Don't Let Headaches Hold You Back: When to See a Chiropractor

Most people treat headaches the same way every time. Grab some ibuprofen, drink a glass of water, and wait it out. That approach works fine for the occasional headache. But if you’re reaching for pain relievers several times a week, you’re just managing symptoms without ever addressing the underlying cause.

At Spine Care of Manassas Chiropractic Center in Manassas, Virginia, Lincoln German, DC, CPN, and Mikaela Foley, DC, treat headaches that originate from problems in the neck and spine. If yours keep coming back despite everything you’ve tried, the source might be closer to your shoulders than you think.

The types of headaches chiropractic care treats

Headaches often get grouped together as one umbrella term, but the type you have determines how to treat them. Chiropractic care works particularly well for headaches with a mechanical cause, meaning the neck and spine are directly involved. Common types of headaches include: 

Cervicogenic headaches

Cervicogenic headaches originate from dysfunction in the cervical spine (your neck). The pain starts at the base of your skull and works its way forward, often settling behind one eye or across the forehead.

That pattern is why they are often mistaken for migraines. But cervicogenic headaches tend to worsen with certain neck movements or sustained postures, and neck stiffness almost always accompanies them.

Tension headaches

Tension headaches develop from sustained muscle tightness across your upper back, shoulders, and base of the skull. Around half of all adults experience them, and people who sit at a desk for most of the day are especially prone to them.

The pain is usually a dull, steady pressure that wraps around the forehead or settles at the back of your head.

Migraines

Migraines involve more complex neurological changes than tension or cervicogenic headaches, and typically cause throbbing pain on one side of your head, often accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.

While chiropractic care isn’t a primary treatment for migraines, neck tension, and spinal restrictions can act as triggers. Addressing those contributing factors may help reduce the frequency of episodes.

Chiropractic care for chronic headaches

Dr. German or Dr. Foley examines your spine and head to identify any misalignments or restrictions contributing to your headaches. From there, they use manual adjustments and specialized chiropractic tools to correct them.

Depending on what’s driving your headaches, they may incorporate additional treatments into your care plan, including:

• Postural rehabilitation and rehabilitative exercises
• Myofascial dry needling
• Spinal decompression
• Cold laser therapy
• Massage therapy
• Therapeutic ultrasound
• Electrical stimulation
• Deep breathing exercises, meditation, or yoga

Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers can take the edge off in the short term, but they don’t address the underlying cause of headaches. The goal of treatment at Spine Care of Manassas is to get to the root of the problem so you’re not managing symptoms indefinitely.

When your headaches warrant a closer look

Occasional headaches after a long day or a poor night of sleep don’t necessarily point to a spinal problem. But some patterns suggest the neck is involved and that chiropractic care may offer more lasting relief than medication alone. Consider scheduling an evaluation if your headaches:

• Start at the base of your skull and move forward
• Get worse when you hold your head in a certain position
• Come with neck stiffness or soreness
• Developed or worsened after a car accident or fall
• Keep coming back despite OTC medication

If your headaches fit any of those descriptions, the problem is likely mechanical rather than something medication can fix on its own.

When to seek emergency care

Most recurring headaches aren’t dangerous, but some require immediate attention. Seek emergency care if your headache comes on suddenly and severely, follows a head injury, or is accompanied by fever, confusion, vision changes, or weakness on one side of your body.

For persistent but non-urgent headaches, our team can put together a plan to reduce their frequency. Call Spine Care of Manassas Chiropractic Center at 703-257-6221 or book an appointment online.