Headaches and migraines are a very common occurrence, affecting at least half of the adult population of the world in the last year, according to the World Health Organization. But their prevalence doesn’t make them any more pleasant. Depending on the strength of a headache, it may cause mild discomfort, significant pain or outright agony. Headaches may be accompanied by throbbing sensations, neck pain, sensitivity to light and sound or feelings of nausea. If you have felt any or all of these symptoms, you need a solution.
Book OnlineThe Anniston Chiropractic is here to help you get the treatment you need in a compassionate and affordable setting. Our team is friendly, our schedules are accommodating and our results are well-attested. If you want to find a chiropractor for headache relief today, don’t hesitate to learn more.
Why You Should See a Headache Treatment Doctor Today
In rare cases, headaches are a sign of a much more serious disorder, such as a disease of the nervous system or a brain tumor. For the most part, however, headaches are just terribly unpleasant. Depending on their severity, they may make everyday life difficult or downright impossible, especially if your headache transitions to a migraine.
That’s why you should seek a headache treatment doctor today. Even if you have only experienced mild symptoms so far, it’s important to address the problem before it gets any worse. A headache treatment doctor can help you do that, as well as align the rest of your bodily systems to increase your overall health.
How Tension Headache Treatment Chiropractic Experts Will Help You
Exactly how do tension headache treatment chiropractic experts help with headaches? Good question. When you first arrive at the chiropractor’s office, they will ask you to fill out a few forms detailing your health history, any medical issues you might currently be experiencing other than headaches, and the specifics of your headache problem.
After that, the chiropractor will perform a physical examination and ask deeper questions about your headaches and overall health. Once they have a good idea of what might be causing the headache, they will formulate a treatment plan. This may involve manual adjustments, spinal decompression, physical therapy, massage or a range of other treatments. Over time, as we see what works and what doesn’t, your doctor will make you an increasingly tailored plan.
Headaches & Migraines Frequently Asked Questions
Can neck problems contribute to headaches?
Yes. Certain headaches can be associated with structures in the neck, including the joints, muscles, and surrounding tissues. Restricted neck movement, muscle tension, or other mechanical factors may contribute to some headache patterns. However, headaches have many possible causes, so recurring headaches should be appropriately evaluated rather than automatically assumed to originate from the neck.
What is a cervicogenic headache?
A cervicogenic headache is a headache in which pain is referred from structures in the neck. The discomfort may begin in the neck or near the base of the skull and travel toward the side or front of the head. Neck movement or certain positions may sometimes aggravate symptoms. Because other headache disorders can produce similar symptoms, an evaluation is important when determining whether the neck may be involved.
Can forward-head posture contribute to headaches?
Forward-head posture may increase the workload placed on muscles and joints in the neck and upper back. For some individuals, this mechanical stress may be associated with neck tension or headache symptoms. Posture is only one potential contributing factor, however, and a posture finding alone does not establish the cause of a headache.
How are tension headaches different from migraines?
Tension-type headaches commonly involve pressure or tightness around the head and may be associated with tenderness in the neck or scalp. Migraines are a neurological headache disorder and may involve moderate to severe pain along with symptoms such as nausea and sensitivity to light or sound. Headache symptoms can overlap, so patients with frequent, severe, or changing headaches should receive an appropriate healthcare evaluation.
Why do headaches sometimes begin at the base of the skull?
The upper neck contains joints, muscles, nerves, and other structures that can refer discomfort toward the head. Muscle tension or irritation involving structures in this region may therefore be associated with pain that begins near the base of the skull. Because pain in this location can have different causes, persistent or unusual headaches should be evaluated rather than diagnosed based on location alone.
Can computer and phone use contribute to headaches?
Extended computer and phone use may contribute to certain headache triggers. Long periods of screen use can involve sustained neck positions, muscle tension, reduced movement, and eye strain. Taking regular breaks, changing positions, adjusting screen height, and improving workstation ergonomics may help reduce some of these stresses. Persistent headaches should still be evaluated to determine whether other factors are involved.
How do you evaluate someone with recurring headaches?
An evaluation begins with understanding the headache pattern, including when symptoms started, where the pain occurs, how often headaches happen, possible triggers, associated symptoms, and relevant medical history. When appropriate, the examination may also assess the neck, posture, movement, and relevant orthopedic or neurological findings. If the history or examination suggests that additional medical evaluation or diagnostic testing is needed, referral may be appropriate.
When does a headache require urgent medical attention?
Seek immediate medical attention for a sudden, extremely severe headache or a headache accompanied by concerning symptoms such as weakness or numbness, difficulty speaking, confusion, fainting, seizures, significant vision changes, high fever with marked neck stiffness, or other new neurological symptoms. A significant new headache following a head injury also warrants prompt evaluation. When in doubt about severe or rapidly changing symptoms, emergency medical assessment is the safer course.
Can chiropractic care help every type of headache?
No. Headaches have many different causes, and chiropractic care is not appropriate for every type of headache. When examination findings suggest that neck or other musculoskeletal factors may be contributing to a patient’s symptoms, conservative care may be considered. If findings suggest another cause or indicate the need for medical evaluation, an appropriate referral should be made. Results cannot be guaranteed.
What posture changes may reduce mechanical headache triggers?
If prolonged positioning is contributing to neck tension or headache symptoms, simple changes may help reduce mechanical stress. Position computer monitors closer to eye level, avoid looking down at a phone for extended periods, change positions regularly, and take movement breaks throughout the day. Individualized exercises or posture recommendations may also be appropriate after an evaluation identifies specific findings that should be addressed.