Ways Chiropractic Care Helps Headaches

Posted on April 26, 2021

When was the last time you had a headache? Headaches are extremely common, but exactly how they can affect you can vary considerably. There are lots of different types of headaches, with some more common than others. Tension headaches are one of the most prevalent varieties of headaches, and these are often the result of stress or anxiety. A tension headache causes pain, which is also accompanied by band-like tension around the headache. Some people experience a type of headache called a migraine, which is characterized by severe pain as well as visual or sound disturbances and sensitivity. Exactly what causes headaches can vary too, but studies have found that problems with the neck and back are common contributors to the development of some types of headache. You might be surprised to learn that chiropractic treatment can help.

Research has shown that chiropractic treatment techniques, including spinal manipulation, trigger point therapy, and massage can be effective in helping to not only reduce the symptoms associated with headaches but also reduce the number of incidences of headaches that someone has.

Here are some of the top ways in which chiropractic care can help to manage headaches.

Reducing muscle tension and improving posture

Muscle tension is a common contributing factor in the development of many headaches. This muscle tension is normally found in the neck and upper back and is believed to be caused by a combination of poor posture and spending long periods of time in one fixed position. Doing so, particularly when you have poor posture, can put excessive pressure on the muscles and joints of the neck and upper back. This in turn can cause irritation and nerve pain, resulting in a headache.

Chiropractors are specially trained to identify, treat and manage conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system, which of course includes the bones and muscles of the back and neck. By adjusting your spine using chiropractic techniques, it is possible to relieve any pockets of pressure that may be irritating joints and nerves. This, combined with massage therapy, can reduce muscle tension too. Your chiropractor can also work with you to improve your posture so that if you are forced to spend long periods of time sitting, it will be with your spine perfectly aligned and your body balanced, ensuring it’s not under any unnecessary stress, potentially preventing future headaches.

Improving the way that your body works

Chiropractic treatment largely focuses on spinal adjustments. The spine houses the spinal cord – one of the key elements of our central nervous system which is responsible for all body systems and functions. Research has found that spinal adjustments can help to reduce pressure on the spinal cord, and this helps to alleviate stress on the central nervous system. As a result, your body systems can work more effectively, and this can help to improve overall wellness and reduce incidences of future headaches.

Offer advice and support

Chiropractors don’t only offer hands-on care. Many will also provide nutritional advice, exercises, and other at-home techniques which could be used to reduce the number of headaches that you experience or make them more manageable. Speak to them to find out what additional support that they can offer you to help make regular headaches a thing of the past.

If you are looking for more information about chiropractic care, please contact our friendly team at Accident and Injury Chiropractic in Tacoma, WA at (253) 215-8350 today for an appointment!