What causes headaches?
Chiropractic medicine postulates that most of the 150 types of headaches are caused by shoulder and neck muscles that shift your vertebrae out of alignment and irritate your nerves.
So, while your reaction to your boss may cause tension and stress, the actual pain in your head arises from a misaligned spine.
Are there different types of headaches?
You may suffer from one of three main types of headaches:
Cervicogenic headaches
Cervicogenic headaches originate from misalignments in your cervical spine (i.e., your neck).
Secondary headaches
Secondary headaches arise from underlying medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, trauma, and stroke
Migraine headaches
The cause of migraine headaches is unknown. Pulsing pain accompanies them, along with other symptoms such as seeing flashing lights
What is the difference between a migraine and a regular headache?
Whereas cervicogenic headaches can occur in different parts of your head and affect more than one area at once, migraines tend to be limited to just one region. Intense, pulsing pain characterize them, too.
To be diagnosed with migraines, you must have had at least five headaches that lasted from four to 72 hours without treatment. Your headache may also correlate with one or more of the following symptoms:
- Sensitivity to light
- Sensitivity to sound
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Warning signs -- such as auras, tingling sensations, or blind spots -- often precede migraines, too.
How does chiropractic resolve headaches and migraines?
Because misalignments in the cervical spine cause most headaches, Dr. Abercrombie realigns your spinal column with gentle manual and mechanical chiropractic manipulations.
When the spine is aligned correctly, your entire body functions more efficiently, and headaches tend to diminish or resolve. Chiropractic manipulation can even improve some migraine headaches.
Additionally, Dr. Abercrombie tailors your treatment plan to your individual needs. Treatment options include:
- Relaxation techniques
- Corrective exercises to maintain spinal health
- Trigger point therapy to release tension at points of pain
- Active Release Techniques® that release muscle tension and re-educates muscular structure
Don’t just treat symptoms. Eliminate the cause of headache pain by consulting with Dr. Abercrombie. You can call his office for an appointment, or set one up yourself online.
