So Many Headaches, so Little Time!

Headaches have a number of different causes and many of them are still largly not understood. Below is a list of common types of headaches, the causes or triggers known to be associated with them, and what you can do to manage them.  

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1. Migraine Headaches: Migraines are very common and can be quite debilitating.  They usually manifest as unilateral (one-sided) headaches that may cause pain in both the face and neck.  They may start as a result of a "trigger" such as the ingestion of caffeine or chocolate, or exposure to certain chemicals or pollen.  It is not uncommon for people to also experience dizziness, vomiting or nausea in conjunction with the pain.  Many also experience light sensitivity or double vision.  Migraine headaches can last anywhere between several minutes to several days and may come on quite frequently.  In some individuals, they take on a very regular pattern or come on in times of stress.  The exact cause of migraines is still largely not understood.  It is thought to possibly relate to vascular spasms related to the above "triggers".  Management of migraine headaches often involves avoiding the triggers of the symptoms, stress management, or medication.  Chiropractic care can also yield some significant results in some cases.  

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2. Tension Headaches: Tension headaches are related to stress.  These headaches typically present as a band of tightness or pain across both eyes and in the temples.  These headaches are largely stress related and usually last for about 5 to 7 days.  These headaches can be managed fairly well with stress management and conservative care.  Talk to your chiropractor for details on managing this condition. 

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3. Cluster Headaches: Cluster headaches are extremely painful headaches on one side of the face.  They present as a sharp stabbing sensation behind the eye and are most common in men.  Tearing of the eye, sweating, or runny nose may all be present in an episode of a cluster headache.  These headaches may last for anywhere from days to months and can be quite debilitating.  These headaches are typically treated medically although patients may find some relief from conservative management as well.  

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4. Cervicogenic Headaches:  These headaches stem from a problem in the neck region.  Muscle tightness and joint fixation in the muscles of the neck may cause you to feel pain in the back of the head and up over the top of your head, to the front of your eyes.  Applying pressure to the muscles of the back of the head often helps to relax them and can relieve some of the symptoms on a temporary basis.  People with cervicogenic headaches often do very well under the managment of a chiropractor.  Adjustments and soft tissue work to the joints and muscles of the neck help to relax the area and release the pressure causing the headache.  

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These headaches are some of the most common headaches amongour population.  As you may have noticed, many of these headaches are associated with sress and muscle tightness in the neck region.  Chiropractic care can relieve the tension in your muscles and joints and may also help decrease the frequency or intensity of your headaches.  To see if chiropractic care may help to improve your quality of life, we invite you to chontact our office for your free initial consultation.  If you're ready to schedule your first visit, you may call our office during business hours, or you may schedule your first visit 24/7 through our convenient online scheduling option.  

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Dr. Alesha Fleming

Natural Health and Wellness Chiropractic, LLC

Daytona Beach, FL

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Dr. Fleming is a family chiropractor in Daytona Beach, Florida.  She is passionate about preventative health care and nutrition and enjoys empowering her patients to improve their health and fitness, one day at a time!

What is COPD? Are you at risk and can chiropractic help?

I have composed a series of articles discussing how chiropractic care can be incorporated in the treatment plan for a variety of different conditions.  Chiropractic adjustments, in addition to making you feel good due to freeing up irritation to the nervous system, can be an effective tool to assist in the management many different conditions.  Since your nervous system is involved in nearly every function in your body, having a healthy nervous system is essential to maintaining good health! I hope you enjoy this series! Please let me know if you would like to see other conditions discussed in the future!

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (also known as COPD) describes a set of respiratory conditions, the most common of which are Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis.  These conditions are commonly seen in individuals with a long history of smoking and can severely affect one's quality of life.  Both conditions involve difficulty breathing and usually require medical intervention, especially in the advanced stages.  Although chiropractic care will not cure chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, many patients find symptomatic relief by visiting a chiropractor.  Upon visiting the office, your chiropractor will conduct an examination to find out if you are a good candidate for chiropractic care, and what treatment plan will best suit your needs.  Your treatment plan may involve an adjustment of the thoracic (mid back) region of your spine, or your ribs.  Improving the motion in your rib cage may allow you to breath more easily and take in more air with each breath.  Since many patients with emphysema and bronchitis have trouble taking in enough oxygen, this could help improve your blood gases and provide some relief of your symptoms, making every day life a little bit easier.  Chiropractic care can also help improve other aspects of your daily life by improving the function of your joints, muscles, and nervous system.  For more ways in which chiropractic care can help improve your quality of life, be sure to check out the "Resources" tab at the top of the page.  Here you will find a number of other conditions for which chiropractic care may be of benefit, as well as more information on how our office may help you reach your health goals.  If you'd like more information on your unique condition, you may contact our office to schedule your free initial consultation with Dr. Fleming. 

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Dr. Alesha Fleming

Natural Health and Wellness Chiropractic, LLC

Daytona Beach, FL

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Dr. Fleming is a family chiropractor in Daytona Beach, Florida.  She is passionate about preventative health care and nutrition and enjoys empowering her patients to improve their health and fitness, one day at a time!

Natural Management of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a disorder that occurs when the fibrous sheath covering the front of your wrist becomes too tight, causing compression on the median nerve, a nerve that supplies the muscles and skin of the thumb-side of your hand.  Signs and symptoms of the disorder may include numbness or tingling in the hand and fingers, pain in the hand or wrist, or even weakness in the muscles of the hand.  You may notice the pain or weakness when you are squeezing or holding objects such as a pen or door knob. Repetitive activities such as typing or writing may also cause you to feel these symptoms.  

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I have composed a series of articles discussing how chiropractic care can be incorporated in the treatment plan for a variety of different conditions.  Chiropractic adjustments, in addition to making you feel good due to freeing up irritation to the nervous system, can be an effective tool to assist in the management many different conditions.  Since your nervous system is involved in nearly every function in your body, having a healthy nervous system is essential to maintaining good health! I hope you enjoy this series! Please let me know if you would like to see other conditions discussed in the future!

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition that is commonly seen in the chiropractic setting and that can usually be effectively managed conservatively.  After conducting an exam, your chiropractor will give you a treatment plan to address your condition.  This treatment plan will likely consist of in-office treatment, as well as home care recommendations.  In the office, she may also administer adjustments to your wrist if areas of joint fixation are found in that area.  There are eight tiny bones in your wrist! Misalignment of these bones may further compress your carpal tunnel and worsen the compression of the median nerve.  Providing an adjustment in the form of traction (stretching) or through the use of a low-force instrument, may assist in opening up your carpal tunnel.  Your doctor may also offer support in the form of bracing or athletic taping to allow your carpal tunnel to open up as the inflammation dies down.  Finally, she may recommend certain lifestyle modifications or ergonomic retraining, as well as home exercises or stretches to help retrain your muscles and relax the tension in your wrist.  Your treatment recommendations depend on your condition and the way in which you acquired your specific problem.  

  

There are several different conditions that present with symptoms similar to those of carpal tunnel and it is therefore a condition that is often misdiagnosed.  Therefore, if you think you may have this condition, be sure to visit your chiropractor so that she may examine the area to determine the correct diagnosis.  

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Dr. Alesha Fleming

Natural Health and Wellness Chiropractic, LLC

Daytona Beach, FL

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Dr. Fleming is a family chiropractor in Daytona Beach, Florida.  She is passionate about preventative health care and nutrition and enjoys empowering her patients to improve their health and fitness, one day at a time!

Would You Rather - Back Surgery of Chiropractic?

 I have composed a series of articles discussing how chiropractic care can be incorporated in the treatment plan for a variety of different conditions.  Chiropractic adjustments, in addition to making you feel good due to freeing up irritation to the nervous system, can be an effective tool to assist in the management many different conditions.  Since your nervous system is involved in nearly every function in your body, having a healthy nervous system is essential to maintaining good health! I hope you enjoy this series! Please let me know if you would like to see other conditions discussed in the future!

If you could prevent a cold from coming on before it kept you from missing work? Or prevent your son from suffering that sports injury that forces him to sit out the rest of the season? And even better, how would you like to avoid having to give up the time, energy, money and undergoing the pain and significant chances of disability involved with back surgery.  Regular chiropractic care can help solve all of these problems and more.   

In a recent study of 1,450 patients with similar diagnoses of degenerative disc disease, only 26% of people who have back surgery return back to work in 2 years, compared with 67% of those who don't receive surgery.

In the same study, there was a 41% increase the use of painkillers - especially opiates - compared to individuals who did not have spine surgery.  

 There is an actual diagnosis called "failed back surgery syndrome".  This diagnosis describes a patient who did not experience improvement in pain symptoms after having surgery.  

Based on various sources and research, somewhere between 40% and 75% of back surgeries fail.  In other words, 40-75% of patients get no improvement after surgery.  Many patients even get worse.  

Back surgery is just one of the many things that regular chiropractic care can help prevent.  Visit your local family chiropractor today to find out how she can help you live a happier and a healthier life.  

Dr. Alesha Fleming

Natural Health and Wellness Chiropractic, LLC

Daytona Beach, FL

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Sources: 

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/39658423/ns/health-pain_center/t/back-surgery-may-backfire-patients-pain/#.Vs0us5MrLaY

http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/back-surgery/failed-back-surgery-syndrome-fbss-what-it-and-how-avoid-pain-after-surgery

Want to know more about preventative health right NOW?

Visit the www.nhwchiro.com to download Dr. Fleming's eBook for free today!

Dr. Fleming is a family chiropractor in Daytona Beach, Florida.  She is passionate about preventative health care and nutrition and enjoys empowering her patients to improve their health and fitness, one day at a time!

The Most Common Reason For Visits to the Chiropractor

I have composed a series of articles discussing how chiropractic care can be incorporated in the treatment plan for a variety of different conditions.  Chiropractic adjustments, in addition to making you feel good due to freeing up irritation to the nervous system, can be an effective tool to assist in the management many different conditions.  Since your nervous system is involved in nearly every function in your body, having a healthy nervous system is essential to maintaining good health! I hope you enjoy this series! Please let me know if you would like to see other conditions discussed in the future!

Back pain one of the conditions most commonly treated by chiropractors.  There are literally hundreds of different conditions that can manifest themselves as back pain so be sure to visit your chiropractor before attempting to treat or manage your back pain yourself.  Very often, back pain is a result of a musculoskeletal condition, meaning that it is a result of a disorder in the muscles, joints, or bones.  If this is the case, chiropractic care may be an appropriate and effective treatment option!  

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Recent studies have shown that adding chiropractic care to your treatment regimen is significantly more effective in managing back pain that conventional medical treatment alone.  If you are suffering from back pain, whether the pain has been short or long term, there is a good chance that chiropractic can help.  Contact our office to find out if chiropractic care is right for you.  More information coming soon!

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In recent years, chiropractic treatment for back pain has gained significant popularity among the public.  This is largely because the amount of research available to support the effectiveness of chiropractic care on these symptoms has become much more available.  It is now a widely accepted fact that maintaining proper spinal motion will allow you to have healthier joints that function more effectively and therefore also cause you to feel less pain.  

Is chiropractic care safe? The research certainly says so! See how chiropractic care compares with other treatments commonly used for back and neck pain.  Taking an aspirin is actually significantly more "dangerous" than receiving a chiropractic adjustment! For more questions about chiropractic care and answers that you can trust, please contact our office at 386.872.7167 or email Dr. Fleming at nhwchiro@gmail.com!

References: 

Geortz, C.M., et. al.  (April 15, 2013). Adding chiropractic manipulative therapy to standard medical care for patients with acute low back pain: a pragmatic randomized comparative effectiveness study.  Spine: 38(8): 627-34. 

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Dr. Alesha Fleming

Natural Health and Wellness Chiropractic, LLC

Daytona Beach, FL

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Dr. Fleming is a family chiropractor in Daytona Beach, Florida.  She is passionate about preventative health care and nutrition and enjoys empowering her patients to improve their health and fitness, one day at a time!

Asthma and Chiropractic

I have composed a series of articles discussing how chiropractic care can be incorporated in the treatment plan for a variety of different conditions.  Chiropractic adjustments, in addition to making you feel good due to freeing up irritation to the nervous system, can be an effective tool to assist in the management many different conditions.  Since your nervous system is involved in nearly every function in your body, having a healthy nervous system is essential to maintaining good health! I hope you enjoy this series! Please let me know if you would like to see other conditions discussed in the future!

Asthma is a respiratory condition that causes the airways to become irritated and constricted.   The condition usually starts in childhood and is considered a chronic or long-term illness.  Symptoms include couching, wheezing sounds when breathing, chest discomfort and shortness of breath.  Asthma symptoms are often associated with allergies or may become apparent after exercise or exertion.  During these times, the patient may experience an asthma attack, which is noted by periods of intense couching, chest pain and difficulty breathing.  Asthma is a condition that should not be taken lightly, as in severe cases or severe asthma attacks, it can be fatal.  So lets talk about what all of this has to do with chiropractic. 

Though there are management options available, there is currently no cure for asthma.  Traditionally, symptoms are managed with prescription medications.  However, research is now becoming available that shows an improvement in the symptoms and quality of life of asthma patients with chiropractic management.  Chiropractic care can improve lung function by affecting the spinal nerves that feed the lungs, and also by increasing lung capacity with by improving joint motion (1,2).  If you or someone you love is suffering from asthma, ask your chiropractor if chiropractic care can help.  For more information on the benefits of chiropractic, visit the home page to download your free copy of Dr. Fleming's ebook!

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Sources

1.  Alcantara, J., Alcantara, J., Alcantara, J. The chiropractic care of patients with asthma: a systematic review of the literature to inform clinical practice.  Clinical Chiropractic (2012) 15, 23-30.  

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2.  Gibbs, A.  Chiropractic co-management of medically treated asthma.  Clinical Chiropractic (2005) 8, 140-144.  

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Dr. Alesha Fleming

Natural Health and Wellness Chiropractic, LLC

Daytona Beach, FL

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Dr. Fleming is a family chiropractor in Daytona Beach, Florida.  She is passionate about preventative health care and nutrition and enjoys empowering her patients to improve their health and fitness, one day at a time!

Say NO to Stress!

I have composed a series of articles discussing how chiropractic care can be incorporated in the treatment plan for a variety of different conditions.  Chiropractic adjustments, in addition to making you feel good due to freeing up irritation to the nervous system, can be an effective tool to assist in the management many different conditions.  Since your nervous system is involved in nearly every function in your body, having a healthy nervous system is essential to maintaining good health! I hope you enjoy this series! Please let me know if you would like to see other conditions discussed in the future!

 Stress is a very complex concept that can be difficult to explain.  At the most basic level, it can be grouped into two different categories: mental/emotional stress and physical stress.  Mental stress is what most of us think of when we hear the word "stress".  This is also the way it is typically used in conversation - "I'm so stressed right now!" or "I can't take all of this stress".  What we don't think about as much is physical stress.  The stress we put on our bodies every day through poor posture, poor body mechanics and other physical bad habits.  In addition, we don't think about how mental stress affects our bodies physically as well.  Mental stress - especially when it persists for a long period of time - can have a number of damaging effects on our bodies - for more details on how and why this is the case, check out Dr. Fleming's ebook, available for free download on the home page.  Chiropractic care can not only help to reduce the pain associated with physical stress on your joints, but it can influence your nervous system and affect you emotionally as well.  

Your parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest) is made up of nerves at the very top and the very base of your spine.  Your sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) is made up of the nerves in the middle part of your spine.  Adjusting the spine in these areas can affect these parts of the nervous system, affecting blood pressure, heart rate and other areas of the body that respond to physical and emotional stress.  For more information on stress and how and why chiropractic works, check out Chapters 2 and 5 of Dr. Fleming's ebook.  Until then, here are some useful tips to help you decrease emotional stress.  

Step 1: Time Management.  The easiest way to manage stress is to avoid stressful situations in the first place.  If you find yourself running late often, try getting up and leaving the house just five minutes earlier than you normally do.  If you experience daily stress when leaving for work due to time constraints, these extra five minutes may save you a lot of stress in the long run!

Step 2:  Take a few deep breaths, counting 5 seconds for each inhale and each exhale.  Deep breathing has been shown to relax the mind and the nervous system, helping you relax and refocus your energy on more positive thoughts.  

Step 3:  Exercise.  Physical activity can be a great way to relieve stress and gain a burst of energy whenever you need it.  Exercise has a number of different health benefits and also causes your body to release endorphins, hormones that make you feel good!  Yoga is a great option that combines physical activity and meditation, both of which are excellent tools to combat stress.

Try some of these tips the next time you are feeling stressed.  If your stress persists, contact a chiropractor to see if chiropractic care might help.  For more tips like these, check out our eBook, available to download for free on the home page at www.nhwchiro.com!

Dr. Alesha Fleming

Herzing University, Professor of Anatomy

Natural Health and Wellness Chiropractic, Chiropractic Physician

Daytona Beach, Florida

Dr. Fleming is a family chiropractor in Daytona Beach, Florida.  She is passionate about preventative health care and nutrition and enjoys empowering her patients to improve their health and fitness, one day at a time!

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