Headaches

Headaches

How Treatment Can Help

Having a headache is something that most people have experienced at some point in their life. For others, headaches seem to creep into their daily life more often than they would like. In either case, I think we can all agree that having a headache is something that we can really live without. Headaches can keep you from enjoying time with friends and family, can hinder your productivity at work, and can prevent you from being active. 

Having a headache is the 3^rd most common reason why someone would seek out the help of a chiropractor. I will outline the most common types of headaches that I see in practice and recommend strategies in dealing with each.

A headache can be categorized as a primary or secondary headache. Primary headaches are idiopathic in nature meaning they occur for no apparent reason. Common primary headaches are migraine and tension-type headaches. Patients with migraine headaches typically present with a pulsatile type pain on one side of the head accompanied by nausea and/or vomiting. Migraines can be preceded by or occur with or without an aura and definitely cause light and/or sound sensitivity. Tension-type headaches usually present with a pressing or squeezing type pain on both sides of the head and are not aggravated by daily routine activities. Secondary headaches are the result of another underlying issue in the head or neck. The most common secondary headache is a cervicogenic headache. The headache in this case is the direct result of injured structures in the neck. These headaches are aggravated by head movements or direct pressure on the neck. Both primary and secondary headaches can be episodic or chronic in nature.

Treatment options:

Migraine Headaches:            spinal manipulation, soft tissue therapy, acupuncture

Tension-Type Headaches:    low load craniocervical mobilizations (manual therapy or resistance   band work), soft tissue therapy, and acupuncture

Cervicogenic Headaches:    spinal manipulation, soft tissue therapy, deep neck flexor exercises,   and acupuncture

If you happen to be a headache sufferer, not to fret, there are options to help remedy your pains. With the right diagnosis, the right treatment plan can be developed and you are only a short time away from having some relief!

Headaches shouldn’t be ignored and any new/different headache will require diagnosis and intervention.


If you happen to experience the worst headache ever experienced, please go straight to the hospital. Don’t mess around with headaches!

Dr. Mark 

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