Headaches are one of the most common health complaints in the U.S., whether they are simple tension headaches or migraines. Luckily, chiropractic care can provide headache relief through spinal manipulation, massage, and exercise. Below is more information about how this can help with headaches.

Migraine Headaches

Migraines cause people to experience a throbbing or pulsing pain on one side of their head. These headaches can also come with nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. While many people treat these issues with over-the-counter medications, chiropractic care is an effective solution for persistent cases.

One option is a neuromuscular massage, which focuses on sensitive points in the head, shoulders, neck, and back. Chiropractors will relieve the tension in these areas to provide physical headache relief. In addition to this, physical therapy, stress management, relaxation techniques, and dietary advice can help lower pain levels, as well as the frequency and duration of migraines.

Cervicogenic Headaches

These are a type of secondary headache, which typically stem from underlying conditions such as infections, high blood pressure, or neck injuries. Cervicogenic headaches originate in the neck, with the pain on one side of the head. These are uncommon, and medication is ineffective at reducing them, leaving physical treatment as the best option.

Chiropractic techniques that can benefit this condition include:

• Spinal Manipulation: This targets the cervical spine at the base of the neck. A practitioner will apply pressure to adjust areas of the neck and relieve pressure and pain.
• Deep Neck Flexor Exercises: A therapist guides a patient in actively moving neck muscles and joints. This relieves tension in the neck, reducing stress and the frequency of headaches.
• Joint Mobilization: This is a passive technique in which a chiropractor manipulates the cervical spine to increase movement, which reduces pain.

Tension Headaches

Tension headaches cause a patient to feel tightness around their head, and they are often due to prolonged muscle tension in the shoulders or neck. While over-the-counter medicines can reduce pain, they are not effective treatments.

Chiropractic treatment does not directly stop these headaches, but it is beneficial for long-term tension problems. The best method of care is low-load craniocervical mobilization. This technique involves the application of gentle pressure on neck joints in rhythmic patterns, along with stretching of the neck muscles.

 

If you need headache relief for migraines, tension, or cervicogenic issues, contact Xenia Chiropractic in Greene County, OH. They have been serving the community for over 20 years and are proficient in a wide range of therapeutic techniques to alleviate the root causes of persistent headaches. To make an appointment, call (937) 708-8979. Learn more about their services online.