Treating Headaches & Migraines

Do you suffer from tension headaches or migraines? Whether it’s frequent or occasional, dull or throbbing, these are not something to put up with. One of the common causes of headaches is muscle contractions in your neck or head region. However, there’s a natural and drug-free solution for this type of discomfort.

Three Common Types of Headaches

There are several types of headaches. Three of the most common forms are tension, migraine, and cervicogenic headaches. A tension headache generally manifests as a band-like strain around your head. In comparison, pain from migraine headaches is on one side of the head. This type of headache often occurs with nausea and light or sound sensitivity. The neck is the source of discomfort in cervicogenic headaches. But the pain associated with this is perceived in one or many areas of the face or head.

It’s not always clear what causes headaches. But certain foods, stress, and genetics are some of the most common triggers. Experts claim that about 95 percent of all cases are primary headaches. These include tension or migraine headaches. Here, the headache itself is the chief concern. The remaining five percent are warning signs of an underlying health problem.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help

The role of chiropractic medicine in easing headaches is pretty simple. The leading cause of primary headaches is throbbing blood vessels. When your soft tissues or structural supports are out of alignment, they can affect the way your nerves and blood vessels function.

Your chiropractor will apply chiropractic adjustments to resolve these misalignments. This is the fundamental approach used in chiropractic medicine. It works by stretching and adjusting the affected tissues in your body.

The Role of Spinal Manipulation

One of the primary interventions used by chiropractors is spinal manipulation. Studies found that it could be an effective treatment for headaches originating in the neck. Their findings suggest that chiropractic techniques can improve the treatment outcomes for tension, migraine, and cervicogenic headaches.

To treat your headaches, your chiropractor will focus on trigger points within your head, neck, shoulder, and back. They will spend most of their time working on your cervical spine. The targeted approach aims to soothe your tightened muscles and compressed nerves. Their techniques will improve the blood flow to your soft tissues, easing the throbbing sensations.

Besides manual therapy, your chiropractor will also likely use complementary therapies. These include massage and other modalities, such as acupuncture, ultrasound therapy, or electrical stimulation. They all help reduce the pressure on your nerves and blood cells. As a result, you can benefit from less frequent and less intense bouts of headaches.

Equally important is your commitment to healthier lifestyle habits. Your chiropractor will recommend how you can improve your diet and nutrition. They will also provide ideas to develop healthy sleeping patterns and fitness routines. These shifts in your everyday life will be beneficial in getting rid of the common triggers.

Learn more about chiropractic care for treating headaches & migraines, contact Comprehensive Chiropractic Center in Sunrise, FL at (954) 807-2200.