Introduction
Headaches are a very common condition. Headaches can cause pain in the head, face, and neck. There are several different types and causes of headaches. Traditionally, medication has been used to treat headaches. Recent studies indicate that long-term chiropractic treatment can be a helpful alternative for relieving headache symptoms.
Chiropractic treatment is most frequently used to treat tension headaches and headaches related to joint and muscle problems in the neck. Tight muscles in the neck and scalp cause tension headaches. Tense muscles may be caused by stress, cold temperature, or remaining in the same position for a while, such as while working at a desk or computer. Joint and muscle disorders in the neck, such as from arthritis, aging, or injury, can contribute to postural imbalances that lead to neck strain and headache.
Treatment
After your doctor has diagnosed the cause of your headaches, there may be several types of chiropractic treatments that can help relieve your symptoms. Chiropractic adjustments, massage, exercise, acupuncture, or a combination of treatments may help. Your chiropractor will use his or her hands or special tools to provide gentle joint mobilization and adjustments. Massage is used to relieve muscle tension. Your chiropractor can teach you stretching and strengthening exercises. Finally, acupuncture has been found to relieve headache pain for some people.
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This information is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of an individual consultation or examination or replace the advice of your health care professional and should not be relied upon to determine diagnosis or course of treatment.
The iHealthSpot patient education library was written collaboratively by the iHealthSpot editorial team which includes Senior Medical Author
Dr. Mary Car-Blanchard, OTD/OTR/L and the following editorial advisors: Steve Meadows, MD, Ernie F. Soto, DDS, Ronald J. Glatzer, MD,
Jonathan Rosenberg, MD, Christopher M. Nolte, MD, David Applebaum, MD, Jonathan M. Tarrash, MD, and Paula Soto, RN/BSN. The library
commenced development on September 1, 2005 with the latest update/addition on 4-27-2010.