Headaches

Everyone, at some point or another, has had a headache. A common course of treatment is to take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory, which can give you some relief for a few hours before the headache returns. Many times; this isn’t a solution – it’s a temporary stop-gap.

If your headache is persistent and does not respond well to medication, the underlying cause could be related to misalignment of the cervical spine. This abnormal curvature could have many different causes – a recent car accident, a slip-and-fall, whiplash, stress, poor posture, trouble sleeping and others. Chiropractic has been known to help headache problems by solving the root of the problem and getting your spine back to its normal supportive state.

Different Types of Headaches

There are tension headaches caused by restrictions in the neck muscles supporting your head. These are generally caused by direct physical trauma, such as mentioned above – auto accidents, or milder, more persistent issues such as sinusitis. In the cases where the vertebral misalignment is the cause, a chiropractor is uniquely qualified to help the headache dissolve – instead of merely assuaging the symptoms.

Another type of headache comes from vascular, or blood vessel, issues. These tend to be persistent migraines, as well as cluster headaches. When you see a chiropractor, she will ask you questions regarding the origin and location of your headache, as well as any accompanying symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. Vascular headaches tend to induce a throbbing sensation, whereas neck aches produce tension headaches. Neck vertebrae in an improper state can be solved by the techniques of chiropractic; it is a noninvasive method that has worked very well for numerous people.

While we can’t guarantee results, we have a high success rate with patients who get headaches. Give us a call. Let’s sit down and discuss your unique situation.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• Is the spine the source of all headaches?
  Not necessarily. The three most common causes are physical trauma, emotional stress or chemical toxins. Sometimes there may be a combination of factors. Our examination process helps identify the most likely cause(s).
• What causes subluxations?
  There are three basic causes of subluxations. Physical causes could include slips and falls, accidents, repetitive motions, and improper lifting. Emotions, such as stress, anger and fear can be the cause of subluxations. Chemical causes could include alcohol, drugs, preservatives, pollution and poor diet.
• I was told it was “all in my head.” Now what?
  The pain you feel is real. And psychological sources of pain are common. However, this “diagnosis” is often the last resort of health practitioners who have exhausted their possible explanations of the cause of your problem. In these cases, we’ve often found that undetected subluxations are likely culprits.
• How many visits will it take?
  Some patients enjoy results quickly. Others notice a slow decline in their symptoms after several weeks or longer of chiropractic care. It’s impossible to predict. If you’ve had chronic headaches for many years, improvement can take time. We monitor your progress and modify our recommendations as needed.
• What if chiropractic care doesn’t help?
  If we’re unable to find and correct the cause of your particular health problem, we will refer to other experts who may be able to help. Your health and your satisfaction are our only goal.
• How come my medical doctor didn’t suggest chiropractic?
  That’s changing. Years of prejudice and bias are giving way to research showing the benefits of chiropractic care. Attitudes are slow to change. However, as the public demands alternatives to drugs and surgery, more and more medical practitioners are referring to chiropractors.