can cause headaches. Visiting your local chiropractor will give you the information you need to help support your body and reduce your headaches.  

Chiropractic techniques to help end headache discomfort include:

• Chiropractic adjustments
• Dry needling
• Soft tissue therapies
• Corrective exercise
• Massage therapy
• And others

Visit Our Santa Fe Chiropractic Clinic for Headache Care

Our team has worked with countless patients needing reliable, lasting headache management.

We’ve seen firsthand how chiropractic solutions can help control headaches, decreasing their severity and occurrence while offering many other significant benefits.

Common benefits of chiropractic care for headache control include:

• Improved motion and flexibility
• Improved sleep quality
• Reduced stress and enhanced relaxation
• Increased focus and performance
• Improved overall strength and health
• And many others

If you’re ready to live pain-free, fully functioning, and doing the things you love, book with our headache chiropractor in Santa Fe today.