Chiropractic for Headaches is Safe & Effective

Chiropractic for Headaches is Safe and Effective

Millions of Americans suffer from headaches annually; in fact, according to the Cleveland Clinic, two out of three US adults get tension headaches at least once a year, and over 90% of the population will get a tension headache at some point in their lifetime.

Tension-type headaches are the most common, and although they aren’t aligned with serious illness, it’s important to seek medical care if you get headaches regularly to ensure their cause isn’t an indicator of something more problematic. Cervicogenic headaches are also common and can be incredibly inconvenient and quite painful if not properly treated.

Chiropractors offer safe and effective headache solutions for those with tension and cervicogenic headaches, as both can be triggered by imbalances within the musculoskeletal system.

This post discusses:

What causes tension headaches and cervicogenic headaches
Headache symptoms and triggers
What to do when you get a headache
Chiropractic to help relieve headaches
And more

If you’d like to reduce headache frequency and severity, chiropractic care may be the only option you need. Read on to learn more about it.

Tension Headaches vs. Cervicogenic Headaches

Both tension and cervicogenic headaches can affect your daily routine and create chaos in your schedule. Getting properly diagnosed by your local headache chiropractor will help you find an effective treatment strategy to heal the injury, not cover up the discomfort.

Tension Headaches

Tension headaches may occur when the neck and scalp muscles contract or tense up and are not the result of another medical condition. They usually produce pain on both sides of the head with mild to moderate intensity.

Other tension headache symptoms include:

The headache comes on slowly Pain can feel like a tight band around the head
Pain can show up in the back of the head or neck
The pain never gets too intense and is generally dull

Tension headaches last 30 minutes to several days, although that’s not the norm, and typically last a few hours.

Cervicogenic Headaches

Cervicogenic headaches originate in the back of the neck or head due to structural impairment in the neck’s soft tissues or joints, such as nerve, muscle, or spinal disc dysfunction.

Symptoms of cervicogenic headaches include:

Pain in the head and neck area ranging from dull to severe
Loss of range of motion in the neck and neck stiffness
Radiating pain from the back of the head into the front of the scalp, forehead, eye, or templeImpaired vision
Shoulder, arm, and back pain

It’s challenging to assume how long the average cervicogenic headache will last because the ache may remain until the underlying cause is managed correctly, meaning hours, days, weeks, or longer.

Both kinds of headaches are often due to postural stress that can arise from poor workstation setup and ergonomics, poor lifting techniques, improper habitual movement patterns, and emotional stress.

Other common headache triggers and conditions that may cause headaches include:

Lack of sleep or change in sleep patterns
Neck injuries such as inflammation, sprains, whiplash, etc.
Anxiety Environmental factors
Arthritis
Degenerative disc disease

How to Relieve a Headache Now

Headaches can be reduced with chiropractic care; however, below are tips to help relieve your headache pain now.

Tip 1: Drink water- you should do this regularly, but water can also help reduce headaches as you’re in the midst of one

Tip 2: Rest and relax- whether you take a nap or lay down in a dark, quiet spot to close your eyes for a bit, rest is important to a body that’s in pain

Tip 3: Apply a cold compress- put a cold cloth or ice pack on your head or neck to reduce inflammation in the area that often contributes to headache pain

Tip 4: Reduce stress- remove yourself from stressful situations and practice soothing relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga

Tip 5: Stretch and massage- movement is essential to your body’s health, so try some neck rolls and stretches to the cervical spine, and gently massage the temples, neck, and back to relieve pressure

These tips can help decrease headache pain now, but for longer-lasting results, it’s best to partner with a knowledgeable chiropractor to heal the condition rather than mask the pain.

Chiropractic Solutions to Treat Headaches

Chiropractic services are an excellent resource for effective headache treatment. They are safe, non-invasive, and never rely on pain-masking medication that can cause further harm to the body if misused and doesn’t help cure the source of the problem.

Common chiropractic methods to reduce headache frequency and severity include:

Chiropractors provide in-clinic headache solutions and guidance on posture, movement patterns, stretches and exercise, lifestyle, and preventative care for ongoing success and good health.

Visit Our Tampa Chiropractic Clinic to Manage Your Headaches

Don’t let headaches stop you from your active lifestyle. Get the safe, reliable chiropractic care your body deserves, and learn how to proactively give your body support so you can maintain your good results.

Book your appointment today, and let’s get your headaches under control.