Headache Treatment In West Hartford, CT
Believe it or not, headaches are one of the more common complaints we treat at Westside Chiropractic. Headaches are widespread and can be very debilitating. Read on to learn more about our approach and treatment plan.
It’s important first to know that there are many types of headaches. These include cervicogenic headaches (coming from the neck), migraines, tension headaches, or even TMJ headaches resulting from pain in the jaw (TMJ). Headache triggers include poor posture, stress, hormones, and blood pressure issues. Whatever the cause, headaches have the potential to significantly impact your life and happiness, making it difficult to go about your day and concentrate on anything but pain.
Causes of Headaches
The first goal in treating headaches is to discover the underlying cause and why you keep experiencing them. Since different headaches have very different sources, it’s essential to understand which type you’re dealing with so you can have the correct treatment. The proper treatment for headaches is often a combination of physical correction and addressing the mental/emotional causes.
How We Treat Headaches in West Hartford, CT
Comprehensive Consultation and Examination
At Westside Chiropractic , our consultation and examination focus on finding the specific cause of your headaches. We will take a thorough history of your headaches but also look at your daily life and history to attain a complete picture of your health and the causes of your pain. While doing so, we collect knowledge of your current state of health and function to determine why your headaches are so persistent. Once we have gained enough information about you and your pain, we can answer every patient’s question: What’s wrong? How can we help? How long will it take to get better?
Specific Chiropractic Care in West Hartford, CT
Once we have determined the cause of your headaches and created your custom treatment plan, our next step is to start helping you get better! Our treatment methods involve a combination of therapies to help improve your overall function. Each therapy is designed to help you regain strength, mobility, balance, and alignment.
Our chiropractic adjustments help restore the mobility of the joints in your spine. In cases of headache pain, many neck and upper back joints become stiff and lose their normal range of motion. As chiropractors, our goal is to locate these areas of restriction and restore their proper mobility with the adjustment.
Corrective Exercise
In combination with the adjustments comes your personalized exercise instruction. Our office teaches specific treatment protocols for headache pain to correct the dysfunction that contributes to the problem. Our system typically begins with ergonomics correction, stretches, and mobility drills. As you progress and improve, we build you further with strengthening exercises to help improve your stability. The goal for your care is not a temporary fix but one that will give you long-lasting relief that prevents future issues. Our focused exercise protocols will help you get there.
Muscle Therapy
Sometimes people have more intense muscle spasms and adhesions that limit movement and trigger discomfort. The head, upper neck, or jaw muscles are often involved with headaches. In these cases, we also offer therapies to help reduce pain and loosen those tight muscles. These therapies include muscle stimulation therapies and myofascial techniques to help release muscles that are stiffening up. Combining these techniques will help you improve your motion and help keep your joints moving better.
Common Types of Headaches
Cervicogenic Headache
Cervicogenic headaches are a type of headache that originates from the cervical spine (neck). The term "cervicogenic" refers to the fact that the pain is generated from structures in the neck and can refer pain to other areas of the head.
These headaches typically occur due to underlying issues in the cervical spine, such as joint dysfunction, muscle tension, or nerve irritation. The pain associated with cervicogenic headaches is often one-sided and can be described as a dull, aching sensation. It may start in the neck and radiate to the back of the head, temples, forehead, or behind the eyes.
Common causes or contributing factors of cervicogenic headaches include:
Neck injuries or trauma, such as whiplash from a car accident.
Poor posture, especially prolonged forward head posture or rounded shoulders.
Degenerative changes in the cervical spine, such as arthritis or herniated discs.
Muscle imbalances or excessive muscle tension in the neck and upper back.
Inflammation or irritation of the cervical nerves.
Structural abnormalities or malformations in the cervical spine.
Treatment for cervicogenic headaches often involves addressing the underlying neck and cervical spine issues. This can include a combination of:
Chiropractic adjustments
Exercises and stretches to improve neck posture, strength, and mobility
Massage to release muscle tension and promote relaxation
Posture correction
Heat or cold therapy
Migraines
Migraines are a complex condition involving genetic, environmental, and neurological factors. They are typically accompanied by other symptoms, such as sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and sometimes vomiting. Migraines can significantly impact daily life and may require medical management.
Migraine pain is intense, throbbing, or pulsating on one side of the head. It tends to worsen with physical activity and can last for hours to several days. A unique characteristic of a migraine attack is an aura, a visual disturbance like flashing lights or blind spots before or during a migraine.
Migraines can be triggered by various factors, including stress, hormonal changes (such as during menstruation), certain foods or drinks (like chocolate, caffeine, or alcohol), lack of sleep, changes in weather, and strong odors. Lifestyle changes to avoid triggers and chiropractic care to restore balance to the nervous system are excellent natural migraine remedies.
Tension Headache
Tension headaches are the most common type of headache experienced by individuals. They are typically characterized by mild to moderate, dull, or pressure-like pain that can affect both sides of the head. Tension headaches often feel like a tight band or pressure around the head or neck.
Various factors can trigger or worsen tension headaches, including stress, anxiety, poor posture, prolonged computer or smartphone use, muscle tension in the head or neck, and lack of sleep. Chiropractic care is excellent for tension headache relief as it can relieve stress, correct posture, reduce muscle tension, and improve nerve function for more regular and deep sleep.
TMJ Headache
TMJ headaches, also known as temporomandibular joint headaches, refer to headaches that are associated with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders or dysfunction. The TMJ is the joint that connects the jawbone to the skull, and when it is affected, it can cause various symptoms, including headaches.
TMJ headaches typically involve pain in the temples, jaw, or around the ears. The pain can be on one or both sides of the head and may radiate to the neck and shoulders. They are often accompanied by other symptoms related to the jaw joint, such as jaw pain, stiffness, clicking or popping sounds when opening or closing the mouth, difficulty chewing or talking, and a feeling of the jaw being locked or stuck.
TMJ headaches can result from various causes, including jaw misalignment, muscle tension or spasms in the jaw and surrounding muscles, injury or trauma to the jaw joint, arthritis, or excessive stress and tension in the jaw area. Addressing the underlying joint dysfunction will help relieve this headache pain.
Check Out Our Locations Near You
Westside Chiropractic
557 Prospect Ave.
West Hartford, CT, 06105
Phone:
860-523-5833
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a chiropractor in West Hartford, CT good for headaches?
Yes! At Chiropractic & Sports Health, we’re focused on addressing the underlying cause of your pain so that we can provide long-lasting relief. Pain relievers and muscle relaxers may offer temporary relief, but they don’t address the underlying structural issues at play.
When should I see a chiropractor for headaches?
Pain is our body’s alarm system, telling us something is malfunctioning. Addressing only the pain is like turning off the alarm but not putting out the fire. Eventually, the alarm will go off again. At the onset of any pain, it’s vital to seek out an assessment to ensure that the problem doesn’t get worse, more entrenched, and more difficult to fix.
What is a natural way to relieve tension headaches?
Chiropractic care is an all-natural, non-invasive solution for headaches. It addresses the underlying structural issues that cause muscle tension leading to tension headaches. Addressing spinal structure can improve nerve flow and restore balance and mobility to your musculature. All without the need for muscle relaxers or pain medication.
How can I relieve my headaches?
Chiropractic adjustments can relieve tension within the spinal cord and nerve pressure that results in pain and dysfunction. Custom exercises can improve muscle strength to stabilize proper spinal structure and ease muscle tension and imbalance that can lead to tension headaches.