Headaches are a common condition that affect millions of people worldwide. They can range from mild to severe and can be caused by a variety of factors, including stress, tension, dehydration, and more. While over-the-counter medications can provide temporary relief, they often come with side effects and fail to address the root cause of the problem. Chiropractic care is a natural, non-invasive approach to headache relief that can provide long-term benefits.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the role of chiropractic care in headache relief, including how it works, the benefits of treatment, and what to expect during your visit to A Chiropractic Wellness Place, PC in Chelmsford, MA.
How Chiropractic Care Can Relieve Headaches
Chiropractic care is a form of alternative medicine that focuses on the relationship between the spine and the nervous system. It is based on the idea that the body has an innate ability to heal itself. Chiropractors believe that misalignments in the spine and other musculoskeletal structures can interfere with the nervous system and cause a variety of health problems, including headaches.
Chiropractic adjustments involve the use of controlled force to manipulate the spine and other joints in the body. This can help relieve tension and restore proper alignment to the spine, reducing the pressure on nerves and blood vessels that supply the head.
Chiropractors may also use other techniques such as massage therapy, stretching, and lifestyle counseling to address factors that may be contributing to headaches, such as poor posture or stress. By taking a holistic approach to healthcare, chiropractors can help their patients achieve long-term relief from headaches and improve their overall health and well-being.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Headache Relief
Non-Invasive: Chiropractic care is a non-invasive approach to healthcare that doesn’t involve surgery or medication. This makes it a safe and effective option for people who prefer a natural approach to healthcare. Chiropractic care can help relieve headaches without the use of drugs, reducing the risk of adverse side effects.
Fewer Side Effects: Unlike medications, chiropractic care has few side effects. While some people may experience mild soreness or stiffness after an adjustment, these side effects are usually short-lived and mild. By avoiding the use of medications, chiropractic care can help prevent the risk of adverse side effects and provide a safer alternative for headache relief.
Long-Term Relief: Chiropractic care can provide long-term relief from headaches. By addressing the underlying cause of the problem, chiropractic care can help prevent future headaches from occurring. Regular chiropractic adjustments can help maintain proper spinal alignment and reduce tension in the neck and upper back, preventing headaches from recurring.
Improved Quality of Life: Headaches can be debilitating and affect a person’s quality of life. Chiropractic care can help reduce the frequency and severity of headaches, allowing people to live a more active and enjoyable life. By improving spinal alignment and reducing tension in the neck and upper back, chiropractic care can help improve mobility and reduce pain, improving overall quality of life.
What to Expect During Your Visit to A Chiropractic Wellness Place, PC
If you’re experiencing headaches, scheduling an appointment with Dr. Mark Chiungos at A Chiropractic Wellness Place, PC in Chelmsford, MA is the first step in finding relief. During your initial visit, Dr. Chiungos will perform a comprehensive examination to evaluate the extent of your headaches and identify any underlying issues that may be contributing to your symptoms.
After the initial examination, Dr. Chiungos will develop a personalized treatment plan based on your individual needs and goals. Treatment may include chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, stretching, lifestyle counseling, and other techniques that can help address the root cause of your headaches.
Chiropractic adjustments are typically performed using the hands or a small instrument to manipulate the spine and other joints in the body. The adjustment itself is usually painless, although you may feel some mild discomfort or soreness afterward. This is normal and should subside within a day or two.
Dr. Chiungos may also recommend exercises or stretches that you can do at home to help maintain proper spinal alignment and reduce tension in your neck and upper back. By following these recommendations, you can help prevent future headaches from occurring and achieve long-term relief.
In addition to chiropractic care, Dr. Chiungos may also recommend other lifestyle changes that can help reduce your risk of headaches. These may include dietary changes, stress reduction techniques, and ergonomic improvements to your work environment.
Conclusion
Headaches can be a debilitating condition that affects your quality of life. While medications can provide temporary relief, they often come with unwanted side effects and fail to address the root cause of the problem. Chiropractic care is a safe, effective, and non-invasive approach to headache relief that can provide long-term benefits.
At A Chiropractic Wellness Place, PC in Chelmsford, MA, Dr. Mark Chiungos has years of experience helping patients find relief from headaches and other health problems. By taking a holistic approach to healthcare, Dr. Chiungos can help you achieve long-term relief from headaches and improve your overall health and well-being.
If you’re experiencing headaches or other health problems, schedule an appointment with A Chiropractic Wellness Place, PC today to see how chiropractic care can help you.
FAQ
Chiropractic
Most insurance policies offer some chiropractic coverage. Dr. Chiungos works with Blue Cross-Blue Shield, Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare, Tufts Health Plan, Unicare/GIC, and Medicare. See the No Surprises Act for more information.
Absolutely. Chiropractic as a profession is more than 100 years old. We follow industry guidelines during our new patient induction process to minimize risk and maximize benefit. Chiropractic malpractice insurance is considered by many to be the least costly professional insurance in the healthcare industry because chiropractic is generally considered a safe, manual therapy.
It depends on your mechanism of injury and your current state of health. You might start feeling better as soon as your adjustment is finished. You might need to go home and ice (Dr. Chiungos will advise you). If your injury is serious, it may take several visits. But your healing has begun from the first adjustment. Your personal care plan is designed to take you from where you are today to your best possible outcome. Dr. Chiungos will keep you updated on your progress at each visit.
SpineMED®
Decompression treatment is not currently covered by health insurance. If Dr. Chiungos believes this is an integral part of your treatment plan, he will discuss all costs and potential discounts before the start of care. You will receive informed consent.
Spinal Disc Decompression with the SpineMED® Table has shown to be safe and generally without major side effects or complications once abnormal conditions have been ruled out. The process is so safe and comfortable, it’s not uncommon for patients to fall asleep!
Specific situations that are not suited for decompression therapy include:
- Patients under 12 years old
- If you had spinal surgery that involved clips, mesh or fusion
- If you have fractures, tumors or infections
- If you have osteoporosis or spondylolisthesis where there’s been a fracture or non-union defect in the spine, where that segment that we want to traction is unstable
Damaged intervertebral discs seldom heal as the discs are constantly under pressure from muscular spasm—during normal activities, and even while sleeping! SpineMED is designed to reduce the pressure in the discs, promoting the influx of vital fluids, nutrients and oxygen back into the discs to assist the body’s natural rebuilding process. This process may speed up the natural repair and could eventually heal damaged spinal discs.
Sessions are typically 30 minutes long. It could take 15 to 25 sessions or more to see some relief from your discomfort. That’s variable based on your status and the condition we’re treating. Ideally, the sessions are performed daily with rest on the weekend.
Aspen Laser
Laser treatment, as used in chiropractic offices, is not currently covered by health insurance. If Dr. Chiungos believes this is an integral part of your treatment plan, he will discuss all costs and potential discounts before the start of care.
Laser therapy has been in use for over thirty years with almost no side effects reported. Aspen Laser is FDA-registered and passes all safety compliance requirements. The treatments are not painful; in fact, laser is warm and comfortable to your skin. Dr. Chiungos will check in with you regularly to make sure the temperature feels right, and you can always speak up if it starts to feel too warm. The main safety concern is for the eyes, which is why Dr. Chiungos will provide protective glasses for both patient and doctor at each session.
Laser is effective on most parts of the body; however, there are times when laser is not appropriate:
- during pregnancy
- within twelve months of cancer treatments
- during the use of photo-sensitizing medications
- over recent steroid injections (seven days)
- over growth plates or reproductive glands
- over tattoos or skin infections
Laser therapy promotes energy production supporting cellular repair, increased blood flow, increased red blood cell oxygen-carrying capacity, and decrease of inflammation. When used in conjunction with traditional chiropractic, laser can reduce pain and healing time, and promote a deeper, more complete healing to the area of concern.
Sessions typically last 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of the treatment area. They generally start longer and reduce in length as you heal. Most acute conditions require only 10 – 12 treatment sessions. If you have a chronic condition, you may need 12 – 20 treatments and one or two follow-up sessions every month. The amount and frequency of treatments are determined through assessment of your condition combined with Dr. Chiungos’s experience treating patients with laser. You will likely start to feel better after your first 5 sessions.
