Chronic headaches and migraines can be debilitating and frustrating conditions that can significantly impact a person's quality of life. While over the counter or prescription medications can provide temporary relief, they do not address the root cause of the problem. Chiropractic, on the other hand, can be an effective treatment option for those who suffer from chronic headaches and migraines.

Chiropractic involves the use of various techniques and exercises to improve movement, mobility, and function. It can be particularly useful for people with chronic headaches as it can reduce musculoskeletal impairments and restrictions related to neck pain and re-educate you on proper posture too. Patients who seek chiropractic as a medication-free treatment for their conditions can experience decreased frequency of episodes and improved quality of life.

What Causes Headaches

One common cause of chronic headaches is muscle tension in the neck and shoulders. This tension can be caused by poor posture, stress, overuse, or weakness of certain muscles. Chiropractic can not only help to strengthen the muscles in the neck and shoulders, which can help to reduce muscle tension and lessen pain, but importantly can help to correct any misalignments in your spine that could be causing your headaches.

Another cause of chronic headaches is poor blood flow to the head and neck. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including poor posture or tension in the neck and shoulders. Chiropractic can help to improve blood flow through spinal manipulations and hands-on treatment to reduce inflammation, focused attention to posture, the proper balance of strength and mobility in musculature supporting the head and neck, and targeted exercises prescribed by your chiropractor to maintain your positive improvement and wellness.  

What Causes Migraines

Migraines are a neurologic disorder that often causes a very strong headache resulting in impaired vision and sensitivity to light, nausea, and vomiting. Migraines vary significantly from person to person, with each individual migraine fluctuating in severity. Treatment provided by a chiropractor can help to decrease pain, improve mobility, and provide postural correction and training to help reduce musculoskeletal impairments from increasing a person’s predisposition to migraines.

Chiropractic Treatment for Headaches

Based on the findings of your report of findings from your initial evaluation, your chiropractor will determine the appropriate services to include in your care plan. Some individuals suffering from headaches or migraines may have other areas of concern, such as symptoms of jaw pain or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. TMJ disorders, which affect the joints that connect the jaw to the skull, can also cause headaches. Poor posture, especially of the shoulders and neck from significant computer or desk time, can also lead to TMJ and headaches. Under the guidance of your chiropractor, all of these things will be part of your individualized evaluation and addressed during your comprehensive care plan.

A study conducted by the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that chiropractic care, including spinal manipulation, improved migraines and cervicogenic headaches. In addition to spinal manipulation, your chiropractor will also provide you with education and tips for ways to reduce your headaches. It’s important to recognize what triggers a headache and understand what causes your headaches. As your partner in health, it’s important to us that we not only help you get out of pain now, but help to reduce headaches or migraines in the long term. With a goal of reducing how your musculoskeletal system may be influencing your headaches or migraines, chiropractic can help improve your overall health and reduce the frequency and severity of these painful episodes.

Break Free of Headache Fog

If you suffer from chronic headaches, consider trying chiropractic. With MCR Chiropractic, you can find relief and improve your quality of life. Break free of your head fog by calling your nearest MCR Chiropractic clinic or completing the form below to request an appointment.

Resources:

• https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/neck-pain-migraine/
• https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/what-type-of-headache-do-you-have/
• https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2787727
• https://www.jmptonline.org/article/S0161-4754(11)00068-6/fulltext
• https://www.acatoday.org/patients/headaches-and-chiropractic/
• https://handsdownbetter.org/health-and-wellness/neck-pain/