According to data gathered by Flurry Analytics, the average US consumer is spending five hours per day on their mobile devices. That’s five hours per day hunched over a screen, increasing the load that your neck must support. This strain, over time, can lead to significant pain in your neck and a long list of possible medical complications. With good posture, the human neck is designed to support the weight of your head which, on average, weighs between 10 and 12 pounds. Studies show that looking at our phones can shift the head forward and down, in turn increasing the amount of weight that the neck must support up to 60 pounds or more. It is critical to realize the potential impact that this habitual increase of pressure on our necks can have so we can make change for the better. 

Here are some tips to reduce and prevent the pain caused by increased time spent looking at mobile devices. 

Retrain yourself.
We are so used to looking down at our devices. Start training yourself to hold your device at eye level to reduce the potential health complications of using mobile devices. 

Stretch.
Posture correcting stretches will prove tremendously effective at reducing the pain caused by misalignment. Here is a link to a video that shows an example of one such stretch. 

Take a break.
Other behaviors such as reading don’t seem to have as much of an effect on the spine. Why? The answer is simple; when reading, it is common to look and move around frequently. Taking breaks and being mindful of how long you have been looking down will help reduce the chances of long-term problems. 

Exercise.
Like stretching, it is important to do exercises that will help improve posture. Especially important are exercises that improve core and shoulder strength. This article provides examples of posture-improving exercises that you can do in the comfort of your own home. 

These tips should help you develop strategies to limit the pain and long-term complications caused by mobile device usage. In addition to these tips, visit us at Pure Life Chiropractic, located in downtown Eugene! We can help by crafting personal care plans to improve posture and return your body to its natural alignment. Call to schedule your appointment today: 541-343-5633.

If you suffer from chronic—or even periodic—headaches and you're tired of popping pills for relief, read on for how you can treat your pain naturally.

Before we can begin talking about treatment, it's important to understand there are different types of headaches and each responds to a variety of treatments.

1. Tension
2. Cluster
3. Sinus
4. Rebound
5. Migraine

The most common and least severe of headaches are tension headaches. Roughly 80% of the U.S. population suffers from tension headaches with women being the more frequent sufferer.

To treat recurring tension headaches without medication, consider making changes to your sleep habits, diet, or mood. Are you getting enough sleep? Are you eating enough and getting proper nutrition? How is your mood on a day-to-day basis? If tension headaches continue, consider consulting a chiropractor. It could be that your headaches are related to spinal misalignment or increased muscle tension.

The second type of headaches is cluster headaches. These can be quite painful and tend to strike on a regular basis for weeks or months at a time. You can recognize cluster headaches also with their typical one-sided pain; either on the left or right side of your head. While the cause of cluster headaches is still largely up for debate, we know that cluster headaches involve the trigeminal nerve in your face. 

When headaches stem from nerve pain, chiropractic care can be a fantastic option for treatment. Trigeminal nerve pain can be a result of misalignment in the spine's cervical region; where the nerve connects.  A chiropractic adjustment can properly align that region thereby relieving future cluster headaches.

Sinus headaches typically result from inflamed sinuses and are generally accompanied by a fever, runny nose, or swelling in the face. Sinus headaches often resolve by themselves when the inflammation of the sinuses has been reduced. If you're suffering from sinus headaches, the most popular natural remedies include drinking lots of fluids, using a dehumidifier, or inhaling saltwater nasal spray.

The next type of headaches are what we call rebound headaches. These are often a result of overusing painkillers. Despite being commonly linked with overuse of Motrin, Tylenol, and/or Advil, prescription drugs have also been known to cause such headaches if overused. Monitor your use of painkillers to avoid this withdrawal symptom.

​The final type of headaches is migraines. Often confused with tension headaches, migraines are in fact different from all other types of headaches. Those who suffer from migraines can attest to the pain intensity, vomiting, vision loss or aural effects, and extreme sensitivity to light.

But, when we look at what causes migraines, their origin is similar to tension headaches. Stress, sleep habits, diet, and muscular tension in the neck have all been known to impact ones’ likelihood of migraines. To prevent future migraines, consider making in these trigger areas and if you don't see improvements, consider consulting a doctor. Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to relieve muscle tension in the neck and is a good preventative measure.

If you're looking for a natural remedy, headaches and chiropractic care go hand-in-hand. While chiropractic care is not necessarily an option for treating all types of headaches, it is a great option for preventing future occurrences. Chiropractic patients who are seen for regular adjustments are better able to maintain proper spinal health and slow the buildup of muscle tension.

If you're suffering from headaches, please give us a call  at 541-343-5633 so we can help. Our doctors can work with you to relieve muscle tension and improve your pain.