9 out of 10 Americans suffer from headaches. Headaches are wide ranging and varying in intensity, frequency and their cause. Chiropractic care has been shown to be an effective treatment option for many different types of headaches. MVMT Chiropractic specializes in the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of the various types of headaches.

Headache Triggers

Headaches have many causes, or “triggers.” These can include foods, environmental stimuli (noises, lights, stress, etc.) and/or behaviors (insomnia, excessive exercise, blood sugar changes, etc.) About 95 percent of headaches are primary headaches, such as tension, migraine, or cluster headaches. These types of headaches are not caused by disease; the headache itself is the primary concern. These types of headaches typically respond to conservative management like treatments that are provided in our office.

Majority of headaches are associated with muscle tension in the neck or joint restrictions in the neck. Today, Americans engage in more sedentary activities than in the past, and more hours are spent in one fixed position or posture (such as sitting in front of a computer). This can increase joint irritation and muscle tension in the neck, upper back and scalp, causing your head to ache.

Known headache triggers

  • Stress
  • Poor posture
  • Extended time in sedentary positions (looking at phones, working at computers, etc.)
  • Work station ergonomics
  • Text neck
  • Not drinking enough water, dehydration
  • Smoking
  • Strong odors (perfumes)
  • Lighting (bright lights, flickering lights, fluorescent lights)
  • Too little sleep
  • Prior head trauma
  • Lack of physical activity or too much physical activity
  • Fasting
  • Hormone changes
  • Menstrual cycles
  • Ovulation
  • Medications

Types of Headaches Most Commonly Treated at MVMT

  • Migraine
  • Tension
  • Cervicogenic

Migraine

A migraine is an intense throbbing headache that may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light or noise. Migraines are usually recurring headaches that range from moderate to severe in intensity.

Cervicogenic Headaches

Fifteen to twenty percent of all headaches arise from problems in the neck and are classified as “cervicogenic headaches.” The most common cause of these types of headaches are joint restrictions found in the neck or cervical spine. Cervicogenic headache symptoms may be triggered by awkward movements and postures. The condition is more common in patients who have recently experienced trauma, especially a motor vehicle accident. Cervicogenic headaches are sometimes accompanied by poor posture, including a “slouched” or “forward head” posture.

Tension Headache

Tension headaches are usually described as mild to moderate and present in a band-like distribution throughout the head. These headaches may also be accompanied by tenderness in the ascap, neck, and shoulders.

Common Treatment techniques for headaches

  • Spinal manipulation or adjustments
  • Massage and manual therapies to the neck, upper back, and shoulders
  • Avoidance of headache triggers
  • Workstation ergonomics
  • Exercise