
Do you suffer from headaches or migraines? You’re not alone. According to Penn Medicine, around 45 million Americans, or one in six people, complain about headaches each year. Most of these people turn to over-the-counter medication while looking for relief.
However, more people are waking up to the benefits of embracing the chiropractic approach to headache management. According to Medical News Today, more scientific evidence now shows that chiropractic care can be as preventive as preventive medications.
How can a chiropractor help with headaches? Can chiropractic care reduce headaches? Brandon Chiropractic Associates, the most trusted chiropractor in Brandon, FL, covers the details in this post.
It’s important to note that all types of headaches are not the same. Some of the most common types include migraine, tension, and cervicogenic headaches.
Tension headaches feel like you have a band around your head. Migraine headaches typically involve pain in one side of the head, but you’ll also feel sensitivity to light and sound and some nausea.
Cervicogenic headaches affect different areas of the head and face. Although the cause of the problem often originates from the neck.
As with all things chiropractic care, chiropractic therapy for headaches features a combination of approaches. When you visit a chiropractor to treat your headache, you can expect them to treat you using a few of these approaches.
Manual therapy is the mainstay of chiropractic care for headache relief. Chiropractors treat headaches through small spinal adjustments designed to improve joint mobility and spine function. Manual therapy works for all types of headaches, but it works best for cervicogenic headaches.
The chiropractor treats the headache by reducing nerve irritation and restoring proper movement.
During this therapy, the chiropractor combines approaches like myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and massage to relieve muscle tension and other types of musculoskeletal tightness causing headaches. This therapy works best for tension headaches.
Chiropractors use low-level electrical current to manage pain and encourage muscle relaxation.
During acupuncture, the chiropractor will insert needles at specific points to help stimulate your nervous system. The stimulation helps alleviate pain, bringing you relief from the headache you’re feeling.
Some strengthening and stretching exercises targeting the neck and upper back can increase your core stability and improve your posture, helping you prevent future headaches. The chiropractor will work with you to design a personalized exercise program that can help you manage the headache.
Chiropractors emphasize healthy lifestyle habits to prevent certain types of headaches. Some of the changes they may recommend include:
Can a chiropractor help with headaches? Certainly. You can experience medication-free, noninvasive headache treatment by working with a chiropractor.
The doctors at Brandon Chiropractic Associates are highly experienced in alleviating headaches with chiropractic adjustments.
Do you want to put your headaches behind you? Can you see other signs you need to see a chiropractor?
Trust a professional to help. Schedule a consultation today.
Related: Can Scoliosis Cause Headaches? How Spinal Curvature and Cervical Tension Are Connected