Headaches are a common complaint, but they can sometimes become so severe that they affect your ability to focus, achieve your goals for the day, or, in severe cases, your ability to function. At Carbon Chiro, we specialise in chiro for headaches to help alleviate your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Headaches affect around 4.9 million Australians and are a common reason for chiropractic visits. There are several different types of headaches with different causes. While pain can be caused by structures outside the skull, like muscle tension and spinal restriction in the neck, the mechanism in some types of headaches is thought to be a combination of changes to neurovascular structures and heightened pain perception.
Common triggers for headaches include poor posture, prolonged screen time, stress, dehydration, and lack of sleep. Certain headaches, such as tension and cervicogenic headaches, originate from the neck and upper back due to muscle tightness and restricted joint movement. Conversely, migraines are more complex and involve changes that hormonal shifts or environmental stimuli can trigger. Cluster headaches are severe unilateral headaches with similar triggers to migraines. Identifying the type of headache and its likely cause is essential for effective management and treatment.
Through soft tissue therapy, spinal adjustment and lifestyle guidance, chiropractors help reduce headache frequency and severity while improving overall spinal health by promoting optimal movement and slowing down degenerative changes. Chiropractic care can also assist in posture correction, muscle relaxation, and nervous system function, addressing underlying issues contributing to chronic headaches. If headaches persist, seeking chiropractic care can help identify triggers, provide natural pain relief, and improve overall well-being.
Chiropractic care is particularly effective in managing cervicogenic headaches, which are often associated with poor neck posture, restricted movement, and pain that worsens with active neck movement or pressure on specific neck areas. By finding the restriction, restoring movement in that area and reducing muscle tension, chiropractic adjustments help alleviate the underlying causes of these headaches. Many patients also report relief from other types of headaches through chiropractic care. If headaches persist or interfere with daily life, chiropractic treatment provides a natural, non-invasive option for long-term relief.
Things that can make a mild headache worse, regardless of the type of headache, include:
Chiropractic treatment for headaches focuses on restoring movement in restricted joints to improve mobility and range of motion. The cervical facet joints, often stiff, can limit neck movement and contribute to headaches. These restrictions are relieved through chiropractic adjustments and soft tissue therapy, allowing for greater neck flexibility and reducing headache symptoms associated with neck stiffness.
Some benefits of seeing a chiropractor for headaches may include:
First, we need to assess where the headache is coming from and what type of headache you might be suffering from—this involves a thorough history and physical examination. If the headache is within our scope of practice, we will commence treatment; if not, or if there are red flags, we would refer you to a GP for further investigation and consideration of imaging.
Chiropractic treatment can be effective for various headaches, including migraine, tension headaches, cluster headaches, and cervicogenic headaches. It may include soft tissue therapy, active release techniques, mobilisation, and adjustment. Specific exercises can also be surprisingly effective, particularly for cervicogenic headaches, and are worth trying. If you are looking for a drug-free alternative to headache treatment, why not try chiropractic care?
Your first visit will include:
In addition to chiropractic treatment, there are several ways that you can naturally treat headaches. Regardless of the type of headache you are struggling with, the following are some examples of helpful alternatives you can try at home:
It’s time to stop. Book an appointment today with Dr. Kirill and get back your mobility.
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