Most people experience a headache from time to time, and while they can be a nuisance, they usually pass without much of a problem. For some, however, headaches can be a regular or chronic occurrence that can severely affect quality of life. For these patients, doctors will often prescribe a series of vitamins and minerals, plenty of water intake and a good sleep routine. They will also suggest prescription medications either to limit the number of headaches or to provide some relief for pain.
At Kamloops Integrated Wellness, we provide our patients with additional headache therapy -either as a complement to existing pain protocols, or as an alternative to prescription pain medications. Our drug-free approach provides short term and long-term benefits for sufferers with symptoms ranging from mild to severe, and promotes integrated therapies for maximum benefit.
Types of Headaches and Their Symptoms
Migraine Headaches. Migraines are a mystery in the neurological world. Their cause isn’t completely understood, but we do know that they are hereditary, and that they can be brought on by individual triggers such as food, weather, stress or lack of sleep. These headaches are usually classified by intense pain on one or both sides of the head, and can include symptoms like nausea, vomiting or sensitivity to light.
Tension Headaches. These headaches are often caused by stress, anxiety or strained muscles in the face, neck or shoulders. They are classified by pain around the entire head that is constant and dull in nature.
Cluster Headaches. Cluster Headaches usually occur on one side of the head, arrive with a rapid onset, and produce piercing, severe pain. They can also include discomfort in or behind the eye on the affected side. The term “cluster” comes from the fact that the patient tends to endure several headaches over a short period of time.
How Can We Help?
Chiropractic Care and Massage Therapy can help both as individual treatments as well as in combination in order to provide treatment and relief from all types of headaches.
Your Chiropractor will diagnose your symptoms and develop a treatment plan that may include a number of options to reduce immediate pain and inflammation, and provide long term relief as well:
- Manipulation
- Soft Tissue Therapy
- Acupuncture
- Exercise Program
Your Registered Massage Therapist will use targeted massage to help address symptoms, reduce pain and decrease the severity and frequency of headaches:
- Relaxing strained muscles
- Providing stress relief
- Promote relaxation
- Introduce stretching regimen
If you struggle with chronic or severe headaches, consider a therapeutic approach to treatment. Our Chiropractors and Registered Massage Therapists have experience in caring for patients with these conditions, and can help you find some much needed relief.
