What can I do to speed up my recovery? Patients often ask me what they can do to speed up their recovery and enhance the healing process. Here are some ideas:
1. Proper rest. A good night's sleep gives your body time to heal. Use a supportive mattress and a pillow that promotes proper neck curve. Sleep on your back or side.
2. Better diet. Make sure your body has the best raw materials to heal muscles and soft tissues. While good nutrition is always important, it's doubly important now.
3. Kept appointments. Our recommendations for you come from the experience of helping others with similar conditions. Follow your visit schedule for the best results.
4. Moderate exercise. A regular program of walking or swimming can improve overall muscle tone. If you're unsure what stretches and exercises you should do, just ask.
5. Correct lifting. Lift with your knees and keep your back straight. Correct sitting and good posture is important. Consider using a small pillow to help maintain proper spinal curves when at work or in your car.
6. Tell others. Interestingly, patients who tell others about their chiropractic experience seem to get well faster. Telling others can reinforce your commitment and remind you of the simple truths of the chiropractic approach to better health.

Healing takes time. Between what we do at the office and what you do at home, the road to recovery looks promising. Do I have to suffer with these frequent headaches? Do you have to stop what you're doing because of another headache? Every day as many as 2 million Americans suffer from severe headaches that interfere with routine work and social activities. Headaches result in 250 million lost workdays each year, according to a 1991 study in Chiropractic Technique by Nelson and Boline.

Did you know that headaches occur more often than the common cold? Because they are so "common," many people just accept headaches as a "normal" part of life. Quite the contrary- if you have a headache, that means something isn't normal! Pain is a signal that you have a problem that needs attention.

Many of you reading this have probably experienced an annoying, chronic or debilitating head pain at one time or another. If you suffer from headaches, then you need to know how chiropractic can help you!

It's Not "All in Your Head"
I know how frustrating it is when others dismiss your headaches as "just stress"… as if it's all in your mind. Yet, it is interesting that most headache sufferers typically do not show signs of serious emotional or psychological disturbances at all. In fact, most are people just like you who successfully handle jobs, attend school or manage a household.

Naturally, as chiropractors, we must consider the factors which may be contributing to your headache. Those factors include eye strain, toxic fumes, poor posture, or spinal injury. Regardless of the cause, headaches are real, not imagined.

Actually, there are nearly 100 different kinds of headaches, but for simplicity's sake, we'll talk about the two main groups: migraine and tension. These two types make up about 80-90% of all headaches.

Maybe It's A Migraine!
Headaches involving the swelling of blood vessels are called "migraines." This type of headache is usually a one-sided, throbbing pain. Classic migraines are often preceded by an "aura" of bright light, nausea or vomiting. The pain is often quite severe.

Your "brain" itself isn't hurting, because the brain has no nerves for experiencing pain. However, the arteries in your brain do have pain nerves. If they are inflamed or irritated, the arteries transmit pain signals.

Every time your heart pumps, it sends blood pulsating through the arteries, which can stretch the artery walls. With each "stretch" you feel the pain!

Let's Talk about "Tension" Headaches
People with tension headaches often experience "band-like" pressure around the head. Tenderness, tightness and stiffness in the muscles behind the head and neck are also common.

What should I expect from my first massage appointment? And, how long does it usually take?

The first appointment generally begins with the massage therapist asking you to fill out a quick intake form about what prompted you to get a massage, your current condition, medical history, lifestyle, stress level and painful areas.

Then, the therapist will assess the condition to determine what type of work you would need, and instruct you how to begin, face up or down on the table. Because each session is customized to your particular needs, you are able to communicate with the therapist of what makes you comfortable.

What causes spinal misalignment?
Most misalignments in the spine can be linked to a physical cause like an accident or injury that is not properly treated. There are two types of trauma or injuries that can occur in the spine. First there is Macro Trauma. This is where people know they have instantly injured themselves and need help right away. Secondly, there is Micro Trauma, or small repetitive injuries that build up over time. Some examples of these types of injuries are sitting at a desk job day after day, year after year, with poor posture. Also, people who do the same labor type job day in and day out, like construction workers, body shop workers, mechanics, painters, computer jobs, assembly line workers, etc.

You Don't Have to Suffer!
Chiropractic research has shown that migraine and tension headaches can be related to a misalignment of one or more vertebrae in the neck. Since the nerves and blood vessels pass through small openings between the vertebrae, even a slight misalignment can compress the nerve. Vertebral subluxations can irritate the spinal nerves or joints, which can cause many types of headaches.

Fortunately, you don't have to suffer from headaches. Chiropractic care offers state-of-the-art testing and treatment. Regardless of the cause of your headache, whether it's stress related, an injury, or just daily wear and tear, chiropractic can help to correct the underlying cause of your pain.

Doctors of Chiropractic receive specialized training in managing problems of the nerves, muscles and joints. Chiropractic care helps to reduce muscle tension, realign the vertebrae and remove nerve irritation along the spinal column. Lifting the pressure from these structures can often bring immediate relief from your headache pain!

Headaches From Too Many Pain Pills?
Many headache sufferers eventually develop a tolerance to headache medications and require more and more medication to relieve pain. And with narcotics there is always the risk of addiction.

What about side effects of headache medications? Excessive aspirin can cause kidney damage and ulcers, as well as other stomach problems. Some of the more potent medications can constrict the arteries in the head and lead to a heart attack or stroke. Pain medications can cause drowsiness and can limit your ability to drive.

The most commonly prescribed headache medications are analgesics or sedatives. Many often contain caffeine. The irony is that often these medications themselves can lead to headaches!

According to a leading authority on headaches, Ninan T. Matthews, M.D., of Houston Headache Clinic, "Most of the time it is difficult to distinguish between a primary headache and one caused by the medication itself. Analgesic and drug-induced headaches are serious. Professional help is needed to break this cycle."

Chiropractic…The Drug-free Choice
Chiropractic care is a drug-free alternative that has worked for millions of headache sufferers. Medications treat the symptoms; Chiropractic treats the cause of your headaches. Adjustments and self-help care can often make the difference. Remember, "headaches are not caused by a dietary insufficiency of aspirin or other pain medications."

Every day that you are in pain is one day too long. If you suffer from headaches, don't delay in setting up a chiropractic examination.

Once the source of your headache is identified, chiropractic care can help to correct the underlying cause of your pain.