It’s that time of year. Students are going back to school and extra-curricular activities are starting up. Children and teens may head off to school with a new backpack and shoes, but they are bringing more than that home with them. A new study shows children come home with headaches more in the fall months than any other time of the year.
Researchers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital looked at 1300 emergency room visits between 2010 and 2014. They found that the numbers were quite steady except in the fall months when the number of children coming in for headaches jumped 31%.
The timing suggests that the stress of starting a new school year may cause the headaches. Often children have to make an adjustment to a new school or at least a new classroom, which causes a certain amount of anxiety. There are other possible reasons for headaches though, including allergies, dehydration, hormonal changes, lack of sleep, poor nutrition, excessive caffeine, or too much screen time.
Researchers recommend ensuring children and teens get balanced meals, plenty of fluid intake, and 10 to 11 hours of sleep each night for optimal health.
There are two main types of headaches. Tension headaches cause a generalized pain or squeezing feeling, giving the child general discomfort. Migraine headaches bring more severe, localized pain, as well as vomiting, nausea, and sensitivity to light or smells.
If headaches persist or they start to prevent your child from daily life, then it may be time to evaluate and find a treatment that is right for your family. Lake Pointe Chiropractic and Wellness Center specializes in treating chronic headaches with an approach that encourages wellness. While pain relievers often provide relief for short periods of time, a more holistic approach can uncover the source and ultimately improve long-term wellness.
Our program looks at your whole body health, including nutrition, sleep patterns, and other possible reasons for headaches. In addition to changes in these areas, chiropractic care is extremely effective at treating chronic headaches. Many of our clients also find that, when headaches are a result of stress and anxiety, massage therapy is a great tool for treating pain.
Our clients become our extended family, and we want to see your family achieving overall wellness. As you send your children off to school this fall, let us know if you start to notice more headache complaints than usual. Many of our services are covered by insurance, and we offer family rates so the whole family can benefit from our care.
For more information about headache care for you or your children, contact us at Lake Pointe Chiropractic and Wellness.
