Headaches & Migraines Specialist

What causes headaches and migraines?

Headaches are categorized as either primary or secondary, depending on the underlying cause:

Primary headaches

Primary headaches originate in your head and neck due to problems in muscles, nerves, and blood vessels. Tension headaches, migraines, and cluster headaches are three of the most common primary headaches.

Secondary headaches

These headaches develop due to an underlying health problem. For example, sinus congestion, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, spine conditions, and concussions can cause secondary headaches.

What symptoms do headaches and migraines cause?

Though all headaches cause pain, the duration, location, and severity of the pain depend on the type of headache. These are the symptoms of the three top primary headaches:

Tension headaches

Tension headaches cause a dull, aching pain on both sides of your head. The mild to moderate pain feels like a band of pressure across your forehead or on the sides and back of your head.

Cluster headaches

These headaches cause an intense pain that’s described as sharp, burning, and stabbing. The pain of a cluster headache occurs behind or around one eye. Their name comes from the fact that these headaches appear in clusters. You may have 1-8 intense headaches daily for months. Then they go into remission for a time before recurring.

Migraine headaches

Migraines are known for causing severe, throbbing pain that’s accompanied by bodywide symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, and sensitivity to lights. These headaches begin around one temple and may stay on one side of your head or affect both sides.

Migraine headaches last at least four hours and may continue for three days. They begin when something triggers abnormal nerve activity. Though there are many possible triggers, some of the most common include:

• Stress
• Lack of sleep
• Skipping meals
• Drinking alcohol
• Changes in weather
• Strong odors
• Certain foods and beverages

Cheese, chocolate, caffeine, processed meats, and artificial sweeteners are a few examples of foods and beverages that trigger migraines.

How do chiropractors treat headaches and migraines?

Problems in your neck, among them misaligned vertebrae, herniated discs, tight muscles, or other conditions, commonly pinch the nerves associated with headaches. Casa Grande Chiropractic uses gentle spinal manipulation to restore alignment, take pressure off the nerves, and relieve the pain.

Many other chiropractic techniques also treat headaches and migraines. For example, your provider may recommend therapeutic massage, trigger point therapy, electrical stimulation, and ergonomic or postural changes.

To learn how chiropractic care can relieve your headaches and migraines, call Casa Grande Chiropractic or book an appointment online today.