Headaches can occur seemingly from nowhere, in the middle of the workday or when relaxing during your day off. The headache sensation isn’t uncommon, and most of the time simple remedies prevent the condition from worsening. However, for some people, it can be concerning when headaches last longer than a few hours, keep you stuck in bed or prevent you from your normal activities. We share with you how to manage the onset of a headache, helping you determine when to be worried and when to seek immediate headache treatment from a medical professional.

Initial headache treatment: hydration

Easily one of the chief causes of headaches is dehydration; during times of excessive exercise, alcohol consumption and caffeine intake, the body can lose water quickly. During the onset of a headache, an easy and effective treatment option is rehydration, and you may find this will offset your headache symptoms rapidly. If your headache is more serious, drinking water won’t deter any follow-up treatments, so this option is always a wise choice.

Initial headache treatment: massage

Tension headaches are quite common, especially with desk dwellers and sedentary professions. Often these types of headaches resonate within the neck or shoulder muscles, from extreme muscle tension and tightness due to postural misalignments. Massage can often provide headache relief for muscular issues, combined with the application of heat and ice. These at-home treatments can help relieve immediate headaches and help sufferers return to healthy life between seeking medical treatment.

Persistent headache treatment: chiropractor

One-off headaches can be symptomatic of life events and sporadic activities and usually aren’t anything concerning. But in the case of persistent, regular headaches, seeking treatment from your local chiropractor may be a good idea. Your headaches could be due to postural issues, as we mentioned earlier, or other musculoskeletal problems that the chiropractor can address. Living with reoccurring headaches isn’t advised, so make an appointment as soon as you can.

Other areas you may need to address alongside your chiropractic treatments is your diet, exercise and medications. The combination of these lifestyle factors may be contributing to relentless headaches, and simple changes may help to manage the condition ongoing.

Emergency headache treatment: symptoms

Some headaches are the sign of more severe issues that require immediate medical attention. Fevers, slurred speech, numbness throughout the body, and an inability to lift your limbs should be addressed medically. If you're suffering any of these problems, don’t hesitate to seek treatment.

Are headaches a persistent problem for you? Contact us at Melville Wellness to discuss the best treatment options for you!