“Can a chiropractor help my headache?” If you’ve wondered by yourself many times and came across this article, you’re in the right place. According to the World Health Organization, around 50% of the adult population suffers from headaches at least once within a year. In fact, headache is one of the most common disorders of the nervous system. Headaches have a strong link with tension in the muscles of the head or neck. They usually happen when you spend more hours in one fixed position or posture such as driving or sitting for long hours. Whether you are experiencing a throbbing migraine, headaches, dull ache, cluster headaches, pounding headaches, or something that causes debilitating pain, either occasionally or frequently, it is necessary to take these issues seriously. The throbbing headaches can be disabling. They might affect your quality of life as it affects your ability to think as well as your concentration to accomplish tasks. Oftentimes, what comes first to our mind when experiencing headaches is to take an over-the-counter pain reliever. However, did you know that there are more natural alternatives to heal your pounding headache? Research has shown that chiropractic care can be an effective way to alleviate different types of headaches.
Types of Headaches
Chronic Tension Headaches
Tension-type headaches are the most common type of headache. It is usually described as pressure or tightness like that of a band-like tension around the head sometimes reaching into the neck. This is usually caused by a combination of stress as well as back or neck strain.
Migraines
Some people suffer from migraines. These are usually recurring moderate to severe headache pain on one side of the head. Moreover, migraines are mostly accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.
Cervicogenic headaches
This type of headache occurs from the sudden movement of the neck causing neck pain. This happens when your neck is in the same position for some time. Symptoms include:
- Pain that stays in one area
- Head pain when you cough or sneeze
- Stiff neck or chronic neck pain
How Can Chiropractic Care Help Alleviate Headaches?
According to the American Chiropractic Association and research found in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT), chiropractic care has improved outcomes. Spinal manipulation improves tension headaches, migraines, and cervicogenic headaches.
Primary Chiropractic Services Provided By a Chiropractic Doctor Include:
- Perform chiropractic adjustments to help to improve spinal function and alleviate stress on the nervous system.
- Provides counseling to patients to guide them in improving their lifestyle choices
- Help you find ways to relieve stress from work or long hours of driving
- Advice on proper posture, exercises, and relaxation techniques. These will help ease muscle tension of the neck and upper cervical vertebrae to help relieve headache pain.
Is Chiropractic for Headaches Worth Trying?
