If you suffer from headaches on a regular basis, you're among a significant percentage of the population. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10 percent of men and more than 20 percent of women have severe headaches. Scheduling a consultation with your local chiropractor can be an important first step to eliminating your headache pain. A treatment plan of regular chiropractic adjustments can get your neck in alignment and relax your muscles to give you relief. If you want to speed up the healing process, it's often helpful to make some lifestyle changes to complement the chiropractor's care.
Shift Into Better Posture
It can be tempting to slouch when you're seated, but if you spend a number of hours per day in this position, you're likely holding your neck out of its proper alignment and causing pain. Practicing better posture can take pressure off your neck. Pull your shoulders back and ensure that your head sits above them; avoid the temptation to bend your neck and lean forward. Your back should be tall and straight with your buttocks pressed squarely into the back of the chair. Adjust the height of your chair to allow you to sit with your knees bent at 90 degrees when your feet are flat on the floor.
Cut Down On Stress
Stress can cause a headache or make an existing headache's pain even worse. Workplace stress is the most common form of stress, according to the American Institute on Stress. If you're stressed at work, take measures to lessen it. Visit with your company's human resources representative to discuss your workplace issues and seek a resolution, whether it's a slight reassignment of your daily duties or a face-to-face meeting with a colleague to address an ongoing conflict. If you have other types of stress, such as stress at home, do what you can to minimize these issues. Often, setting aside family time or relaxation time can help a stressed home life.
Change How You Sleep
Sleeping in an uncomfortable position can kink your neck and worsen your headache pain. It's worthwhile to speak to your chiropractor about how you sleep, but you can also consider how you feel each morning. If you wake up with a headache, for example, try shifting your position. For example, instead of lying on your side, try lying on your back. Adjusting your pillow height or sliding a pillow between your knees if you enjoy sleeping on your side can allow your spine and neck to rest at the proper position and reduce your risk of pain.
If you are still suffering alignment issues that lead to headaches, consider visiting a chiropractor for headache treatment.
