Neuromuscular Headache Blog - I Hate Headaches

No, not all headaches are the same, and there is no "one size fits all" cure for all types of headaches. But one fact does remain constant - prevention is the best medicine.

If you experience frequent headaches, there are many ways you can take preventative measures to either lessen the frequency or diminish the intensity of your headaches.

Start by keeping a headache diary. If you know what your headache triggers are, you can readily take steps to avoid them or if you can't avoid them, at least you will have identified the source of your headaches. If you have experienced a headache following a head trauma, the best idea is to consult with your doctor immediately. There are also several dental issues that can cause headaches, such as TMD/TMJ disease. So if your medical doctor hasn't been able to find the source of your headache pain, you may want to consult with a neuromuscular dentist.

There are also many lifestyle changes that you can try. For example, to prevent stress headaches, start with exercise, bio-feedback practices, yoga, meditation, etc. Keep your sleeping and eating schedule as consistent as possible. And, of course, part of that requires that you watch what you eat and make healthy choices. Several packaged foods contain chemicals such as MSG, which has come to light as a prolific headache trigger. Other foods may trigger allergies, which can also lead to some serious headache pain.

If possible, avoid smoking, second-hand smoke and the abuse of alcohol. Smoking makes your blood vessels dilate and keeps oxygen from flowing into your muscles, which can in turn cause a headache. Alcohol can make you dehydrated, and the obvious result of dehydration is…yup, a headache.

Last, but not least, watch your posture, stretch your neck and shoulders whenever possible and remember what your mother said all those years ago, "Sit up straight and pay attention!". Headaches are your body’s way of telling you there’s something wrong, even if just temporarily. Listen when your body speaks and perhaps avoid headaches all together.

If you live in Alabama, Nebraska, California, Illinois, Texas, Utah or Northern Virginia, and need more help preventing your headaches, please contact us at I Hate Headaches to meet with one of our headache specialists, today.