Headaches

Nerve irritation and/or subluxation of the spine is the leading cause of headache pain for many sufferers.

Are you tired of taking medication for headache pain that does not go away? Many people have found a more permanent solution for their headache pain...natural chiropractic care.

There are millions of people who suffer from severe, recurring attacks of migraine and tension headaches. They spend millions of dollars each year on over-the-counter and prescription drugs in their search for permanent relief. For some, the medication works. Unfortunately for man, the relief obtained is temporary at best. A cycle of headaches and medication often occurs without any lasting relief found. If you think this describes your pain then there is good news for you in chiropractic.

For many people, the link to headache pain is nerve irritation. One study, conducted at the University of Maryland, found that there is a connection between muscle tension at the base of the neck and headaches. Muscle contractions interfere with the sensitive fibers at the base of the neck that lead to the brain and spinal cord. This muscle tension often plays a contributing factor to headache pain. A majority of migraine headache sufferers have misalignments of the spinal vertebrae in the neck that is placing pressure on the spinal nerves.
 
Our treatment of headache pain is two-fold:

This strategy works for many headache sufferers, not only in our office but also in several studies. One such study, conducted by the government of New Zealand found that the majority of people who suffered from spinal misalignments had their headaches relieved or their condition improved through chiropractic care. And in follow-up studies of the same patients it was found that many were still without recurring headache pain two years later.

Of course, not all headaches can be helped with chiropractic care. But, if you suffer from persistent migraine or tension headaches you owe it to yourself to come to our office for an exam and consultation. If we can help you we will tell you, and if we can't, we'll tell you that too and refer you to another health care professional that can help.

 

Frequently Asked Questions We Hear In Our Offices About Headaches:

Can a chiropractor really get rid of my headaches?
It will help to understand what causes most headaches. Your spine protects your nervous system which starts with the brain and becomes the spinal cord. When the vertebrae in your neck are unable to move properly, it irritates or puts pressure on the nerves in that area. That can cause headaches. To correct this problem (called a subluxation) a chiropractor gently adjusts the vertebrae. Since most headaches are caused by subluxations, they will soon disappear.

Why would I have spinal problems in my neck?
There are many reasons. They can originally occur during the birth process, and as your body grows and matures. Also, falls, sports activities, motor vehicle accidents, bad posture or simply the stresses of daily living can cause spinal problems. It is also very common for headache sufferers to experience neck pain and stiffness.

But my headaches are migraines?
Migraine headaches are usually severe and sharp, throbbing in nature, and generally affect one side of the head. Tension headaches tend to occur frequently, last a long time and are characterized by a dull, steady pain that feels like a band of pressure around the neck. But despite these differences they are closely related. Chiropractic care has been proven to be extremely effective in treating migraine and tension headaches as well as neck pain and stiffness.

What will the chiropractor do to treat my headaches?
Your first visit will include a consultation, examination and possibly an x-ray to help diagnose your problem. Once your condition is fully understood, your chiropractor will explain your test and x-ray results and outline a treatment plan that is tailored to your needs. Your chiropractor will use highly skilled, gentle manipulations to adjust the spine.

Once my headache stops, does the chiropractic care end?
Your body continues to heal after the pain has gone. Continuing with chiropractic adjustments helps to retrain your vertebrae to hold their healthy positions. Your nervous system will function more efficiently and your body will be better able to heal itself. In time, exercise, a healthy diet, and periodic visits to the chiropractor will help you stay healthy, pain free, and live life to the fullest.