8 Warning Signs You Should See a Chiropractor for Chronic Headaches

Chronic headaches affect about 39 million Americans and 1 billion people worldwide. They can make you feel trapped in a constant discomfort that disrupts daily activities, whether it's the throbbing pain that strikes at inopportune moments or the continuous ache that hangs in the background.

While traditional treatment approaches often involve medications to manage pain, one promising option works miracles: chiropractic care. Rather than just providing temporary relief, a chiropractor addresses the underlying causes of headaches, offering more lasting relief and improved well-being.

In this blog, we’ll discuss the eight warning signs that indicate it's time to see a chiropractor for chronic headaches.

Understanding Chronic Headaches

Chronic headaches are persistent headaches that occur at least 15 days a month for three months or more. They can seriously affect your daily life and overall well-being. Several types of headaches can become chronic, each with unique characteristics and potential causes.

• Tension Headaches: These headaches often come as dull, aching pains around the forehead or the back of the head caused by neck and shoulder tension. They are also usually caused by stress, muscle tension, or poor posture. 
• Migraines: These are intense, throbbing pain on one side of your head, possibly with nausea, vomiting, and light sensitivity. These headaches can be triggered by stress, hormonal changes, certain foods, and environmental factors. 
• Cervicogenic Headaches: These headaches originate in the neck and are often caused by problems with the cervical spine, such as misalignment or muscle tension. They can be accompanied by neck pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion. 

Chiropractic care can help by straightening your spine, fixing your posture, and relaxing tense muscles. It's important to recognize chronic headache warning signs early so you can seek early chiropractic treatment.

Warning Sign #1: Persistent or Recurring Headaches

Seek professional help if you experience headaches that keep coming back or last for extended periods, be it daily, weekly, or at other intervals. Persistent and recurring headaches are common symptoms of underlying health issues, including those related to the spine and nervous system.

Ignoring persistent or recurring headaches can lead to more severe problems over time. These headaches might worsen, becoming more frequent, intense, or debilitating. By seeking chiropractic care early, you can better manage the headaches, prevent their progression, and identify their underlying causes. 

Warning Sign #2: Headaches Accompanied by Neck Pain

If you experience headaches and neck pain, it could be due to tight muscles or misaligned bones in your cervical spine. This part of your spine supports your head and allows for movement. It can pinch nerves when it gets out of alignment, leading to neck pain and headaches.

Chiropractic adjustments can help by realigning your cervical spine to its proper position. This can relieve nerve pressure and loosen tight muscles, often reducing neck pain and headaches. 

Warning Sign #3: Frequent Tension or Cluster Headaches

Tension headaches can feel like a tight band is squeezing your head. Things that can trigger these headaches include the following:

• Stress: Worry or anxiety can make your neck and shoulder muscles tense up, causing headaches.
• Poor Posture: Standing or sitting in an awkward posture for too long can strain your neck and upper back, leading to headaches. 
• Lack of Sleep: Not getting adequate quality sleep makes headaches worse. 

On the other hand, cluster headaches are less common but very painful. They usually come in patterns, with severe pain around one eye or on one side of your head. You may also have redness or tearing in the eye and a stuffy nose. Triggers for these headaches include the following:

• Alcohol: Drinking alcohol can start an attack, especially during a cluster period.
• Foods: Some foods or additives might trigger these headaches, such as nitrates and nitrites found in bacon, sausage, and other processed meats.
• Stress: Stress might contribute to cluster headaches, though it’s not as strong of a trigger as it is for tension headaches.

A chiropractor for chronic headaches can help improve posture to ease and prevent tension and cluster headaches. They can gently adjust your neck to reduce muscle tension and alleviate neck and upper back strain. 

Warning Sign #4: Limited Range of Motion in the Neck

Keeping your neck flexible is vital for overall good health. When your neck can move freely, it helps avoid stiffness and nerve issues. You might experience muscle tightness and chronic headaches if your neck movement is limited. This can lead to tension headaches and, in some cases, even trigger migraines.

The benefits of chiropractic care in managing and alleviating chronic headaches include reducing muscle stiffness, boosting blood flow, and realigning your neck to restore its full range of motion.

Warning Sign #5: Headaches Triggered by Poor Posture

Headaches can frequently signal poor posture. Sitting slouching or hunching over for extended periods strains your neck and back muscles more. This additional strain can trigger chronic headaches. 

Chiropractic care can assist by adjusting your spine to ease muscle strain and offering advice on proper posture. Additionally, a chiropractor can guide you in setting up your workspace to avoid poor posture and prevent future headaches. 

Warning Sign #6: Headaches Following a Traumatic Event

After a car accident, a fall, or other mishaps, you might experience whiplash or other injuries that can lead to chronic headaches. These headaches often result from neck and spine strain, causing pain, swelling, discomfort, and disrupting your body's function.

Promptly seek chiropractic care following an accident. Chiropractors can identify and address injuries that contribute to your headaches. Early chiropractic treatment helps prevent long-term issues and facilitates a smooth and swift recovery. 

Warning Sign #7: Migraines Resistant to Medication

When you’re dealing with migraines, there are times when medication doesn’t seem to help. Headache medications often have side effects like dizziness and nausea, and using them too frequently can worsen your condition.

Chiropractic care offers a drug-free option by aligning your spine to ease muscle tension and potentially reduce migraines. This treatment benefits you more if you have tried medications without success or are looking for a more natural alternative. 

Warning Sign #8: Nervous System Symptoms

Headaches accompanied by numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arms or legs may indicate underlying nerve issues. Since the spine safeguards the spinal cord, which manages various bodily functions, spinal misalignment can press on nerves and cause these symptoms, including headaches.

Chiropractic care for chronic headaches helps correct spinal misalignments, reduce pressure on nerves, and improve overall nervous system health. Chiropractors can also use massage and mobilization techniques to help reduce inflammation and enhance blood flow, easing headaches and other related symptoms.

Takeaway

Discovering the early warning signs of chronic headaches—such as frequent pain, severe or worsening symptoms, numbness, neck pain, and limited range of motion around the neck—can help prevent more severe issues. Chiropractic care can help manage these headaches. It offers a natural and drug-free approach by addressing spinal misalignment, muscle tension, and nervous system issues. 

Don’t wait; seek a chiropractor for chronic headaches at North East Chiropractic Center! Our team will identify misalignments in your spine, offer targeted treatments, and provide lifestyle advice for lasting relief.

Book a consultation today!