Chiropractic Care for Headaches: Relief is Just a Visit Away

Understanding Headaches and Chiropractic Care

Headaches, including Migraines, are serious and affect many people in our community. The American Chiropractic Association estimates that 9 out of 10 people will get a headache. When you factor in the population of the North Phoenix and Moon Valley area, that’s an incredible number of people experiencing headaches. Frequent headaches can adversely impact your quality of life. Even a mild headache can interfere with work and make it difficult to focus on your family. If you have had a bad headache, you know how debilitating they can be. However, many people do not know that chiropractic care can alleviate the symptoms of many types of headaches and minimize your downtime.

Common Types of Headaches We Treat with Chiropractic Care

• Tension Headaches: Often caused by stress, poor posture, and muscle tension, tension headaches are the most common type. They can feel like a tight band around your head and are often linked to neck and upper back pain (source).
• Cervicogenic Headaches: A cervicogenic headache is a type of secondary headache that originates from issues in the cervical spine (the neck region) and its related structures. Unlike primary headaches such as migraines or tension headaches, cervicogenic headaches are caused by underlying neck problems. These may include disorders of the cervical vertebrae, intervertebral discs, muscles, or nerves (source).
• Migraine Headaches: These intense headaches are often accompanied by nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and can last for hours or even days. Migraines can be triggered by various factors including hormonal changes, certain foods, and stress (source).
• Cluster Headaches: These are less common but extremely painful, characterized by a burning sensation around one eye. Cluster headaches occur in cycles and can be linked to nerve issues in the spine.

How Chiropractic Care Helps with Headaches

Chiropractic care offers a natural, non-invasive solution for headache relief. Here is how our treatments can help:

1. Spinal Adjustments: Misalignments in the cervical spine can contribute to headaches by causing tension, joint dysfunction, and nerve irritation. Our gentle Activator Method chiropractic adjustments realign the spine, reducing nerve pressure and improving overall function.
2. Posture Correction: Poor posture, especially from prolonged sitting or computer use, can strain the neck and back muscles, leading to headaches. Beyond realigning these stressed-out areas of your spine, we provide guidance on improving posture to prevent tension and cervicogenic headaches.
3. Muscle Relaxation Techniques: Tight muscles in the neck and shoulders can trigger headaches. Our treatments include techniques to relax and stretch these muscles, alleviating tension.
4. Lifestyle and Nutritional Advice: Certain foods and lifestyle factors can trigger headaches. We offer personalized advice on diet and lifestyle changes to help prevent headache occurrences.

When Should I See a Chiropractor for Headaches?

It is important to take your headache seriously, and it may be time to consult with a chiropractor:

• If you often take a pain reliever for your headache and they keep returning.
• If the headache pattern changes.
• If the headache worsens.
• If you have neck pain or tension and a headache.