Can A Chiropractor Help With Headaches?

Chronic headaches can impact your ability to effectively perform regular daily activities. Over-the-counter medications can temporarily relieve pain, but do not treat the underlying cause. Chiropractic treatments get to the root cause of your headaches to provide long-term relief. Dr. Gina Beech, the skilled chiropractor at Bethesda Back Center in Bethesda, MD, treats headaches using a variety of chiropractic methods and techniques.

Types of Headaches

Headaches are not all the same. They can have different causes and symptoms. Types of headaches include:

• Tension — This is the most common type of headache and is often triggered by stress. These headaches generate the sensation of a band tightening around the head.
• Cluster — Cluster headaches are rare, but the most severe and tend to occur in groups. They are associated with piercing pain behind one of the eyes and constant throbbing head pain. 
• Cervicogenic — These are secondary headaches that develop as a result of an underlying condition, such as neck pain. The pain usually starts in the neck and then extends to one side of the face and head.
• Migraines — This type of headache is severe and can be debilitating. Migraines are characterized by persistent pounding or throbbing pain that can persist for many days.

Chiropractic Treatments for Headaches 

We utilize several chiropractic methods and techniques for treating and managing headaches at our office in Bethesda, MD. Methods include electrical stimulation, manual therapy, and rehabilitation. Manual therapy is one of the most commonly used chiropractic techniques for treating headaches. It involves manipulation of the spine, muscles, tissues, ligaments, and nerves to ensure the body is in proper alignment. 

One reason headaches sometimes occur is because the body is out of alignment. Pinched nerves, muscle tension, and other alignment issues can trigger headaches. Manual therapy is extremely effective in reducing headaches due to alignment issues, particularly cervicogenic and tension headaches. In addition to correcting alignment, manual therapy also reduces swelling, improves joint mobility, and increases food flow, which helps reduce headaches.

Finally, as part of treatment, our chiropractor also provides recommendations for specific lifestyle changes that can reduce the occurrence and severity of headaches. For instance, using ergonomic equipment to improve posture helps reduce muscle tension and inflammation, which can decrease the frequency and severity of headaches.

There are several ways a chiropractor can help with headaches, including reducing the frequency and severity of them. For the treatment of headaches in Bethesda, MD, schedule an appointment with Dr. Beech by calling Bethesda Back Center at (301) 897-8500.