It’s 3:00pm. You’ve been staring at your computer screen for two hours, straight.
Now, you’ve got a pounding headache.
You wonder how long you’ve had it… They always seem to hit when you’ve got so much to do!
You’re tired of popping pain pills a few times every week, but what other option do you have?
Can a Chiropractor Help with Headaches?
If you suffer from headaches, you’re not alone. 90% of Americans have frequent headaches.
Research shows that chiropractic adjustments are very effective in treating tension headaches and headaches whose source is in the neck.
Recent studies link pain from headaches to nerve irritation.
- One study, conducted at the University of Maryland, found a connection between muscle tension at the base of the neck and headaches. Muscle contractions interfere with the nerves at the base of the head and neck. This muscle tension often plays a contributing factor to headache pain.
- Another study found that the vast majority of migraine headache sufferers have misalignments of the spinal vertebrae in the neck. This can put pressure on the nerves leading up to the base of the skull.
- A report recently released by researchers at Duke University found that patients who received chiropractic treatment for headaches experienced almost immediate relief when their headaches originated in the neck. They also experienced long-lasting relief from tension headaches and no side effects as compared to pain medications.
Common Headache Triggers
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95% – Muscle Tension in the Neck
Americans are more sedentary than we used to be. We spend hours in a fixed position or with improper posture. This creates nerve irritation and muscle tension in the neck and upper back. Whether you’re hunching over our keyboard to get a closer look at the computer screen or looking down at your phone, too much time spent in a fixed position can wreak havoc on your neck.
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5% – Warning Signals of a Physical Problem
Dehydration, foods, noises, stress, excessive exercise, toxins and blood sugar changes can all trigger a headache.
Don’t see your headache trigger listed? Check out our complete list of Headache Triggers.
How Does a Chiropractor Treat Headaches?
Chiropractors undergo extensive training and are experts on how tension in the spine relates to other parts of the body. They specialize in treating headaches in a natural, non-invasive but effective way.
Chiropractors treat headaches caused by muscle tension in the neck with chiropractic adjustments combined with physical therapy.
When bones become locked up or fixated due to micro-injuries they limit our range of motion. When we bend and move, they remain locked up or hypomobile.
During the chiropractic adjustment a chiropractor applies light pressure to the joint to free up the vertebra and restore motion. The joints above and below the hypomobile joint are also compromised. They bend too much in trying to compensate for the immobile joints. This is called hypermobile.
By restoring motion to the joints that are locked up, chiropractors restore health and function to the body.
Our team of 12 Kansas City chiropractors specialize in treating headaches at the source. Open 7 Days a Week, we provide headache treatment to thousands of patients every year. We are in-network with every insurance company. To see if chiropractic care can help with your specific headache symptoms, schedule an appointment online.
Find out More:
Headache or Migraine? How to Tell the Difference.
Do You Know What Triggers Your Headaches? This List Will Surprise You.