Chiropractic Treatment for Headaches & Migraines
Chiropractors have implemented a natural, drugless approach to headache and migraine treatment for decades. Below we provide a few of the most common questions we hear about chiropractic treatment for headaches and we provide an overview of our approach to providing relief to patients with headaches and migraines.
Is Chiropractic The Right Approach For My Headache Or Migraine?
The short answer to this question is “maybe”. It really depends on the type of headache you have and the cause of your headache. If you have a one off headache that goes away after a night’s sleep or even just a couple Advil, you probably don’t need to treat your headaches with chiropractic care. However, if you are having repeated headaches and migraines, then working with a chiropractor could be a solution to your headaches.
A 2009 analysis of 20 different clinical trials found that “Evidence suggests that chiropractic care, including spinal manipulation, improves migraine and cervicogenic headaches.”
Chiropractic is a great treatment for cervicogenic headaches. Cervicogenic headaches are headaches that are caused by a disorder within the spine or soft tissues in the neck. People with cervicogenic headaches often notice that, in addition to their headache, they also have reduced range of motion in their neck and if they move their neck and head a specific way the headache worsens. Additionally, these headaches are often only on one side of the head and can move from the neck/back up to the front of the head or behind your eye.
How Can Chiropractic Treatment Help with My Headaches and Migraines?
At Kenilworth Chiropractic, we work with our patients to understand the type of headache pain they are dealing with and the cause of their headache. We then provide individualized treatment to provide headache and migraine relief that can include:
- Cranial and spinal manipulation
- Acupressure
- Massage
- Recommended exercises
- Relaxation
- Diet recommendations
Additionally, depending on the type of pain and cause of the headache, we may recommend you see your primary care doctor or a neurologist who specializes in headache treatment. In some cases, chiropractic care is a great supplement to a more comprehensive approach and we can work in tandem with your other healthcare providers to give you the treatment that you need.
How Can I Prevent Future Headaches or Get Headache Relief at home?
The American Chiropractic Association provides the following suggestions to prevent headaches:
- Take Stretch Breaks – If you spend a large amount of time in front of a screen at a desk, take a break and stretch every 30 – 60 minutes. Make sure the stretches take your neck through a comfortable range of motion.
- Low Impact Exercise – This can relieve the pain associated with primary headaches. Note that if you are prone to dull, throbbing headaches, you should avoid heavy exercise and stick to walking and other low-impact aerobics.
- Avoid Teeth Clenching – Teeth clenching can result in stress at the temporomandibular joints, which are the two joints that connect your jaw to your skull. This can lead to irritation at these joints causing tension headaches.
- Stay Hydrated – Drink at least 64 ounces of water a day to avoid dehydration which can lead to headaches.