While many individuals find relief from herniated discs and chronic back pain with the help of a chiropractor, these health practitioners can also help patients suffering from headaches and migraines. These conditions can be debilitating to those experiencing them, as many come with symptoms that include sensitivity to light and sound, as well as neck tension and sensations of pins and needles in the arms and legs. If you're wondering how noninvasive chiropractic care can alleviate headaches, review the following brief guide to learn more. 

A Guide to Chiropractic Care for Headache Relief

How Do Chiropractors Help Headaches?

Headaches and migraines can stem from a myriad of issues. There are four types that chiropractic care is particularly beneficial for:

• Tension Headaches: Pain can feel like a rubber band is squeezing the head. Other symptoms include the tugging of the muscles at the base of the skull, leading to stiffness in the neck.
• Sinus Headaches: Increased head pressure due to nasal drip and congestion.
• Cluster Headaches: Chronic pain caused by nerve issues in the face, usually prompting twitching, facial sweating, and watery eyes.
• Migraines: Intense discomfort at the temples coupled with sensitivity to light, nausea, and blurred vision.

A chiropractor can identify areas of tension and misalignments in the vertebrae that cause these types of headaches. From there, they will perform a series of manual adjustments to bring the spinal column back into alignment, relieving pressure and reducing the severity and frequency of symptoms. When they adjust the cervical spine, where the facial nerves connect behind the neck, it can help reduce the pain of cluster headaches.

In addition, chiropractic care often includes manipulation of the soft tissue, massages of joints and muscles, and trigger point therapy. Realigning your spine and reducing muscle tension can relieve stress on the body and mind.

What Additional Lifestyle Modifications Can They Recommend?

During visits to a chiropractor, the practitioner will also review your daily habits and lifestyle to better understand what may be triggering headaches and migraines. They may recommend stretches, exercise, physical therapy, and dietary changes. If you sit at a desk for work, they may also urge you to focus on correcting your posture. 

Your chiropractor may encourage you to drink more water to avoid migraines triggered by dehydration. If you experience headaches caused by jaw clenching or teeth grinding at night, a health care professional may recommend stress relief practices, like meditation. They might also urge you to wear a mouthguard to bed to reduce symptoms.

If you're suffering from headaches, the team at American Health Chiropractic in Milford, OH, can help. Dr. Antonio Crisci has been serving patients throughout Greater Cincinnati for nearly three decades. This facility treats everything from sports and car accident injuries to sciatic pain and headaches. Call (513) 576-6699 to schedule a free consultation. Visit the website to  learn more about their holistic and personalized approach to treating chronic pain.