Chiropractic Treatment for Headaches
Frequent or not, if you struggle with headaches, you’re not alone. According to a recent study, one in six people in the United States experiences chronic headaches or migraines. Fortunately, help is at hand. Chiropractic care is an effective treatment for any type of head pain that originates in the neck.
Find out what chiropractic treatment for headaches includes here.
What Causes Headaches?
Headaches can be caused by underlying conditions, certain environmental factors, or lifestyle behaviors. However, in most cases, they’re triggered by muscle tension in the neck — usually after spending too long in front of a computer screen.
In general, the cause of headaches varies from person to person. However, some triggers are common, including:
- Stress
- Changes in hormone levels
- Fatigue
- Poor posture or misalignment of the spine
- Lack of sleep
- Hunger or dehydration
- Caffeine or medication withdrawal
- Processed foods and drinks
- Weather changes
Headaches can either be acute or chronic. Acute headaches come on suddenly like a blow to the head. Chronic headaches last for more than half the month — for at least three months.
What Are the 4 Types of Headaches?
There are many different types of headaches, but the four most common include:
- Tension headaches – Tension headaches typically arise from head and neck tension. Pain presents on both sides of the head, typically above the eyes or at the base of the skull. Tension headaches account for 85% of headache complaints.
- Migraines – Migraines are severe headaches that affect one side of the head, along with nausea and dizziness. Migraine attacks are debilitating and can last several hours or days.
- Cervicogenic headaches – These headaches occur on one side at the back of the head, accompanied by shoulder pain and stiffness. The pain is described as a steady, dull ache, though it can worsen over time.
- Cluster headaches – Rarer than other types, cluster headaches appear in patterns. They can last weeks or months, followed by a remission period. Cluster headaches typically occur in short bursts, but the pain is very severe on one side of the head.
How Can a Chiropractor Help with Headaches?
Many physicians prescribe painkillers for headaches, but routine use often leads to more frequent and severe migraines. A chiropractor, on the other hand, will evaluate, diagnose, and manage your headaches with chiropractic treatment.
Our Clearwater chiropractor, Dr. Jere, will use a series of effective treatments to target the underlying condition of your headaches. He’ll also study your medical history and perform a physical assessment to treat the type of headaches you suffer from specifically.
Dr. Jere has an 80-90% success rate in handling any type of headache. Some of the chiropractic treatments he may use include:
- Spinal manipulation – Chiropractic adjustments improve function and relieve stress on the affected joint. By improving these two things, your body will better manage pain caused by headaches and migraines.
- Nutritional counseling – Dr. Jere may recommend substituting proceeded foods with natural ingredients. He can also identify nutrient deficiencies and recommend the proper supplements.
- Lifestyle consulting – Dr. Jere offers advice on posture, ergonomics, and therapeutic exercises to relieve joint inflammation and aid headache relief.
Dr. Jere is proficient in many chiropractic and nutritional techniques and will choose the exact treatment or combination of treatments you need. By using natural pain relief methods and nutrition programs, he can address problems in other parts of the body too.
How to Prevent Headaches
Taking care of yourself and keeping your spine in proper alignment are the best ways to prevent headaches. However, Dr. Jere also recommends the following:
- Avoid headache triggers
- Reduce stress
- Limit your caffeine
- Limit your alcohol intake
- Don’t skip meals
- Avoid medication overuse
- Get enough sleep
- Exercise regularly
Contact Our Clearwater Chiropractor
Get natural relief from headaches with chiropractic care that addresses the exact source of your pain!
To learn more about how our Clearwater chiropractic office can help those suffering from headaches and migraines, call 727-447-4647 or contact us today!