Monday, November 1, 2010

Headaches , Relaxation Response and the Neck

Many people are suffering from headaches that are caused by problems in the spine. Tight muscles in the neck can cause referred pain into
the head. Tight neck muscles can put pressure on the blood supply to the head as well. The body has to increase the blood pressure to allow enough blood supply to pass through the tight neck and into the delicate structures inside the head.

That chronic increase in blood pressure will damage the small blood vessels throughout the body. Patients are prescribed anti-hypertensive medications to force the blood pressure back down. These medicines have side effects such as Lightheaded and or dizziness, Headaches, Vomiting and or nauseated feeling, Anxiety, Fluctuation in weight-either up or down, Rash on the skin,
Lethargic - fatigue, weak, sleepy and or drowsyness, Constipation, Diarrhea,
Racing heart, Pain and or discomfort in the chest, and Flu symptoms.

Besides putting pressure on the blood vessels, tight muscle in the neck can irritate the major parasympathetic nerve of the body. This nerve is called the Vagus nerve and is responsible for the relaxation response. Extensive research has been done on the Relaxation Response and it is known to offer following benefits - Lowers stress hormones, Increases arousal from the drowsy state,
Lowers blood pressure, Helps in relieving pain, Increases motivation and productivity, Improves decision making, and Helps in curing sleep disorders.

When the nerve for the relaxation response is compromised the person can become Sympathetic Dominant. Symptoms include inability to relax, mind racing - fretting, inability so sleep well, poor digestion, chronic fatigue, lowered immune system, and increeased pain. The heart will beat faster and the blood pressure will increase.

In modern society, the more we can contain the sympathetic reaction and induce the relaxation response the better our health will be. With my treatments, I help people manage their health by bringing balance to their nervous system.

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