Headaches are a common symptom treated by chiropractors. There are several types of headaches, each having a different cause and effect, but often with some similarities.

Current thinking is that migraines are caused within the brain itself. This could be caused by blood vessel changes, nerve misfiring, or even hormonal/chemical changes. These can be triggered by everyday things, sounds, smells, lights, fatigue, stress or even weather changes. These changes are unique to each person and may need a combination of things to trigger an episode. Migraines are difficult to cure, and most treatments are palliative. Medication may help, but understanding what starts migraines will help with controlling them. Rest or being in a dark room tends to help when having a migraine. Improving posture and decreasing muscle tension may help as well.

Other types of headaches can result from several things, but tend to derive from outside the brain and refer to the head. Similar things can trigger a headache, such as weather, stress, and sinus pressure. Tension headaches are very common and can often be managed well with chiropractic treatment. Tightness in the Upper Trapezius muscle above the shoulders and the muscle behind the neck can be a common causes of tension headaches. These muscles are put in a state of prolonged contraction when your posture becomes rounded forward, with you head sitting in front of your chest instead of supported over your shoulders.  This will fatigue the muscles and send a sensation of pain into the head – called referred pain. Loosening these muscles and maintaining better posture can help decrease the tension and lessen the pain into the head.

We can create a treatment plan to try and help with both of these. Having a home exercise and mobility routine, and maintaining a proper sitting position while at a desk or driving, will keep the head back and shoulders down. This will help mitigate some of the referred pain. If you are experiencing these symptoms, call the office today so we can help you get back in life!

Disclaimer: This article is intended to provide our readers with timely and accurate information. It is not intended to give personal medical advise, which should be obtained directly from a physician.  Acting on any information provided without first consulting a physician is solely at the readers risk.