Headaches & Migraines
Headaches and migraines occur for a variety of reasons. You may find relief when you understand these triggers and how chiropractic treatments for headaches and migraines support a healthier lifestyle.
Headaches and migraines are common and can occur in people of all ages. They can occur for several reasons, including a combination of factors such as stress, poor diet, or sleep deprivation. However, the most common similarity between headaches and migraines is the tenseness of muscles, which can cause pain in all parts of the body.
Identifying problem areas allows you to replace negative habits with ones that make you healthier and happier. It can also help you assess which lifestyle habits increase your risk of developing headaches and migraines.
Headaches
Chronic Headaches
Chronic headache (or tension headache) is usually caused by muscle tension in the back of the neck and affects women more often than men. Chronic daily headaches last 15 days or more per month for at least three months. They can worsen without proper treatment and limit your ability to perform normal daily activities.
Tension Headaches
Tension headaches are usually felt as a band across the forehead potentially lasting several days. They can be uncomfortable and tiring, but they do not usually disturb sleep. Most people are able to work tension headaches.
Migraines
Migraine is a much more severe headache classification, and women are more likely to suffer from migraines. About 36 million Americans suffer from migraines, and it is estimated that 7 out of 10 people deal with a headache every year.
A migraine causes severe, sharp, throbbing, and pulsating pain and can last for hours or days. It can occur suddenly, first developing as a mild headache or progressing quickly to a severe headache. Common symptoms of migraine include dizziness, drowsiness, headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Tingling in the face, neck, back, shoulders, arms, hips, legs, knees, ankles, hands or feet may also occur.
Common Symptoms
You may experience painful sensations such as blurred vision, nausea, and mild headaches. Although there are over-the-counter medications available, recurring headaches suggest that the drugs do not solve the underlying problem.
It is important that patients recognize that changes in their environment and that diet can also trigger inflammation. Certain foods, such as cheese and wine, can increase sensitivity, and a dietitian can help you identify various foods that can reduce these triggers.
TMJ can also contribute to the pain, especially when it is from previous head and neck injuries. They can lead to head injuries and other spinal areas that have an impact on migraines.
Treatments
Treatments include relaxation techniques, acupuncture, cranial manipulation, and cervical exercises. Chiropractic care is an effective treatment as headaches and migraines are often caused by imbalances in the cervical spine muscle, spinal cord, or a combination of both.
Studies have shown that there is a significant difference between a migraine and a headache where chiropractic treatment can be used, and studies have also indicated that chiropractic adjustments can be as effective in treating migraines as medications. Treatment with chiropractors also reduces the risk of cervical spasms (i.e., headaches originating from the cervix and spinal muscles).
With chiropractic treatment, we can find the cause of the pain and help you find long-term relief. We start by thoroughly examining the spine, skull, and habits to combat the headaches.