Headaches…

At some point, everyone is susceptible to the headache.

But what puts the “ache” in our headaches? Unfortunately, for about 20% of the population, frequent stress can lead to chronic, recurring headaches. So what causes this unwelcome visitor?

Mostly, headaches are caused by stress that the body has been unable to properly adapt to. These stresses might include:

• chemical stress (like caffeine withdrawal)
• emotional stress (like excessive busyness)
• physical stress (like muscle tension)

Each year Americans spend in excess of $2.5 BILLION on acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin and ibuprofen. These drugs, apart from their numerous side effects, treat only the symptoms while ignoring the root cause of the headache. Though certain foods, alcohol and stress may be the culprits, a frequently overlooked cause of headaches actually stems from your nervous system. The root cause of that headache of yours often stems from nerve interference (subluxation) and spinal misalignments in your upper neck.

Subluxation? What in the world does that have to do with headaches?

We know that a headache is not a “brain” ache. The real culprit is the pain of sensitive structures of the head. As spinal nerves and associated tissues and structures are compressed, stretched or irritated, they can produce abnormal body function. Hopefully you’ve guessed it…Headaches are a common effect of this abnormal, stress-induced state.

So next time you reach for the over-the-counter drugs, just remember that while they may cover up these warning signs that the body is malfunctioning, they do nothing to correct the underlying cause or the associated bodily malfunction. These days many people are inclined to believe that headaches are to be accepted as a normal part of life due to their common occurrence. However, headaches are your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong.