Headaches are among the most common head conditions that a chiropractor can care for. It is now recognized that most headaches originate with the muscles, joints and other structures in the neck and shoulders. When aggravated, they cause pain to travel to the head; the result is a headache. Research shows that chiropractic care is effective in reducing the frequency, duration and intensity of headaches.
Chiropractors can diagnose the type of headache you have and determine an appropriate management plan. Chiropractic care may include adjustments, physiotherapeutic modalities, such as ultrasound, and soft tissue therapy, such as massage. Remember that in rare cases, headaches may be a sign of something more serious, so it's important to have your headache diagnosed. Whether you've just started experiencing head pain or it's been affecting you for some time, see your chiropractor.
If you have headaches that don't just hurt your head, but also involve pain or lack of movement in your neck, you may be experiencing myogenic headaches. Myogenic headaches are one of two kinds of headaches that originate in the neck, the other being vertebrogenic. (When strained or irritated neck muscles cause the pain, the headaches are myogenic. When dysfunctional or irritated vertebrae cause the pain, the headaches are vertebrogenic.)
People with myogenic headaches often feel mild to severe discomfort or pain on one side of their head, although this pain can occur on both sides. The pain usually starts in the neck but can also start in tight muscles at the back of the head and even in muscles that work the jaw. From either of these places, the pain can spread to the temples and possibly a combination of the ears, eyes and top of the head.
The pain of a myogenic headache can be severe, although it is rarely accompanied by extreme migraine symptoms such as nausea or sensitivity to light and sound. The duration of pain varies from episode to episode and can last anywhere from a few hours to a couple of weeks.
If you have a myogenic headache, you may find that awkward or uncomfortable postures and certain neck movements, like turning or bending, can make the pain worse. The muscles around your neck may also be tight and abnormally tender, and your neck may resist certain movements and be unable to move through its normal range of motion.
Because neck muscle stiffness or tightness can lead to myogenic headaches, a variety of events that affect the neck can cause the condition. These include trauma to the head and neck from injuries such as whiplash; poor posture, which increases stress on muscles; and occupational or recreational stresses, such as extended phone use and other activities that keep the neck in awkward positions for prolonged periods.
Your chiropractor can alleviate myogenic headaches once he or she determines which muscles are causing them. By focusing on releasing the tension in these muscles, your chiropractor can reduce the frequency, duration and intensity of your headaches.
