Children’s Headaches Children’s’ Headaches and migraines are not uncommon and usually are the result of non-severe ailments like anxiety, allergies, sinus problems, or ear infections. However, whenever a kid gets a severe headache there is always a glimpse of worry in the back of their parent’s mind that it might be more serious. This worry often leads many parents to take their child to a doctor for a neurological assessment. The problem with this is that many doctors will likely perform a CT scan on the child to assess the issue even when it might not be necessary. This results in countless kids being exposed to harmful radiation that otherwise could have been avoided. In fact, pediatric patients with an ED visit for a headache were four times more likely to receive a scan than those who were treated in other settings. Although most headaches in children are nothing more than a simple ailment, it can be a sign of something more serious. If your child suffers from severe, continual headaches, rather than take them to a doctor and have a CT scan performed, consider taking a more natural approach first.
Natural Remedies for Children’s Headaches
There are many natural alternatives to relieving headaches that don’t require a CT scan. Rather than expose your child to harmful radiation, why not try a natural remedy first? This will also teach your kids that they can cure their headaches on their own which is a life skill we all should know. One treatment is to have your child lay in a cold, dark, and quiet room. Place a cool, moist rag over their forehead and eyes and have them breathe easily and deeply. Relaxing their body and mind is a great way to relieve headaches and any stress they might be having as a result of them. Since anxiety is one of the main causes of headaches in children, sometimes all they need is a moment to relax their minds and relieve their stress.
Another great technique to relieve headaches is to have the child focus on what causes the head aches in the first place. This can be done through either a headache journal where they write down when and how painful each headache is, or by having them describe it to you when they occur. This will help the child see patterns that form in their daily lives and what might be causing the headaches to occur. Once they understand what causes their headaches they can begin to introduce coping techniques when they are in headache-causing situations. This includes taking deep breathes, taking a step back from the situation, or doing a different, more relaxing activity all together. The act of thinking about what causes a headache and reinforcing a positive outlook on them (along with deep breathes) can help take their mind of the situation and relieve their pain.
Chiropractic Treatment for Children’s Headaches
Chiropractic Treatment for Children’s Headaches Chiropractic treatment is a safe alternative to treat children’s headaches. A child’s skeletal system is very elastic since it is still developing and usually only requires light pressure to make the necessary adjustments. At Windmill Health Center, we treat the source of the headache rather than cover it up with pain medications. Through highly specific adjustments, the chiropractor can provide almost immediate relief for children’s headaches in a safe and controlled environment. These adjustments improve spinal function and alleviate stress put on the system which in turn reduces headache pain. In addition to spinal adjustments, the chiropractor will also provide nutritional advice for the child and their parents, as well as recommend massage therapy to treat any lingering pains.
If your child suffers from chronic headaches, try a natural solution to treat the root cause of the pain. Undergoing extensive CT scans may lead to a heightened risk of cancer and is often unnecessary for a child. Through chiropractic treatment, a child’s headache can be relieved naturally without the need of a CT scan or pain medication, and can help ensure a safe and effective recovery.
About the Author:
Dr. Marc Browner is a Co-owner and practicing chiropractor at Windmill Health Center in Weston, Florida. A graduate of the University of Florida in 1991, he earned his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Life Chiropractic in 1995. In private practice since 1998, Dr. Browner is a member of the Florida Chiropractic Society, the Florida Chiropractic Association, and he attends continuing education seminars, classes, and workshops to remain abreast of the most current treatment methods and technological advances in the field.
