Headache Relief
at Bence Chiropractic Wellness Center
Headaches are a common issue in todays society with 50% of the population report having a headache every year. They can range anywhere from an annoyance to a debilitating condition that causes interruption to your daily life. Regardless of its severity, headaches cause mental blocks that don’t allow you to express yourself to your fullest potential. Although headaches are a common issue and are seen as a normal part of life, they are not. A headache is a signal that something is not right in your body. Some causes of headaches can include emotional stress(anxiety, depression), a medical condition(high blood pressure, infection, hormonal), physical stress(trauma, trigger points), biomechanical issue(nerve and spine dysfunction, tight muscles) and environmental(chemicals, weather, allergies). In our office we know the importance of finding the root cause of your health problems.
What to expect
When you come into our office for the first time, expect it to take up to an hour for a comprehensive exam and consultation. The first part of the exam is the detailed case history with a doctor that will attentively listen. Then posture checks along with neurological scans will be performed. Orthopedic tests are different positions the doctor will take you through in your area of concern to help determine the cause. Then xrays will be taken of your neck area to assess the cervical curve, alignment, and bone and disc health. The curve in your neck, cervical curve, is of high importance because when there is not a proper curve, this causes stress and tension on your spinal nerves and spinal cord. When a nerve has stress on it, it loses its function.
When there is a misalignment in the spine this causes interference or stress on the nervous system, this is called a subluxation. Our nervous system is composes of the brain, spinal cord and the spinal nerves. The nervous system controls and coordinates every cell, organ and tissue in our body. When a subluxation is present, the nerve is not signaling to the brain at its full capacity. As a chiropractor, we find these subluxations in your spine and take the pressure of the nerve so that there is a full line of communication between the body and the brain. Subluxations are corrected through chiropractic adjustments that allow your spine to have the proper motion and alignment. If your headaches are being caused by a subluxation, then they won’t get better until that is addressed.
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Ways to help relieve headaches
Stretches and exercises are complimentary to chiropractic adjustments to help strengthen and stabilize the area of weakness. Most adults tend to have tight shoulder muscles and weak neck muscles, this is called upper cross syndrome. A lot of headaches are caused by stress. Massage therapy is a great way to help relieve stress and tension in the shoulder area. Massage therapy is complimentary to chiropractic adjustments because it helps to further relieve pressure off the muscles and tendons, allowing for better nerve function. Massages also help with lymphatic drainage, which removes toxins from the body to further help with the healing process.
Types of headaches we can treat
- Tension Headaches
Tension headaches tend to be mild to moderate pain that forms diffuse pressure like a tight band around your head. These are the most common form of headaches, often caused by muscle tightness, trigger points, and spinal dysfunction. Since stress is a common trigger, chiropractic care combined with massage therapy often yields great results. - Migraine Headaches
Migraines are often confused with regular headaches. They typically present as throbbing, intense head pain, usually on one side. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, and visual auras before or during the episode. A chiropractic technique called Toggle, which focuses on the upper neck, is often effective for treating migraines. - Allergy or Sinus Headaches
These headaches cause pressure-like pain around the eyes, cheeks, and forehead. They are usually triggered by sinus infections or allergic inflammation. The pain worsens when lying down, bending over, or during weather pressure changes. Chiropractic adjustments to the upper neck, sinus pressure release techniques, and nutritional changes can help relieve symptoms. - Cervicogenic Headaches
Pain typically starts in the back of the head and wraps around to the front. Though it feels like a headache, the root cause is neck dysfunction. Patients often experience neck stiffness and pain with certain head movements. Chiropractic adjustments targeting the neck are particularly effective for this type of headache. - Pregnancy Headaches
These headaches are usually a type of another headache (tension, migraine, etc.) but occur during pregnancy. Treatment focuses on identifying the headache type and tailoring care accordingly. Managing stress, regular exercise, proper nutrition, adequate sleep, and prenatal massage are important for relief. - TMJD Headaches
Headaches can result from a misaligned jaw joint (TMJD – temporomandibular joint dysfunction). Symptoms include jaw pain or popping. Gentle chiropractic adjustments using an activator tool, along with jaw exercises and stretches, often provide significant relief.
Questions to answer
When should you see a chiropractor for headaches?
Are chiropractors covered by insurance for headaches?
Is massage or chiropractic better for headaches?
How can I relieve my headaches?
Can chiropractic help my TMJD?
