What Causes Headaches/Migraines?

There are a wide range of contributing factors that can lead to headaches/migraines.

Potential contributing factors of headaches and migraines include but are not limited to:

• Poor Posture
• Dehydration
• Hormone Fluctuations
• Concussions
• Allergies
• Neck Injuries/Tensions
• Lack of Sleep
• Tight muscles
• Stress
• High Blood Pressure

Often, there are a combination of factors causing pain. More significant health conditions may also contribute to headaches and needs to be diagnosed appropriately in order to ensure good patient outcomes. However, most causes are manageable with lifestyle changes and manual therapies offered here at CSMC, as one of the most common causes of headache and migraine coming from neck tension.

Our doctors work hard to determine these factors and come up with individualized treatment plans to reduce your pain as quickly as possible. Reducing these factors also helps to decrease the risk of future flare-ups or additional problems from developing.

How are Headaches/Migraines Diagnosed?

At CSMC, your first visit will start with a consultation and physical exam in order to determine which tissue/structure is causing your pain, how severe the condition is, what is causing the problem, and any contributing factors that may increase your symptoms.

This involves discussing your symptoms, when they are at their worst, the impact it is having on your life and putting together a set of treatment goals you would like to accomplish (examples: picking up kids or sleeping without pain). It is important to bring any previous medical notes or images for the doctor to review and take into consideration for your case.

Next, a physical exam will be performed, physical exams typically consist of:

• Neurological Evaluation
• Orthopedic Testing
• Postural Assessment
• Chiropractic Evaluation
• Functional Assessment
• Range of Motion Measurements
• Referral to Imaging/Advanced Diagnostic Testing (When Necessary)
• Radiographic Biomechanical Analysis (When Necessary)

These tests may aggravate your symptoms, so let your doctor know what you are feeling.

For imaging and additional testing, CSMC coordinates referrals to specialty radiologists as needed.

What Headache/Migraine Treatments are Available?

CSMC takes a customized, comprehensive approach to care for all types of headaches. Your doctor may recommend one or more of the following treatments to address your headaches/migraines:

• Various Chiropractic Adjustment Techniques
  • Based on Preference/Condition
• Decompression Therapy
• Physiotherapy
• Ergonomic Training
• Supplement Options
• Massage Therapy
• Postural Correction
• Dietary/Lifestyle Recommendations

These therapies may be recommended individually or together to relieve your pain, improve your range of motion, strengthen your neck, improve posture and/or stabilize your condition depending on your needs.

For more severe/complicated cases, our doctors may decide to co-manage with another specialist to get a second opinion or additional treatments, such as medications, injections or surgery (last resort). In these cases, our doctors will communicate with all specialists involved to ensure all your doctors are on the same page, while providing therapies to help speed up your recovery process when appropriate.

You can find the help you need at CSMC. Book your appointment today.

Are stress related migraines effectively treated with chiropractic adjustment?

Migraines can be the result of long stress-filled days or the buildup of chronic stress in the neck. Chiropractic adjustments can effectively reduce stress by repositioning the muscles and bones of the cranium and neck, increasing blood flow to the area and allowing tension within the muscles to gradually fade away. With repeated adjustments, the muscles and connective tissue are better able to resist the inflammation and tightening of the tissues. Maintaining sufficient blood flow to areas within the brain is essential if the goal is to reduce the risk of a migraine. Regular chiropractic adjustments can be used to maintain a natural balance that actually reduces the frequency of a migraine.

Are migraines treated in the same way as headaches?

Migraines are not treated in the same way as a headache. A headache normally only lasts for a few hours and rarely returns in the same place or with the same intensity. Migraines, on the other hand, are triggered by specific types of stimuli. They can often be predicted days in advance. The pain is significant and is often very intense causing sensitivity to light and motion. Once a person takes a pain reliever for a headache, the pain will eventually respond to the treatment. Migraine pain does not respond well to normal headache treatments. In fact, most types of migraine pain must run their course with very few treatments bringing any type of relief.