Headaches are a common problem afflicting many people, especially in the modern world. They are often debilitating, affecting not only enjoyment and quality of life, but also work and productivity. They can lay a toll on a person emotionally and physically. Frequent headaches can affect relationships, families, and children. So what really causes them?

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The primary causes of headaches are some kind of stress – either a physical stress to the upper neck, emotional stress that creates tension in the head, or a chemical stress created by things such as alcohol, medications, and other chemical exposure.

Frontal Headaches

Headaches in the front region of the head, are especially related to stress. People in highly stressful jobs, or undergoing a stressful situation in life are more likely to have headaches in this area. Usually the eyes feel tired and may be red and irritated. Some situations that frequently cause these types of headaches are the death of a close family member, caring for a sick family member over a long period of time, financial difficulty, working long hours, and sitting in front of a computer for long hours. Frontal headaches are often related to dry eyes, dehydration, too much coffee consumption, and lack of sleep.

Headaches In Back and Sides of Head

Headaches in the back and sides of the head are related to not living our dreams, to feelings of depression, anxiety, disempowerment, helplessness, and boredom. They are also related to trauma in the upper part of the spine that caused the spinal bones to become out of alignment. When the bones of the upper neck, the atlas and axis, are out of alignment, it puts pressure on the brainstem. Although the brainstem is a small area, it is an extremely important part of the brain. The nerve connections of the motor and sensory systems for the whole body pass through it. This includes the nerve pathways that deal with pain, fine touch, vibration, and proprioception. Cardiac and respiratory function is regulated here. Ten of the 12 pairs of cranial nerves originate in the brainstem, whose purposes include the sensory and motor functions of the brain, eyes, tongue, neck and shoulder muscles, and facial muscles. So imagine what tension on the brainstem can result in? Yes, you guessed it, headaches! Also restricted breathing, abnormal heart rate or function, poor balance, tight jaws and shoulders, and many more.

Causes of Misalignment to the Atlas and Axis

• Stress
• Falls
• Car Accidents including whiplash
• Improper sleeping positions
• Sitting with neck in front of shoulders or with neck in flexed position on a daily basis for many years. Computer use and studying encourages this position.
• Exercise, such as some weight lifting exercises or yoga positions
• Birth, so babies often have misalignment in the upper neck
• Repetitive movements involving the arms and shoulders, especially one sided movements.

Your Solution

The first part of the solution is to remove the stress from your brainstem. Network Spinal Analysis (NSA) is a very gentle chiropractic method that involves light contacts to areas of the spine, which engages the nervous system to learn how to release stress and tension on it’s own. NSA care is effective at helping people to release stress in the spine and muscles, helping the nervous system to heal the body from the inside out. Headaches are among the many maladies that people regularly heal from with NSA care in our office.

As mentioned, headaches are often caused by anxiety and depression as well. NSA care changes the patterns of the brain, helping our practice members to change thinking and behavior towards more positive and life-enhancing thoughts and actions. It actually helps you change your thinking and perspective! Suffering from headaches affects many people, and help is available. True healing involves changing something on the inside, not simply covering up a symptom with a pill. We are here to help you facilitate this change inside you!