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Category: Health

chiropractor wilmington nc
By admin_seuser December 1, 2021 auto accident injury, Back Pain, Chiropractic Care, Health, neck pain , , , ,

Chiropractor Wilmington NC: Back Spasms

A back spasm can occur when the muscles supporting the spinal column, particularly those in the lower back, become overworked. If the muscles suddenly contract near the nerve roots around the spinal cord, this condition can be extremely painful.
Muscles that are overstretched or worked more than usual can become tender and inflamed. The pain may first become noticeable when you are twisting your back, or are pushing or pulling something, particularly if you are moving something heavy. Sudden movements in particular are likely to trigger back spasms. Playing golf, for example, in which the back twists quickly as the golfer swings, can cause the back to spasm. Weightlifting, baseball and football are other sports that carry a higher risk of back spasm. Even something as seemingly safe as gardening can cause back spasms, since it usually involves bending and turning. If the activity is not stopped immediately, the spasms are likely to get worse. Our chiropractor Wilmington NC explains more:

Among other things that can increase your risk of suffering a back spasm are:
• Weak stomach muscles
• Tight hamstrings
• A tipped pelvis
• Lordosis (an exceptional curvature of the lumbar spine)
• A back condition such as spondylolysis, arthritis or spinal stenosis

Typical back spasm treatments usually involve resting the back first, then—as it heals—strengthening the muscles that support the spine. Bed rest is not usually recommended for the long term, as it can actually hinder the healing of the back. You should try to keep active, but be sure not to put any strain on the back muscles. While resting, experts recommend that you lie on your back on the floor with a pillow under your knees, or with your knees bent and your legs resting on a chair. Acetaminophen or anti-inflammatory pain relievers such as ibuprofen are often recommended in the first days, though they should not be taken on an extended basis due to the damage they can do to your stomach and liver. You can also apply heat for 20 to 30 minutes at a time to help soothe sore back muscles.
When your back has sufficiently healed, you can slowly begin to introduce more movement. A visit to your chiropractor is always a good idea, as he or she can remove any spinal subluxations that may be causing muscle imbalances and can suggest exercises you can do to strengthen the core muscles in the trunk (not only the back, but the abdomen as well) that are so vital in supporting the spinal column as it moves in different directions. Stretching the hamstrings and psoas muscles can also help by reducing the tightness that often develops from spending long hours in a sitting position, and that often contribute to the likelihood of muscle spasms.

Looking for a chiropractor Wilmington NC? Contact us today!

chiropractor in leland nc
By admin_seuser November 2, 2021 Chiropractic Care, Health , , , ,

Chiropractor in Leland NC: Pros / Cons of Fruit Juice

Look on any supermarket’s shelves these days and you’ll see a huge variety of fruit juices, far more than were ever seen in our parents’ day. Orange juice (or occasionally grapefruit, apple or tomato juice) was the juice that typically appeared on most American breakfast tables. Now, it is possible to get juices in all manner of combinations, including such exotic fruits as mango, guava, pomegranate, goji berry and more. And although many of these juices have a healthy serving of vitamins and minerals, they also may have their fair share of calories and sugar. So is fruit juice good for us or not? Following are some of the pros and cons of drinking fruit juice. Our chiropractor in Leland NC explains the advantages and disadvantages of drinking fruit juice.

Pros:
Easy way to get fruit – One 4-ounce glass of fruit juice counts for one full serving of fruit, so if you are too rushed to eat an apple you can down some juice. While fruit juice does not contain the fiber that makes eating the whole fruit so healthy, it is still better than getting no fruit at all.
Good source of vitamins and antioxidants – One glass of orange or grapefruit juice can supply more than your daily requirement of vitamin C, boosting your immune system and providing you with free-radical-fighting antioxidants. It is also an excellent source of folic acid (which prevents birth defects and is good for heart health) and potassium (which helps to regulate blood pressure).

Cons:
High in calories – Pam Birkenfeld, as pediatric nutritionist at New York’s Nassau University Medical Center says, “Parents tend to think that because fruit juice is fat-free and comes from nature, it’s OK. But what they often don’t realize is that it is a very concentrated source of calories that generally does not fill you up, just out.” There is an average of 140 calories in an 8-ounce glass of fruit juice. If you consume a few glasses each day, those calories can add up. In contrast, an orange has only about 60 calories.
High in sugar – Our increased consumption of sugar has been implicated as being a major contributor to the skyrocketing rates of obesity observed in the Western world. Studies have shown that children who are overweight drink 65 percent more sugary juices than children of normal weight. Some juices contain more sugar that sweetened soft drinks. Grape juice, for example, has 50 percent more sugar than Coca Cola.
Bad for your teeth – One study found an 84% reduction in the hardness of tooth enamel after drinking orange juice for just five days. Researchers believe other juices may have a similar effect, as their acidity is similar. Tooth decay and cavities in children as young as two or three years old have become commonplace, and dentists point to the increased intake of fruit juice as the cause. The combination of acid and sugar is the perfect storm for tooth decay. Experts advise that children drink fruit juice no more than once a day, and instead drink milk or water. If fruit juice is taken, it can be watered down to dilute the acid concentration.
By weighing these pros and cons you can decide for yourself how much juice you and your family should drink to get the benefits of drinking fruit juice while minimizing the drawbacks.

If you are looking for a chiropractor in Leland NC, contact us today.

spinal decompression in wilmington nc
By admin_seuser November 1, 2021 Chiropractic Care, Health , , , ,

Spinal Decompression in Wilmington NC

If you are one of the millions of Americans who experience chronic back pain, you know how much it can disrupt your life and turn the simplest of movements into chores that you dread. If other forms of treatment haven’t fully worked for you in the past, one that you may want to investigate is spinal decompression therapy. Our spinal decompression in Wilmington NC expert explains more.

The idea behind spinal decompression in Wilmington NC therapy is that many types of back problems are caused by the spinal disks having become compressed-squeezed between the vertebrae above and below. This can manifest as herniated or bulging disks, which can press up against nerves and cause pain at the site as well as in other areas of your body and may interfere with neural impulses. The good news is that it is often possible to “decompress” the spine and alleviate the pressure WITHOUT resorting to risky and expensive surgeries. Specially trained chiropractors using a variety of advanced equipment offer a conservative alternative that has proven very effective for many people.

What does spinal decompression in Wilmington NC involve?
Basically, you recline – fully clothed – on a table as harnesses are attached to your pelvis and to the trunk of your body. Depending on the condition being treated, you may be facing down or up on the traction table. Then the doctor operates a computer-controlled machine to exert a gentle, pulling force that stretches your body-essentially relieving the pressure that gravity places on your spine all day.
Treatments typically last for 30-45 minutes. During the treatment itself, the computer constantly adjusts the force and angle of the applied traction in a series of alternating movements, to reduce the body’s tendency to resist external forces. These alternating movements gently elongate the spine and reduce the pressure on individual disks between the vertebrae. Spinal decompression usually works in very small increments over time. Many patients experience immediate relief, though most require a series of treatments over several weeks to produce effective, lasting results. Spinal decompression may be supplemented either before or after the treatment with heat therapy, electrical stimulation, or ultrasound to relax your muscles and facilitate the decompression.

In addition to taking pressure off the spinal disks, decompression has another important therapeutic effect. Pulling the vertebrae apart creates “negative pressure”, a sort of vacuum that encourages fluid and nutrients to flow back into the spinal disks. This in turn expands the disks’ volume and provides the materials necessary for them to heal.

What conditions can be improved using spinal decompression therapy?
Spinal decompression therapy has been approved by the Federal Drug Administration and has brought relief to many people suffering from sciatica, bulging or herniated spinal disks, degenerative disk disease, pinched nerves, worn spinal joints (posterior facet syndrome), and injured or diseased spinal nerve roots (radiculopathy).

The advantages of spinal decompression therapy over surgery are obvious-the former is non-invasive, and does not require hospitalization or the use of general anesthesia. Simply put, it is a more conservative therapy that avoids both the risks and expense of surgery. If you are interested in finding out more about this potentially beneficial treatment, we encourage you to call or visit our office!

If you are looking for spinal decompression in Wilmington NC, contact us today.

wilmington nc chiropractors
By admin_seuser September 30, 2021 Chiropractic Care, Health , , ,

Wilmington NC Chiropractors: Joint Injuries and Arthritis

A U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study performed from 2007-2009 showed that at least 22.2% of adult Americans suffered from arthritis. The actual number could be higher than the CDC estimate, though, because these were self-reported and doctor-diagnosed cases. Naturally, no one knows how many unreported cases there are. Still, it’s reasonable to believe that this percentage will only become higher as the population ages. Our chiropractor in Wilmington NC explains more.

The short answer to the question asked in the title of this article is “Yes”. Joint injuries really can cause or accelerate arthritis. The reason is simple. Arthritis is all about inflammation of the joint. Inflammation is a natural reaction of the body to injury, pathogens or irritants. Trauma or injury is a major cause of arthritic conditions. Various forms of arthritis, like osteoarthritis (the most common form), are degenerative-they get worse over time and with wear and tear. Once an arthritic condition is established, it will get worse unless the root cause is found and dealt with, or the symptoms are managed by drugs.

Dr. Joseph Borrelli Jr., chairman and professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, performed a study to see how post-traumatic arthritis (PTA) developed after an acute joint injury. Using an animal model, Borrelli found that trauma to the joint can lead to a range of acute lesions, including fractures to bones, ligament or meniscus tears and damage to the articular cartilage. These types of injury are often associated with bleeding in the area of the joint and cause post-traumatic joint inflammation. Despite the resolution of the acute symptoms, and the fact that some lesions could be surgically repaired, joint injury causes a chronic remodeling of the cartilage and other joint tissues that in a majority of cases eventually manifests as osteoarthritis.
The key seems to be in the chondrocytes. These are the cells present in healthy cartilage that help to produce and maintain it. When an acute injury occurs, these chondrocytes become inactive within a month, slowly reducing the structural integrity of the cartilage. Borelli said “In our PTA model, the cells became inactive almost immediately after injury and stopped producing these compounds [that maintain the cartilage]. He continued, “This may explain why PTA sometimes develops very quickly in patients after an injury, regardless of how successful we were in fixing the fracture. PTA can develop in just 6 months-unlike osteoarthritis, which may take up to 60 years to develop.”

PTA aside, serious joint injuries that are not addressed promptly can cause a range of problems down the road. By healing incorrectly or incompletely, joints can become susceptible to instability and re-injury. Weakened or unstable joints may also lead to other related injuries as the body changes its mechanics to compensate.
If you or someone you care about has recently suffered a back, neck or other joint injury, we can help! Proper treatment can make a big difference!

If you are looking for Wilmington NC Chiropractors, contact us today.

chiropractor wilmington nc
By admin_seuser September 30, 2021 Chiropractic Care, Health , , ,

Chiropractor Wilmington NC: How to Improve Circulation

A healthy circulatory system is crucial to good health. To be at its best, your body needs to be able to keep blood pumping from the heart and lungs through the arteries to your organs and extremities, and then keep pumping it back to the lungs for re-oxygenation. Anything that interferes with the proper circulation of blood puts your body’s health at risk for lots of reasons. Our Chiropractor Wilmington NC explains more.

“Poor circulation” can mean many things. Common symptoms include having consistently cold fingers and toes, experiencing tingling in your feet and hands, feelings of numbness, tiredness and a general lack of energy, and chronically dry skin. More serious symptoms of poor circulation can include headaches, hair loss, dizzy spells, varicose veins, muscle cramps, feeling short of breath, memory lapses (due to impaired blood flow to the brain), bluish-tinted skin, and slow healing times for wounds.

What causes poor circulation?
One of the most common causes is inactivity and lack of exercise. To keep the blood moving, you need to keep your body in motion. And do it often. Poor diet and carrying excess weight can lead to poor circulation, as can diabetes and many other chronic diseases. Medically, if you have been diagnosed as hypertensive (having high blood pressure), this is almost always an indicator of poor circulation. The “high pressure” is caused by your heart having to pump harder to cause the blood to keep flowing, often because of blood vessels that have become constricted because of stress, disease, or the buildup of plaque.

How can poor circulation be treated?
Serious circulatory problems can be treated with medication. But for most people anxious to improve their circulation and thus their overall health, a few lifestyle changes can do wonders:
* Get more exercise. Walk rather than ride. Take the stairs rather than the elevator. Go for walks after lunch and go to the gym after work. Your body functions best with a minimum of 30 minutes exercise per day.
* Stretch more. Not just before exercising, but at your desk at work. Stretching helps to relieve stress, and stress is one of the things that can constrict your blood vessels.
* Get massages. Massage improves circulation by stimulating the soft tissues of your body and encouraging blood flow.
* Put your feet up. After you exercise, elevating your legs can really help you not only to relax, but increase your circulation. It also reduces your risk of developing varicose veins.
* Eat healthier foods. Try to eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats (from fish, olive oil, and nuts), and lean meats. Try to avoid processed foods.
* Drink more water, and less caffeine. When you’re thirsty, drink water instead of coffee or black tea or soft drinks. Try to cut down on or avoid alcohol, because it definitely impedes circulation.
* Don’t smoke, or quit smoking if you do. Nicotine and the pulmonary perils of smoking are among the most common causes of poor circulation.
* De-stress, however you can. Stress has an extremely negative effect on your circulation. So try to find healthy outlets for the stresses you encounter at work and in other areas of your life, to release the stress rather than have it build up and become toxic.
* Consider herbs and supplements that can help. Ginger, hawthorn berry, cayenne, motherwort, garlic, ginkgo biloba and vitamins C and E all can help to improve your circulation.
If any of the symptoms become chronic, see your doctor or chiropractor. Don’t try to “tough it out” and live with the discomfort of consistent symptoms of poor circulation. Some of the causes can be very serious indeed, so see an expert to make sure.

If you need a chiropractor Wilmington NC contact us today.

chiropractor in leland nc
By admin_seuser September 7, 2021 Chiropractic Care, Health , ,

Chiropractor in Leland NC: Benefits of Copper

Like some of the other essential dietary minerals, copper is needed only in trace amounts for your body to function properly. Nevertheless, copper is vital to many of the body’s functions, so it is important to ensure that you are not copper deficient (which is actually quite rare). Since the human body cannot synthesize copper on its own, it must be absorbed by the body from the food we eat. Our Chiropractor in Leland NC explains more.

Copper combines with protein to produce enzymes that spur a wide range of bodily functions. It plays a key role in energy production, supports the brain and central nervous system, and helps in the creation and metabolism of neurotransmitters. It also is important in the formation of connective tissue (including that of the heart and blood vessels) and plays a part in bone formation. It is necessary for proper iron metabolism and the healthy formation of red blood cells. It is also responsible for the production of melanin, the pigment that gives color to the skin, eyes and hair. Copper acts as an antioxidant and is important for a healthy immune system.

As mentioned earlier, copper deficiency is relatively uncommon. However, some people are more prone to a deficiency than others. This includes those who have cystic fibrosis, severely restricted diets, or problems with absorption through the gut (such as individuals with celiac disease). Infants and the elderly are also more prone to copper deficiency. Infants may be more at risk they have been fed only cow’s milk formula (cow’s milk is very low in copper).

The recommended daily intake of copper is as follows:
Infants, birth to 6 months: 200 mcg/day
Infants, 7 – 12 months: 220 mcg/day
Children, 1 – 3 years: 340 mcg/day
Children, 4 – 8 years: 440 mcg/day
Children, 9 – 13 years: 700 mcg/day
Adolescents, 14 – 18 years: 890 mcg/day
Adults, 19 years and older: 900 mcg/day
Pregnant women: 1,000 mcg/day
Breastfeeding women: 1,300 mcg/day

Being deficient in copper can contribute to anemia and osteoporosis as well as a variety of other health problems. However, having too much copper in your system can actually be toxic. Signs of copper toxicity include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain that can eventually lead to kidney and liver failure, coma and death. Taking high amounts of zinc can lower copper levels that have become too high.
Children should get the copper they need from their diet rather than from supplements. Adults who are considering taking a copper supplement should consult with their doctor before doing so, since it is important not to get too much copper, and it must have a proper balance with zinc. Foods rich in copper include liver, nuts (particularly cashews, almonds and Brazil nuts), seeds, legumes, clams and oysters.

If you need a chiropractor in Leland NC contact us today.

chiropractic wilmington nc
By admin_seuser November 6, 2020 Back Pain, Chiropractic Care, Health, Work Injury ,

Chiropractic Wilmington NC: Are Stand-Up Desks Really Any Healthier for Office Workers?

Standing desks or stand-up desks are not a new fad. They’ve been around since at least the time of Benjamin Franklin, the founding father who used one over two hundred years ago. However, there remains a great deal of controversy regarding the benefits and drawbacks of stand-up desks. Our provider of Chiropractic Wilmington NC explains more.

A number of sources agree that standing up while you work gives you more energy and keeps you more alert. The University of Chester performed a study in 2013 that showed heartbeats rose by ten beats per minute because of standing. This increased the number of calories burned each day. In addition, blood glucose levels after lunch returned to normal far faster in those study subjects who stood as they worked.

Others have found that standing helps reduce lower back pain. Users of stand-up desks found that they engaged more fully with their colleagues and felt more ready for action if something called them away from their desk. They felt their minds wandered far less and they stayed more focused. Some users even found that stand-up desks lent themselves to certain “power poses” that benefited physiology, increasing testosterone and decreasing cortisol, the stress hormone.

Stand-up desk users seemed to agree, though, that leg and foot soreness can be a problem. This may be a particular problem for individuals who are just starting to use a stand-up desk user and whose bodies aren’t yet accustomed to the new way of working. More comfortable shoes and an anti-fatigue mat can help reduce this problem. Gradually building up the amount of time spent at a stand-up desk can also help.
If you do opt for a stand-up desk, it’s important to get one at the right height. Because each person is different, getting a custom desk built can be prohibitively expensive. A better alternative is to get an adjustable desk. One with hydraulic power can be lowered for occasional sitting and increased to a custom height to suit your individual needs.

Sitting for long periods each day can lead to all manner of illnesses—heart disease, diabetes, vein disease and more. But standing for long periods can also create health risks, especially vein disease.

A Cornell University ergonomics team found that the real solution was simply to move around regularly. If you’re sitting at a desk, stand up every 20–30 minutes and move around for two minutes. The movement gets the blood pumping, increases calorie burn, and decreases the risks for heart disease, diabetes and other ailments. This doesn’t require vigorous exercise. Simply pacing for a couple of minutes will be enough to undo the damage of sitting for half an hour. This, of course, requires an awareness of the time and a measure of discipline to move when the appointed time arrives. Adding some moderate exercise to your daily routine can do wonders for your health, even without the use of a stand-up desk.

Has sitting for long periods of time taken a toll on your body? Contact our chiropractic Wilmington NC care provider today!

chiropractor wilmington nc
By admin_seuser November 4, 2020 Health, Sports, Uncategorized

Anatomy of the Foot

Imagine for a moment how your life would change if each of your feet were made up of a single, rigid bone rather than several smaller ones. To begin with, the way we carry our weight while standing and the way we walk would be quite different and much less elegant. Our feet are designed to provide a strong, stable foundation to keep our bodies upright, while at the same time being flexible enough to allow for changes in shape that permit balance and agility.

The human foot is a remarkable example of nature’s gift for engineering complex structures with functional finesse. Amazingly, the feet contain a quarter of all the body’s bones in a very compact area!
At the bottom of the lower leg, the tibia and fibula are connected to the foot at the ankle bone, called the talus. The ankle joint is thus formed by the junction of the lower leg’s tibia and fibula with the foot’s talus. The talus is the second-largest bone in the foot and supports all of the body’s weight.

The calcaneus, or heel bone, resides underneath and behind the talus at an angle, completing the arch at the back of the foot. The forward part of the arch is formed by rows of bones, starting with the small navicular bone in front of the talus. In front of the navicular are the three cuneiform bones. From the inside of the foot, they are the medial cuneiform, intermediate cuneiform and the lateral cuneiform. Adjacent to these two rows and overlapping them resides the cuboid bone on the exterior side of the foot. The cuboid starts below the front of the talus, but is also adjacent to the front end of the calcaneus. All of these bones of the foot form what is call the tarsus or tarsal bones.

The remaining rows of bones are the metatarsals and phalanges. Directly in front of the three cuneiforms reside the five long metatarsals. Directly in front of these are the proximal phalanges of the toes. Next are the middle phalanges and finally the distal phalanges. The big toe does not have a middle phalange.

Over a hundred tendons, ligaments and muscles connect all of these and allow a great deal of freedom of movement and control over the bones. These are critical for maintaining balance, and for allowing fine degrees of control in movement for walking, running and jumping. The more energetic movements are driven by muscles in the legs, but there are other muscles in the foot that allow for the finer degrees of movement needed for balance.

The foot arch acts as a shock absorber to keep each stride in walking and running from transferring too much of a jolt to the rest of the body. Without it (as well as shock absorption from the ankles and knees), the spine would be especially vulnerable to stress from repeated impacts.

Our chiropractor Wilmington NC explains that problems in the feet can create trouble farther up the body. Poor footwear, poor lateral angle of the foot during walking, and other difficulties with the feet can place extra stress on the ankle, knee, hip and spine, throwing your entire body out of alignment. The bad news is that this misalignment can have a variety of negative effects on your health and wellbeing. But the good news is that addressing problems with the feet can often alleviate these other issues.
Remember—good musculoskeletal health starts from the ground up! If you have any questions or concerns, please call or visit our office.

If you are experiencing back pain, neck pain, or foot pain, call us today.

By goodbackcare June 22, 2020 0 Comments Chiropractic Care, Health , , , , , ,

Chiropractic Treatments for Stress Relief

 

wilmington nc chiropractor

Stress is one of the top health concerns of the modern age. It can not only exacerbate certain health condition, it can even cause them. And, in many cases, chronic stress can be deadly. For years, the medical establishment has sought to treat stress through man-made medications designed to help ease anxieties, relieve depression, and soothe muscle tension. These drugs, however, come with a litany of other problematic side effects, many of which can be just as detrimental to one’s health as the stress it’s aimed at helping. At Southeastern Healthcare, our Wilmington NC chiropractor uses chiropractic treatments as a valid and proven way to relieve stress without relying harsh chemicals and toxic ingredients found in most prescription drugs. Here are some of the ways chiropractic treatments can help improve your stress relief.

Chiropractic Care Treats Stress at Its Core

One of the most common symptoms of chronic stress is extreme muscle tension and contraction over a prolonged period of time. Eventually, the muscle tension causes uneven pressure being applied to the body’s bony structures. This often results in the spinal column becoming misaligned. The problem is that as long as the spine is out of alignment, the muscle tension will remain or even worsen because the muscles have to compensate for the spine’s loss of flexibility.

Another problem caused by chronic stress is nerve irritation and this is also worsened when a spine is misaligned. Often in these cases, blood flow becomes restricted to certain areas, causing them to become inflamed and painful. Through the gentle manipulations of chiropractic treatments, a chiropractor can ease tension in the muscles, re-align the spinal column, and increase blood and oxygen flow to nerves.

An aligned spine is one of the best natural deterrents to dealing with stress because it allows the muscles to remain supple and it promotes even blood and oxygen flow throughout the body.

Other Ways a Chiropractor Can Help Alleviate Stress

Along with being a holistic practitioner of spinal manipulation, your chiropractor is also trained in helping patients alleviate stress through a number of other means. Your chiropractor can teach you relaxation techniques that will help you reduce stress naturally. He or she will also help you improve your posture, which believe it or not, can have an impact on your body’s stress levels. They can even give you advice on which vitamins and supplements you can take to help combat environmental stressors.

Manage Your Stress and Live a Healthier Life – Visit Your Wilmington NC Chiropractor Today

We live in a stressful world. There’s nothing you can do about that. But, there are natural ways to cope with stress other than relying on chemical-laden drugs. If you want to give your body its best protection against chronic stress, make an appointment with Southeastern Healthcare’s Wilmington NC chiropractor today. We are here for you. Our chiropractic team can help you ensure your body is aligned, relaxed, and capable of handling anything this crazy world throws at it. With six locations throughout the Wilmington area, we have an office conveniently close to you.

By goodbackcare June 18, 2020 0 Comments Chiropractic Care, Health , , , , , , ,

Migraine Sufferers and Chiropractic Care

neck pain chiropractorIf you’ve ever suffered a migraine, then you know they’re not your average headache. Migraines are seriously debilitating and excruciatingly painful and for those that have them frequently, they’re actually considered a chronic neurological disorder. Visit a Wilmington NC chiropractor today.

What is a Migraine?

A migraine is characterized by recurring moderate-to-severe headaches. In most cases, the pain radiates along one side of the head and it is usually accompanied by nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and in severe cases, vomiting. A migraine sufferer can experience these symptoms for up to 72 hours. A third of migraine sufferers claim that they often experience transient visual and sensory disturbances prior to the onset of a migraine.

There is little known about the cause and effect of migraines, but studies indicate that certain behaviors and sensory inputs can trigger the painful events. As a result, avoiding one’s triggers is an important part in most preventive strategies.

How are Migraines Treated?

Most conventional migraine treatments focus on managing the painful symptoms of the condition and not the cause itself. Usually, this involves taking prescribed pain medications or over-the-counter NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) or a combination of an analgesic drug and caffeine.

The problem with these tactics is that they only work on about half of all migraine sufferers. As a result, stronger drugs are sometimes prescribed, such as those in the ergotamine or triptan families.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help Relieve Your Migraines

In a recent study published in Headache magazine, it was found that among 225 migraine sufferers, the same percentage of people sought chiropractic care as did pharmaceutical pain relief. While this may be a surprise to most doctors, these results are expected among chiropractors because the profession has been successfully treating migraine sufferers for years.

Chiropractic care involves subtle manipulation of the spine, massage, and adjustment of the body’s soft tissues and joints to help relieve the inflammation, tension, and pain associated with migraines. Unlike pharmaceutical treatments, chiropractic care is natural, safe, non-addictive, and effective, and it works without the risk of side effects.

How effective?

In a 2000 study on 127 patients who suffered at least one migraine a month, the patients were separated into two groups – one group would receive targeted chiropractic care while the second group would receive inactive treatment. The group that received chiropractic care specifically tailored for migraine relief experienced a significant reduction in migraine frequency and intensity while the second group experienced no change in their condition. In fact, one in five of the treated group experienced a 90% reduction in the frequency of their headaches and many reported a reduction in their need for medication.

If You Suffer From Migraines, Southeastern Wilmington NC Chiropractor Can Help

At Southeastern Healthcare, we’re experts at helping migraine sufferers find lasting relief. If you suffer from debilitating migraines, call us today. We are here for you. Our chiropractic team can help you manage your pain naturally and effectively. Discover for yourself the difference that safe and effective chiropractic care can make. With six locations throughout the Wilmington NC chiropractor area, we have an office conveniently close to you.