Has the beginning of the year given you a massive headache that you can’t seem to shake?  Catching up from the holidays, getting ready for tax season, nasty weather and a slew of other stresses can lead to a lot of headaches this time of the year.  I have seen the effects of these headaches in a lot of my patients.

Unfortunately stress headaches aren’t always just headaches.  Some of them have been associated with light-headedness, ear pain, jaw pain, pain down the arm and, of course, neck pain.  Of course we have had a lot of success treating these issues, but the question that is most important to everyone is “How can I AVOID these headaches?”

Unfortunately stress is a part of our lives.  It always has been and it always will be.  Stress affects everyone in different ways.  Some people just have the tight musculature that is commonly associated with it.  Others start losing their hair.  Yet others can’t function socially.  Stress tends to attack our body’s weakest systems, and cause them to dysfunction.

Managing our stress levels will set us up to avoid a lot of the negative things, like headaches, that it can cause.  The beginning of the year is always stressful, but there are ways that you can limit the stress that you feel.  First of all, stay active.  Don’t let yourself fall into the trap of terrible weather keeping you from working out.  You need to keep moving to eliminate some of that negative stress, as well as increase the blood flow to some of the areas that need it most.

Secondly, keep stretching.  I know that stretching isn’t much fun.  It is however very effective in keeping a lot of tension out of your muscles.  It is also very relaxing, which is very convenient when you are looking for a break from the high stress lifestyle you likely live.

Finally, get regular massage and/or chiropractic treatments.  If you keep everything in working order, stress will have a hard time overcoming those systems.  Like I mentioned above, stress tends to attack your body’s weaknesses.  If you keep those weaker points in good working order, you eliminate some of the effect that stress can have.

Of course managing stress levels isn’t the only solution to eliminating headaches.  You must also remember to use proper techniques when you do work.  Proper posture is one of the best things that you can do for yourself.  In the proper posture, a lot of stress is taken off of the muscles, as they are doing exactly what they were designed to do.  By keeping yourself in these positions, you eliminate some of the stresses that are placed on the areas that aren’t designed to pick up that extra work-load.  Two of the biggest offenders in this category are work stations (computer and desks) and recliners.

Taking breaks for yourself is also important.  I know a lot of people are working seven days a week right now, trying to catch up from the onslaught that takes place in many businesses at the end of the year.  Your body/mind can only take this for so long before something gives in.  Your break may be a walk at the lake (we have had excellent weather for this), some time with the kids, reading an entertaining book or spoiling yourself with a little bit of TV (just don’t watch too much, as this can cause other issues that lead to headaches).

Whatever you decide to do, please remember that a lot of these issues are preventable.  Take a few minutes every day to work on your health, and you can avoid some of the nasty things that it leads to.  Headaches are some of the worst, as they are often one of the first things that you notice is feeling “off”.  As Benjamin Franklin said “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

If you have questions, or would like to discuss this further, please contact me at:

Jeffrey L. Cumro, Doctor of Chiropractic, Certified Personal Trainer
Better Life Chiropractic and Wellness, LLC
          Better Care > Better Health > Better Life
          10700 Sapp Bros Dr, Omaha, NE  68138
402-210-1472
BetterLifeNE@gmail.com
www.BetterLifeNE.com