A migraine headache can completely derail a person’s plans, causing excruciating pain and even nausea for hours and even days. Nearly 25 million people in the United States report suffering them, yet the conventional reliance on painkillers to alleviate these nightmarish headaches usually does little to address the root cause of the problem. Fortunately, there are steps people can take to reduce the incidence and length of migraine attacks. Frisco chiropractor, Dr. Taylor provides patients pain relief tips and chiropractic treatments for migraines, which in turn can help alleviate other painful symptoms such as back pain and neck pain.

Chiropractic Help for Migraine Headaches

Chiropractic treatment for migraine headaches has proved to be extremely helpful for many people. These headaches can be exacerbated by misalignment in the vertebrae of the neck, which can pinch nerves and interfere with the connection between the brain and the heart. Often, a precise course of spinal correction treatments can un-pinch these nerves and help the blood vessels in the brain function normally again, which can reduce the chances of migraine headaches occurring in the first place.

We also counsel patients to avoid migraine triggers like certain foods and food additives, stress and sleep deprivation. For example, tyramine, a notorious migraine trigger, occurs in certain aged cheeses, meats, red wine and other alcoholic beverages. Foods and drinks containing caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate, soft drinks and some medications), cultured dairy products (yogurt, butter milk, and sour cream), canned soup and nuts can also be triggers for some people. Even normally healthy fruits such as pineapples, raspberries, plums, papaya, citrus fruits, bananas, dried figs, dates and raisins may be culprits. Overly-processed foods full of additives should also be avoided.

People prone to migraine headaches should keep a log of their activities and foods consumed before episodes, and then avoid those things. Then call us for a spinal alignment check up. Most importantly, we just want to let headache sufferers out there know that there are ways to stop suffering. We are here to help.

What treatments have helped you the most in avoiding or alleviating headaches?

Frisco chiropractor, Dr. Mark Taylor, wants you and your family to stay healthy and safe this holiday season. At Taylor Family Chiropractic, we assist those in the Frisco and Plano, Texas area and our goal is to keep your injuries to a minimum as you gear up for the holidays. Injuries related to the holidays include back pain and neck pain from a car accident on wet or icy roads and broken bones or sprains from falling when hanging holiday decorations.

Frisco Chiropractic Treatment Helps with Auto Accident Injuries

At any time of year, an automobile accident can lead to back and neck pain as well as other injuries. The risk for accidents increases during the holidays, as more people are driving and some people may be driving while intoxicated. Exercise more care when driving during the holidays than you usually do. If you are heading to a party where alcohol will be served, choose a designated driver before you leave for the party. Only drive when you are clear-headed and well-rested.

Avoid Back Pain and Muscle Strains When Decorating for the Holidays

Hanging lights and other decorations puts you at risk for injury and a visit to the chiropractor, especially if you do not exercise caution. A nasty fall, whether indoors or out, can result in back pain or a few broken bones. Do not climb on furniture to decorate your Christmas tree or hang up stockings. Use a ladder or stepstool designed for the purpose. Avoid climbing on the highest rungs of the ladder.

If you are hanging lights on your roof or on another outdoor area, have someone act as a spotter. Do not climb on the roof or a ladder if it is very icy out. You don't want to slip. Avoid electrical shocks by inspecting the string of lights before you head outside. Do not use lights that have frayed wiring or are otherwise worn out.

What do you do to be safe during the holiday season?

The Three Most Common Work Injuries

Work shouldn't be dangerous, but too often it is. It is easy to see how construction workers and people who work with heavy equipment could be put in harm's way, but even office workers can be injured by falling on a slippery floor or from repetitive movements like typing on a computer.

Most Common Work Injuries

Most work-related injuries fall into three categories: desk-related injuries, repetitive motion injuries and accidental injuries related to machinery or high-risk occupations. Desk-related injuries generally stem from sitting long periods of time at poorly-designed furniture. Such injuries lead to chronic back pain and even arm and shoulder pain. Job stress only exacerbates the injury.

Repetitive motion injuries come from the body performing the same task over and over again. The most commonly discussed type of injury is the arm pain associated with carpal tunnel syndrome, but factory workers can also be susceptible to repetitive motion injuries.

Accidental injuries include such things as a restaurant worker falling on a wet kitchen floor, a construction worker being hurt by heavy equipment and warehouse workers suffering back pain from lifting heavy boxes.

Treating Work Injuries in Our Frisco Family Chiropractic Clinic

Our chiropractor, Dr. Taylor can treat all of these types of work-related injuries by using a combination of chiropractic techniques like spinal decompression therapy and massage, life-style counseling and physical therapy. You don't have to suffer with back pain, neck pain or headaches. Our chiropractic clinic can help you manage your pain without prescription drugs.

At Taylor Family Chiropractic, we offer a wide range of pain management and wellness services, including chiropractic care, physical therapy and nutrition counseling. Have you suffered a work injury in the Frisco area recently? Have you been able to manage your pain using either a medical or a holistic approach?

What is a Herniated Disc?

A herniated disc, often referred to as a slipped disc or ruptured disc, refers to a spinal condition whereby a fragment of the disc is pushed out into the spinal cord through a rupture or tear. Because the spinal canal has limited space, a displaced disc fragment presses on spinal nerves, often producing neck pain, back pain and sometimes headaches. Sciatica pain, which is pain and numbness starting at the lower back and radiating down the buttock and leg, is a common symptom of a ruptured disc. Proper nutrition and a healthy weight can minimize the risk of developing a ruptured disc.

Often times, the cause of a ruptured disk is simple wear and tear from the aging process, which is called disc degeneration. With age, your spinal disc loses some of their water content, making them more prone to rupturing and tearing even with minor twists. Other times, using your back muscles rather than your legs to lift heavy objects leads to the condition.

Taylor Family Chiropractic Care

Most people who have a slipped disc don't need surgery. Instead, non-invasive treatments from Dr. Mark Taylor, our Frisco chiropractor, can relieve the neck pain and back pain, which often occur as a result of a ruptured disc. First, Dr. Taylor will take a careful medical history, including a description of your painful areas. Then, he'll conduct orthopedic and neurological testing as part of standard care. X-rays of your lower back will be taken and, if necessary, you may need to get an MRI or other imaging study.

Even though every patient receives individualized treatment, the underlying process of our Frisco center is the same. Non-surgical spinal decompression, gentle alignments and low-force adjustments made by our chiropractor balance your body's structure to promote internal healing of your ruptured disc.

Depending on your source of pain and injury location, you may need several decompression or adjustment treatments. Throughout your care at our clinic for your disc condition, we'll use a variety of neurological and chiropractic tests as a comparison to the initial finding of your disc condition to assess your improvements.

Did you know that excess weight makes the spine and discs more susceptible to herniation?