Holiday Headaches

The holidays can bring more than cheer. There’s a lot going on with family and travel and gifts and all of the other things the holidays throw at you. With all of the things going on, it’s easy to put issues that can be going on with your health on the back burner – especially if the holiday stress is the cause.

One thing caused by the holidays can be headaches, and ignoring their signs can compound everything else going on this time of year. Headaches can affect you in a number of different ways – from pain that’s mild and dull to a much more severe pain that can knock you out of commission or even make you nauseous.

The last thing anyone needs during the holidays is to be slowed down by something like a headache, especially if it’s been brought on by the stress and anxiety of the season. There are many over-the-counter options to alleviate headaches, but a natural alternative like chiropractic care can treat headaches of various types, and can provide long-term relief.

Headaches are caused by signals in your brain, its nerves and blood vessels. Whether it’s from some sort of deficiency or something blocking the signals from your nervous system. While it’s unclear what triggers these signals, it’s known that things like illness and stress are big contributors. A chiropractic adjustment can get the lines of communication open and running correctly, allowing the nervous system to operate smoothly, like it was designed to.

To deal with headaches, chiropractors can target areas of the spinal cord to make sure it is properly aligned and not causing any pressure on the nervous system. You’re already under enough pressure – especially surrounding the holidays. That proper alignment can often alleviate those communication problems, or give clues as to if some other underlying issue, to get you back to your normal, productive life.

Along with posture, there are other things you can do to try and fend off headaches. One of the main things is staying hydrated. It doesn’t sound difficult, but drinking enough water every day can go a long way in eliminating some of the symptoms and pain from headaches. Another key is moving around. Changing things up – especially at those desk jobs, or when sitting for long periods of time – can ensure that you’re not putting undue pressure anywhere. Movement helps alleviate some of that stagnation that can knock your spinal alignment off kilter. Something as simple as getting enough sleep, which can be a struggle during the holiday season, can also help offset chronic headaches, too.

Of course, headaches aren’t just something that are caused by the stress of the holiday season. They happen year round, and can be caused by more than just stress. From eating particular foods to sitting too long in the car to erratic sleeping habits, all sorts of things can contribute to spinal misalignment or other issues with the nervous system. That’s why it’s important to make sure things are properly aligned, especially during this demanding time of the year.

For more information on how chiropractic care can help with headaches and other things caused by stress, contact Dr. Morgan Sheridan at Foundation Chiropractic today.