Whether we like it or not, headaches are something that we all experience from time to time. Sometimes, headaches occur because we haven’t eaten enough, we’re tired, or our vision is impaired. However, many people experience random headaches for no apparent reason, making them difficult to treat. Thankfully, utilizing chiropractic care for headaches is a new method you to treat your symptoms!.
Types of Headaches
Tension Headaches - These are the most common type of headache. It is often described as a constant, achy, and dull feeling on one or both sides of the head. They start out slowly and can last anywhere from a few moments to a few days. Tension headaches can be the result of poor posture that causes stress on the neck and spine. Another common cause is subluxations or partial dislocations in the upper neck and back. Tension headaches can also be the result of whiplash injury from car accidents. In this case, referred pain from trigger points in the Sternocleidomastoid (SCM) or levator muscle on the side of the neck creates the tension headaches.
Migraines - Migraines are experienced by 25 million people in the United States every year and are primarily experienced by women. These throbbing, intense headaches can last anywhere from a few hours to several days. Migraines are often associated with nausea and light sensitivity. Migraines are often genetic and most people experience their first migraine before the age of 30. The primary internal cause of many migraines is a constriction of blood vessels, followed by the dilation of these blood vessels within the brain. This creates a decrease in blood flow, followed by a rapid increase which can lead to an intense headache.
Cluster Headaches - Although less common than tension headaches and migraines, they still affect about 1 million Americans yearly. These headaches are usually felt behind the eyes on either side of the head and do not tend to last very long. Cluster headaches are more common at night time and occur mostly in males. They get the name “cluster” because they often occur more than once, approximately one to four times per day. Similarly to migraines, cluster headaches are related to the blood vessels in the brain dilating and constricting.
Common Headache Triggers
While some headaches occur for no particular reason, there are many things that can contribute to causing a headache. These are called headache triggers and they commonly include:
Stress
Certain foods
Odors
Menstrual periods
Weather changes
Depression
Anxiety
Can a Chiropractor Help?
Each and every person who experiences headaches has a totally different case. Each case must be thoughtfully evaluated before determining a course of chiropractic care for headaches.
For tension headaches, the most success is seen when the upper two cervical vertebrae are adjusted along with the junction between the cervical and thoracic spine. The same procedure has proven to be helpful for migraines, paired with avoidance of lifestyle triggers. Studies have shown that chiropractic care has been beneficial to those with tension headaches and migraines and that those who stopped chiropractic care after four weeks experienced long-term benefits compared to those who did not receive care.
Contact Us Today!
At Connetquot Chiropractic, we aim to provide you with personalized chiropractic care for headaches that will provide you with the long term results you are looking for. Don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment today to get relief from your painful headaches.