Why do I get headaches?
The aching, throbbing, pain you feel in your head doesn’t always start there. Headaches can radiate from pain in other areas of your body, most commonly tension in your neck (cervicogenic headaches).
Cervicogenic headaches are primary headaches, meaning that only your neck and head are involved, and no underlying conditions contribute to your pain.
Secondary headaches, however, are caused by illnesses or trauma. Some reasons for developing a secondary headache include:
- Fever
- Stroke
- High blood pressure
- Trauma
Migraine headaches are a particular type of headache that tends to be located on one side of your head and is accompanied by other symptoms in addition to pain. Thus far, researchers haven’t pinned down a single cause of migraines.
What’s the difference between a headache and a migraine?
If you have chronic headaches, you don’t necessarily have migraines. Migraine headaches not only tend to be limited to one side of your head, but the pain can also be intense, pulsing, and accompanied by at least one other symptom. Migraine symptoms may include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Seeing flashes of light
- Sensitivity to light, sounds, and smells
To be diagnosed with a migraine, you must have at least five headaches that last anywhere from 4-72 hours without treatment.
How do chiropractors treat headaches?
As a chiropractor, Dr. Vorzimer understands that subluxations (misalignments) in the spine cause a variety of symptoms and illnesses, including headaches and migraines.
When you come for a headache consultation, he performs an in-depth examination to locate the source or sources of your headache and migraine pain. Based on his findings, he custom designs a treatment plan to give you relief.
To align your spine and alleviate subluxations (misalignments) that contribute to or cause your pain, Dr. Vorzimer chooses from many effective spinal manipulation methods. The chiropractic techniques he may use include:
- Diversified Technique — short, quick, hand thrusts over the restricted joint to restore normal range of motion
- Activator Method — handheld Activator Adjusting Instrument delivers quick, low-force impulses to the spine
- Gonstead Technique — corrects all subluxations in the spine and stabilizes the pelvic girdle
Correcting subluxations allows your body to function optimally, increases healthy circulation, and relieves painful pressure on nerves. Dr. Vorzimer may add other therapies, including massage, to improve healing and soothe your pain.
To find out how chiropractic can relieve your headache pain, contact the helpful staff at J.V. Chiropractic today or use the online form to book an appointment.
