Headache Blog Part IV

"A Holistic Approach to Optimum Health"

                               Cluster Headaches

This week’s focus is on cluster headaches and their signs and symptoms. Cluster headaches are classified as neurovascular headaches, meaning that both the expansion of certain blood vessels in the brain and specific nerves in the brain cause this type of headache.  Cluster headaches are common in middle aged men and usually happen later in the evening and account for about 1-5% of all primary headaches.  Like migraine headaches, cluster headaches also have some triggers such as smoking and alcohol consumption.  Cluster headaches can last anywhere from 15 minutes to 2+ hours, and come be experienced multiple times a day. 

Signs and Symptoms 

- Pain is usually located behind one eye
- Are extremely painful
- Associated with increased tear production, conjunctivitis, runny nose, nasal congestion, constricted pupils, upper eyelid drooping or swelling, and facial orforehead swelling

Treatment
- Chiropractic Care
- Acupuncture
- Oxygen therapy
- Pain Medications prescribed by a primary care physcian

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Headache Blog Part III: Migraine Headaches

Headache Blog III: Migraine Headaches

This week’s focus is on migraine headaches, the symptoms, and treatments. Migraines account for about 10-15% of all headaches and are classified into two types, migraines with auras and without auras.  An aura is an event that causes the person to experience a visual disturbance such as seeing zigzag lines, flickering lights, or minor visual loss.  Those who experience an aura tend to look for dark quiet areas for relief from the pain.

Both types of migraines are known to have similar triggers, such as certain foods (chocolate, caffeine, cheese, wine), bright flashing lights, certain smells, change in weather, increased stress, and change in sleeping patterns. 
However, there are some differences too:

Migraine with Aura (AKA Classic Migraine):

Typically classic migraines are unilateral, throbbing headaches and are more common with women with (but not always) a family history.

In order for a headache to be diagnosed as a classic migraine, you have to have at least 2 attacks AND 3 of the following:

–                    1 or more headaches with an aura

–                    1 aura that builds up over 5-10 minutes and that lasts for 1 hour; or 2 or more headaches with auras

–                    Aura lasts for 1 hour

–                    Headache begins just prior to/at same time as aura, or immediately after aura

Migraine without Aura (AKA Common Migraine):

Common migraines are unilateral, pulsating headaches that can range from moderate to severe intensity and are more common with women.  Unlike a classic migraine there are NO Auras, but there is photo-phobia (an intolerance to light).A person suffering from a common migraine will look for dark quiet areas. 

For a migraine to be diagnosed as a common migraine, the following criteria must be met:

–                    Must have 5 attacks lasting 4-72 hours

–                    Must experience 2 of these3 symptoms: be unilateral have pulsating pain, and/or be moderate to severe intensity

–                    Must experience either nausea or photo-phobia

Treatment Options For Classic and Common Migraines:

–                    Chiropractic Care

–                    Acupuncture

–                    Supplements: omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, vitamin D, riboflavin

–                    Medication

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Headache Blog Part II: Tension Type Headaches

       "A Holistic Approach To Optimum Health"

Headache Blog Part II: Tension Type Headaches

This week we’ll focus on “Tension Type” headaches and the symptoms and treatments associated with them. About 38% of adults have had a tension type headache. They are usually mild to moderate in intensity, and typically tend to get worse as the day goes on. Tension type headaches are not always a direct result of muscular tension, but can also be caused by “trigger points” or knots in your muscles that refers pain from your neck and upper back muscles.

Characteristics of Tension Type Headaches:

• Mild to Moderate Intensity
• Pain is usually felt up the back of the neck or across your forehead from temple to temple
• Neck stiffness may accompany
• Usually gets worse as the day goes on

Treatment options:

• Chiropractic Care
• Massage Therapy/Trigger Point Therapy
• Postural /Ergonomic Changes
• Behavioral Changes (sleeping habits, decreasing stress, stretching exercises)
• Proper Hydration

Signs It’s Not a Tension Headache:

• You are experiencing visual disturbances (commonly known as Auras)
• Associated nausea and or vomiting
• Extremely Intense - worst headache you have ever had
• Pain is mostly located behind your eye
  
  
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Headache Blog Part 1

Headache Blog Part 1: General Info

We all get them, headache's. It can range from mild to severe, short or long lasting. The bottom line is, they’re annoying and painful, and may not always easy to get rid of.

There are many different types of headaches: Tension Headaches, Migraine Headaches, and Cluster Headaches. All have different causes, symptoms, and treatment options. Our Headache blog will be broken down into 4 parts, with today's focusing mostly on general headache information. The following blogs will focus on the above mentioned types of headaches.

Causes of Headaches:

• Musculoskeletal issues: tight muscles/spasms/trigger points, stiff neck, restricted joints in the upper back/neck region, poor posture
• Dehydration
• Injury (i.e.: whiplash)
• Family History
• Age
• Triggers such as food, smells, noises, lighting etc.

Headache Red Flags:

Sometimes Headaches can be a sign of a much more serious problem. Here are some common Red Flags, which should be taken very seriously.

• Sudden Severe Headache (“worst headache you have ever had”) - associated with Strokes
• Headache sustained from head trauma – possible indication of a Concussion
• Headaches that cause confusion, drowsiness, or giddiness – associated with Strokes
• Headaches that cause Neurological changes – associated with Strokes or possible Tumor
• Headaches that cause vomiting without the presence of nausea – associated with Strokes
• Headaches that cause neck stiffness, with or without the presence of a fever – often associated with Meningitis

In these cases, it is important to seek immediate medical attention.

Options for Care:

• Chiropractic Care
• Acupuncture
• Staying properly hydrated
• Stretching
• Modifying Behavior such as sleep, diet, exercise when necessary
• Supplements
• Avoiding know triggers (in the cases of those who suffer from Migraine Headaches)

Read us next time for some important information on “Tension Type” Headaches. 

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Have You Moved Today?

Have You Moved Today?

When it comes to staying healthy there can be many different approaches. The fact of the matter is, losing weight and embracing a healthier lifestyle takes work and is not always easy. There is one simple thing you can do to help jump start the path to a healthier life style......Walking! Being sedentary is extremely damaging to your overall health. It can lead to obesity and a whole host of other serious health conditions. The Surgeon General recommends to taking 10 thousand steps per day. But it’s estimated most people only take about half that amount of steps per day. Just getting up and walking around will greatly contribute to a healthier lifestyle. However it is important to remember that there are also other factors that are also important for achieving better health, such as diet (that will be a blog for another day).

What you will need:

-A good, comfortable pair of waking shoes

-A pedometer (can be found usually at any local sports retailer or online, and are fairly inexpensive)

-A positive attitude

How to reach 10 thousand steps:

First start by using a pedometer and go about your average day. If you fall below the 10k mark, (which on average adds up to about 5 miles) it is recommended that you start by increasing your daily steps by 500 steps and do that for a week (for example if you on avg. walk 5,500 steps, then increase to 600 steps/day for a week). Then increase that by another 500 steps per week, and so on until you've reached the 10k goal.

Ways to increase your daily amount of steps:

-Take the stairs instead of using an elevator

-If you're a dog owner, try extending your normal route.

-Go on daily walks. If you don't like walking by yourself, find a friend to walk with you.

-Park at the back of the parking lot when you go out shopping.

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Back to School Backpack Blog

Backpack Blog:

It’s that time of year again. The kids are back at school and are back to using their backpacks. With textbooks getting bigger and heavier each year, here are some simple tips to help prevent those big heavy books from having a negative impact on your child's back. Backpacks that are either too heavy, or being worn incorrectly can lead to poor posture and chronic pain, both things you or your children shouldn't have to worry about.

Backpack Tips:

• Look for a backpack with padded straps..
• Make sure your child wears a backpack over both shoulders, not just over one shoulder.
• The heaviest books should be stored closest to the back to ensure that the load is being supported properly. The farther away from the body, the greater chance that the increased weight can put strain on the muscles and joints of the back.
• Make sure your child's back pack has a waist strap, this will also help support the backpack, and make sure the weight is being distributed evenly.
• The total weight of your child's backpack should NEVER exceed 5-10% of the child's total body weight.

Ways to decrease Backpack usage:

• Check if your child's textbook is available electronically. This way your child can leave his/her textbook at school, while still having access to it at home.
• Ask the school or teacher to lend you the textbook so that your child can have one copy at home and one at school. This will help decrease the overall weight (and amount of stuff!) your child needs to bring home on a daily basis.
• Try having your child use a “rolling backpack”. This will help prevent too much repeatedly strain on your child’s back muscles and joints.
  
  
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Welcome!

Hello, and welcome to Union Square Chiropractic's new Blog site!  We are excited to bring our patients (as well as those who are interested in chiropractic, as well as health and wellness) a blog that will focus on wellness, healthy living, and other tips that can help keep you on the right path to optimum health!  Please stay tuned for our first official blog!

 In the meantime you can check out our website at www.unionsqchiro.com, and for the most up to date news about our office you can check us out on facebook at www.facebook.com/unionsqchiro. 

Thank you,

Dr. Gilmore