The second moat treatable headaches that we see here at Schafer Chiropractic is the sinus pressure headache. These headaches typically feel more like pressure rather pain. The location is also different, as it is usually more centrally located at the forehead, whereas tension headaches will typically feel more like a band all across the forehead.
The treatment approach is also much different. Seasonal allergies like tree pollen, weed, grass and mold are often the biggest trigger. Herbal antihistamines such as Ortho-Molecular's D-Hist are very good at helping with flare-ups without making you feel tired nor "wired". Certainly we cannot control mother nature's eternal succession of airborne plant pollen, spores, and seeds. However, considering that you are likely spending about 1/3 of your life in bed (sleeping, of course), it stands to reason that this is a good place to control your environment. Using a air purifier here is often very helpful at easing your symptoms.
It is also important to remember that PV=nRT. What's that you say? Can't remember your high school physics? Without going into details on the "ideal Gas Law", just know that air pressure is related to humidity. Higher humidity makes us feel our sinus pressure more. Once again, we cannot control the weather, but perhaps a dehumidifier in your home or bedroom would be a good idea. This is particularly true for us in west Michigan.
I know what you are thinking-do chiropractic adjustments help? Yes! Although the mechanism is still not well understood, i have seen many patients' sinus passages clear after an adjustment. Having a tissue nearby is essential, as it is sometimes instantaneous and dramatic. I should note that this does not always happen, and it is often hard to predict if it will.
Stay tuned for our next post. Part 3 : Migraines
