7 All-Natural Ways to Prevent Headaches

Do you suffer from headaches? There is a good chance that you do. More people complain about headaches than any other medical ailment. Approximately 45 million Americans complain about headaches each year which translates to about 1 in every 6 people. There are many causes for headaches. Below is a list of some common ways to deal with them.

1. Correct your posture.

– Many people sit at a desk all day with their head too far forward looking at a computer screen. The stress that this position places on the muscles, joints and the nerves of your neck often lead to headaches. So watch your posture and get your head back and upright.

2. Get a good cervical pillow.

– A lot of pillows have a hump built into them. That hump is there to support the natural curvature of your neck. Use a good cervical pillow to relieve the pressure on your neck that might be causing your headaches.

3. Drink more water.

– Water is necessary for proper functioning of the body as well as helping to flush out toxins. A good rule of thumb is to drink half your body weight in ounces. So for example, if you weigh 160lbs then you want to strive for drinking 80oz of water a day.

4. De-stress

– Too many of us are overworked and over stressed. Make time every day to unwind and relax. That could take the form of deep breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, listening to relaxing music or positive mental imagery.

5. Visit your chiropractor

– Headaches are often due to a structural problem in the neck. When the nerves of the upper neck become irritated due to a misalignment of the neck, it often leads to headaches. Chiropractic adjustments can correct this biomechanical fault and eliminate the headaches.

6. Stretch your neck.

– Tight muscles are often the culprit of headaches. Stretching your neck on a regular basis can help relieve that undo pressure. Stretch your neck by alternating between each of these positions: chin to chest, chin back up to the ceiling, chin to the left shoulder, and then chin to the right shoulder. Hold each position for a count of 5 and cycle through all of these positions 5 times altogether.

7. Watch your diet

– There are many headache triggers in our diet. Here are a few to look out for. Nitrates and nitrites are found in many processed meats. Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavor enhancer found in foods that has been shown to be linked to migraines. Other triggers include caffeine, alcohol and aspartame (an artificial sweetener). Treating your headaches may be as simple as removing one or more of these triggers from your diet.

If you or someone you know suffers from headaches, we may be able to help you at Health Quest through chiropractic, physical therapy, massage or family medicine. Call us today to schedule and evaluation at 573-635-9655.
Dr. Ted C. Tang D.C.