June is National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month to encourage dialogue and awareness of how headaches affect everyday life for so many. The statistics are incredibly high for the number of people impacted by headaches and the implications of self-medicating with long term effects on health and wellness.

Headaches and migraines are among the most common disorders of the human nervous system. It has been estimated that more than half of the adult population has had at least one headache in the last year. Symptoms range from excruciating migraines, dull and throbbing head pain, piercing cluster pain, neck pain and tension, nausea, and hypersensitivity to light, sound and smells. When left unresolved, headaches and migraines can lead to depression and isolation and self-medication.

A visit to your chiropractor can be a crucial step in finding headache and migraine relief. Your chiropractor will work to discover the root cause of your headaches and provide natural treatment options to get to the root cause of the pain for long term benefits. Your chiropractor can devise a comprehensive treatment plan to get you on the path to optimal health.

• Spinal manipulation or chiropractic adjustments can improve spinal function and alleviate stress on your system. By removing misalignments, your chiropractor is correcting any neuromusculoskeletal sources of your headaches.
• Professional advice on posture and ergonomics can help you to avoid tension and joint irritation in the muscles of the neck and upper back. Developing good postural habits can go a long way in preventing tension headaches.
• A customized therapy program of exercises and relaxation techniques can be another tool to keep headaches at bay.

Awareness is to remove the stigma and encourage headache sufferers to get educated and take action to improve their health and the health of their loved ones and our communities.