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Can a Chiropractor Help To Relieve a Headache?

Along with back pain, headaches are one of the most common global health problems. Indeed, you’ve probably had your fair share of them! And reached for the bottle of painkillers…

But – have you considered other options? Or perhaps wondered ‘Can I see a chiropractor for headaches?’

Can a chiropractor help to relieve a headache?

Well, yes we can.

In fact, chiropractic care is particularly effective for certain types of headaches, notably those originating from spinal dysfunction in your neck i.e. cervicogenic headaches.

However, we can also help with migraine prevention, and with headaches arising from tension, muscle spasms, or even an inability to relax.

It this post, we discuss these aspects of chiropractic care for headaches. How we can help, and why headache sufferers often find chiropractic care for their headaches so often helps.

Different Types of Headaches

Not all headaches are created equal. They vary a lot in cause and severity. Some are more common than others – cervicogenic headaches, tension headaches, and migraines fall into this category.

Some affect one gender more or arise from underlying musculoskeletal dysfunction in your skull, such as TMJ disorder.

And some, like cluster headaches, come and go for no apparent reason.

So, what are the common types of headaches we see in our clinic?

Cervicogenic Headaches

These headaches are associated with problems in your neck, notably misalignments or tension in your cervical spine.

Although often mistaken for regular headaches, the dull aching pain of a cervicogenic headache starts in your neck and radiates to your head, usually on one side. It can affect your temple, forehead or the area behind an eye depending on which cervical spinal nerves are affected.

Other symptoms unique to cervicogenic headaches include a stiff neck and restricted neck movement. If you do try to move your neck, the pain intensifies.

It can also increase if you are sitting/standing still for long periods and placing stress on the dysfunctional areas of your neck.

Tension Headaches

Tension headaches are very common headaches because they’re usually brought on by stress, poor posture, or muscle strain.

If you have a tension headache, you’ll typically feel a dull, tight band of pain around your forehead or the back of your head.

Migraines

Migraine triggers vary between individuals but common ones include stress, certain foods, hormonal changes, and auditory stimulation. They are also more common in females due to the hormonal triggers.

Migraines have some unique symptoms compared to other headaches including distinct phases, light sensitivity, visual disturbances, nausea, and so on.

The pain is often intense and throbbing, usually on one side of the head.

Cluster Headaches

We don’t know why people, and males more so than females, get cluster headaches. They happen in ‘clusters’ or cyclical patterns, hence the name. You may for example get them intensely for several days/weeks and then not get them again for months, or even years.

On a pain scale, cluster headaches can outrank even severe migraines. The pain is intense and stabbing (vs the throbbing pain of a migraine), often focused around one eye.

You may also have tearing, red eyes, and nasal congestion.

Headaches Associated with Jaw Problems

Jaw misalignments, tension in your jaw, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction can also lead to headaches as these conditions all create pain in the nerves and tissues around your head.

The pain typically radiates out from the triggering source to your neck or temples.

What Types of Headaches Can a Chiropractor Help With?

Chiropractors can help with different types of headaches, but we are particularly effective for cervicogenic headaches (headaches arising from the neck) because of their origins.

We can also help relieve underlying causes of tension headaches as these are often linked to stress or muscular strain.

And, some migraine sufferers find they benefit from chiropractic adjustments and supportive therapies that help reduce triggers and improve their overall nervous system function.

Why Seeing a Chiropractor to Relieve a Headache Makes Sense

Different types of headaches present different challenges in terms of treatment and pain management.

However, headaches related to spinal alignment, posture, and muscle tension can particularly benefit from chiropractic care because our training equips us to address these issues.

Most particularly, seeing a chiropractor for headaches with a musculoskeletal component, like cervicogenic headaches, can be transformative!

The Benefits of Seeing a Chiropractor for Headaches

Chiropractic care for headaches is a non-invasive way to identify and tackle the source of headache pain vs simply managing it as a symptom, often with painkillers. This can help reduce the frequency and severity of headaches, and reliance on pain medications!

We also like to help you understand why you might be getting these headaches, and offer proactive advice and education for tackling them head-on.

This may involve a combination of approaches depending on the type of headache, and your circumstances.

Manual Therapy

Spinal adjustments and mobilisations help correct spinal dysfunction or restrictions in your cervical (neck) spine that may be contributing to cervicogenic and tension-type headaches.

These techniques aim to improve spinal joint function and reduce nerve irritation for longer lasting relief.

Soft Tissue Therapy

Soft tissue techniques, like massage and myofascial release, are a good way to help ease muscle spasms, release tight or knotted neck and upper back muscles, and reduce the tension that contributes to headaches.

Electrical Stimulation, Acupuncture, Ultrasound

These therapies can help reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and manage pain. They are good supportive options alongside manual treatments if you suffer from migraines or persistent tension headaches.

Rehabilitation Exercises

Exercises to strengthen your neck and improve posture can reduce headache frequency and improve pain management. The exercises address basic issues like weak stabilising muscles and poor posture, both contributing to some types of headaches.

Lifestyle Changes and Patient Education

Lifestyle choices can contribute to or aggravate headaches! Incorrect posture… sedentary lifestyle… bad ergonomics… poor dietary choices and dehydration…

So, as holistic health practitioners, we don’t ‘just’ treat your pain.

We also want to help you understand and appreciate how ergonomic improvements, a balanced diet / adequate hydration, good posture, exercise, stress management, and adopting better daily habits overall can help reduce the frequency and severity of your headaches.

Conclusion: Can a Chiropractor Help To Relieve a Headache?

Chiropractic care is an increasingly accepted and effective way to help relieve certain types of musculoskeletal associated headaches.

It can also address some of the underlying issues contributing to other types of headaches, like tension headaches and migraines. So, the next time you find yourself reaching for painkillers to deal with headache pain, perhaps consider treating yourself to some chiropractic care instead.

Ellie Pennycook

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