Headaches are one of the most common types of pain people experience. Headaches can range from a mild ache to a severe throbbing pain that is impossible to think with. Some people only experience headaches every once in a while, like if they are particularly stressed one day, while for others, headaches are frequent pain they are plagued with. Luckily, if you suffer from headaches, there’s a multitude of treatment options available to you, one of which being a chiropractor.

What Causes Headaches?

There are many potential causes for headaches ranging from a simple lifestyle factor like how much sleep you got last night to serious illness. It’s good to see a doctor if you experience frequent headaches so that they can determine the cause and an appropriate treatment method. In some causes, headaches can be treated through lifestyle changes, but in the event that they are a result of a serious problem, you’ll likely need more serious treatment.

What causes a headache varies based on the kind of headache that it is. Headaches are generally divided into categories based on their cause: primary and secondary. 

Primary Headaches

Primary headaches are the ones that are most common and that you generally don’t have to worry about, aside from how to get rid of the pain. These headaches stem from overactivity of or problems with the pain-sensitive structures of your head.

Primary headaches can be caused by stress, alcohol, your diet, sleep deprivation, your posture, and more. Some people are more predisposed to develop headaches based on their genetics, and in these cases or others, may suffer from chronic headaches.

Some of the most common types of primary headaches include: migraines, tension headaches, cluster headaches, exercise headaches, sex headaches, and chronic daily headaches, amongst others. 

Secondary Headaches

These are the more serious types of headaches which generally are a symptom of a much worse problem under the surface, although that is not always the case. These are typically the result of a condition activating the pain-sensitive structures in your head.

Secondary headaches can be caused by: blood clots, brain aneurysms, tumors, concussions, glaucoma, strokes, hangovers, panic disorders, a side effect of medications, and more. 

Some of the most common types of secondary headaches include: sinus headaches, brain freezes, external compression headaches, spinal headaches, thunderclap headaches, and more. 

Treatment Methods

How your headaches are treated may depend on the cause of them. If you have a more serious headache, a medical professional can treat it by treating the condition that causes it. For example, if you have a tumor, treating the tumor will likely treat the headache too. If you have a less serious headache, these can typically be treated in a number of different ways ranging from addressing your lifestyle to various types of therapies and massages, such as what chiropractors can provide.

If the root of your headaches is from food, adjusting your diet can treat it. Alcohol, caffeinated beverages, cheeses, processed foods, and more are all foods that can induce headaches, especially if consumed in excess. Skipped meals can also result in headaches, so it’s important to try to feed your body when it asks for food, and feed it in a good, healthy way.

Stress can also result in headaches due to the increased tension in your body. Both working to address the stress factor and to decrease tension can help with these headaches.

In the case that your headaches result as a side effect from a medication, you may consider consulting with your doctor about other potential options for you. 

Chiropractors can help you uncover the cause of your headaches as well as provide treatment. Here’s what you need to know about how chiropractors can treat headaches. 

How Chiropractors Help

Chiropractors will work with you to uncover the root cause of your headaches. Chiropractic treatment is aimed at restoring function and mobility to your body and nervous system, which can be very effective for relieving pain. Some of the ways that chiropractors can treat headaches include:

Spinal Manipulation

In many cases, irritated nerves can cause headaches. When a chiropractor manipulates your spine, they relieve the pressure. 

Spinal Mobilization

Spinal mobilization works to stretch your spine, which can do wonders for relieving tension as well as any pressure on your nervous system, both of which can help. 

Massage

If you suffer from frequent headaches, especially if it is from stress or tension, massages can do wonders to relax the muscles of your head and neck, providing relaxation, reducing stress, and easing the tension in your head. 

Do You Need Help With Headaches?

As you see, there are a number of ways that chiropractors can help. Carlile Chiropractic can help you find relief through our expert chiropractic adjustments and techniques. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation, please contact us at Carlile Chiropractic today!