Chiropractic Care for Headaches

Headaches can be unpredictable and debilitating. Chiropractic care for headaches can help reduce pain and alleviate symptoms.

How A Chiropractor Can Help with Headaches

If you suffer from headaches, you're not alone. They're one of the most common health complaints. And while there might be no permanent cure for them, there are things that can help ease the pain.

One of those things is chiropractic care.

Chiropractors work with bones, muscles, and nerves. They use gentle adjustments to relieve pressure on those areas.

Chiropractic care can also help improve your overall health. That's because when your body is in alignment, it functions better.

Types of Headaches

There are several different types of headaches. These include:

Episodic vs Chronic

Headaches fall into one of two main categories: episodic and chronic. Within these categories are several subcategories, including tension, cervicogenic, and sinus.

Episodic headaches are occasional and usually last for a few hours or days. Chronic headaches, on the other hand, can occur frequently and last for weeks, months, or even years.

The main difference between episodic and chronic headaches is the frequency and duration of the headaches. Episodic headaches are less frequent and last for a shorter period than chronic headaches. Chronic headaches, on the other hand, are more frequent and can last for a longer period.

Stress or tension can cause episodic headaches. Chronic headaches, on the other hand, may be caused by a variety of factors, including tension, stress, migraines, or cluster headaches. Treatment for episodic headaches is typically over-the-counter medication, while treatment for chronic headaches may require prescription medication.

Tension Headaches

A tension headache is a type of headache caused by tightness or tension in the head and neck muscles. This type of headache is often described as a feeling of pressure or tightness in the head and can be accompanied by muscle tenderness, fatigue, and sometimes depression. Tension headaches are the most common type of headache, and they can occur at any age. However, they are most common in adults between the ages of 30 and 50. Tension headaches can be either episodic or chronic.

Cervicogenic Headaches

A cervicogenic headache is a type of headache that originates from the neck. The pain is often described as a dull, throbbing sensation that radiates from the base of the skull to the temples or behind the eyes. The pain may also radiate down the neck and shoulders.

Cervicogenic headaches are often caused by dysfunction in the joints or muscles of the neck. The pain is usually worse with certain neck movements or when pressure is applied to the neck. Treatment for a cervicogenic headache may include physical therapy, chiropractic care, and massage therapy.

Cervicogenic headaches can be difficult to diagnose because they share many symptoms with other types of headaches, such as migraines and tension headaches.

A sinus headache occurs when the sinuses become inflamed, and pressure builds up in the head. This can be due to many factors, such as allergies, a cold, or even a sinus infection. Sinus headache symptoms are very similar to a regular headache and include pain in the forehead, temples, or behind the eyes.

For sinus headaches, a few different types of treatments can be effective. If you have a sinus infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. However, if your headaches are due to allergies or other non-infectious causes, you may need to use over-the-counter or prescription medications.

Medications used to treat sinus headaches include:

• Nasal corticosteroids
• Antihistamines
• Decongestants

Chiropractic treatments can be effective in easing the pain of sinus headaches. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to treat chronic sinusitis or another condition that is causing sinus headaches. However, this is typically done as a last resort.

How Can Chiropractic Care Help Those with Headaches?

Chiropractic care is an effective and natural treatment for headaches. By realigning the spine and correcting misalignments, chiropractors can help relieve pressure on the nerves and blood vessels in the head, neck, and shoulders. This can help to reduce or eliminate headaches.

In addition, chiropractic care can help to improve posture and alleviate muscle tension, which can also contribute to headaches. If you suffer from headaches, be sure to consult with a chiropractor to see if this form of treatment may be right for you.

Chiropractic Care Can Prevent Headaches

Yes, chiropractic care can prevent headaches. By keeping the spine in alignment and relieving pressure on the nerves, chiropractic treatments can help keep headaches at bay. If you suffer from frequent or chronic headaches, consider seeking chiropractic care to help prevent them.

Conclusion

One of the most common questions people with headaches ask is whether chiropractic care is safe for headache management.

It is safe and effective. Chiropractic care is an effective treatment for all types of headaches, including tension headaches, migraine attack, and cluster headaches.

Chiropractic care is a drug-free and non-invasive treatment option for headaches that works by correcting any misalignments in the spine. When the spine is properly aligned, it takes the pressure off the nerves and allows the body to heal itself. Research shows that chiropractic therapy is an effective headache treatment because it reduces both the frequency and intensity of headaches.

Dr. Eric Neumann D.C.

Dr. Eric Neumann grew up in Alberta, Canada where he majored in Chemistry at the University of Calgary. During his time at University, he obtained licensure as a Massage Therapist. It was clear that hands-on healing would be his calling. After suffering multiple sport-related injuries he became interested in Chiropractic. Dr. Neumann graduated from Western States Chiropractic College in 2009. He has since specialized in the treatment and management of acute spinal injuries.