Headache & Migraine Pain

If you get frequent, or even occasional, headaches and think medication is your only option, think again. Headaches are one of the most common disorders in the world, and one of the top three reasons that people go to a chiropractor.

Doctors of chiropractic treat headaches conservatively without drugs. 95% of headaches are primary, meaning they are not caused by underlying disease. Three major types of headaches that chiropractors see are tension headaches, cluster headaches, and migraines.

Tension headaches

Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. There are frequently described as feeling like a band is pressing tightly around your head. These headaches can occur as a result of tension in the neck and shoulders, often due to stress and anxiety.

You can also develop them when you sit for a long time, which can irritate the spinal joints and increase muscle tension. Chiropractic care can be very effective for tension headaches. Researchers found that spinal manipulation resulted in almost immediate improvement for headaches that originated in the neck.

Cluster Headaches

A second kind of primary headache is the cluster headache. They cause severe pain and hit you in a series, a cluster, that can last for weeks or even months, often at roughly the same time of year. People describe them as a searing or stabbing pain on one side of the head, or sometimes behind the eye or temple. They can last anywhere from 15 minutes to a few hours, and you can have as many as eight a day. Cluster headaches tend to come on suddenly, often at night, with pain bad enough to wake you up. You may feel restless or agitated. A gentle neck adjustment can often restore mobility and provide relief.

Migraines

A third type of primary headache is the migraine, which is a leading cause of disability and missed work days. You may have warning signs of an impending migraine, including auras, which can distort your vision or other senses. Migraines usually come on slowly, with a throbbing pain that can last up to three days. You may be nauseous or feel sensitive to light and sound.

There are many causes of migraine, such as hormonal changes, stress, certain foods and medications, and lack of sleep. Chiropractors have a variety of tools that can help improve the function of your body, resulting in reduction or elimination of migraines. Therapies may include spinal manipulation, medical massage, and nutritional counseling.

Research shows that chiropractic care is effective at managing several types of headaches. So if you are a headache sufferer, consider consulting one of our Bloomington – Normal, IL chiropractors at Central Illinois Spine for expert, safe relief.