Care for Headaches and Migraines at Westheights Chiropractic
Headaches and migraines often drive people to seek chiropractic care due to their severe impact on daily life. These can be more than painful; they can be debilitating. People experiencing headaches or migraines often report throbbing or pulsating pain, sensitivity to light and sound, and sometimes nausea or visual disturbances.
According to Statistics Canada, 59% of Canadian adults experience some type of headache. Migraine Canada estimated that 12% of Canadians (or 4.5 million people) live with migraines.
Common Causes of Headaches and Migraines
Several factors can trigger headaches and migraines. These include the following:
- Occupational Stress: Individuals who sit at desks all day, staring at computer screens, or those engaged in repetitive tasks such as looking up or over-the-shoulder work often develop tension headaches.
- Poor Posture: Spending extended periods in poor postural positions can lead to muscle tension in the neck and shoulders, which can cause headaches.
- Emotional and Mental Stress: High levels of stress can cause muscle contraction and tension in the neck, putting pressure on nerves and leading to headaches.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help
Chiropractic care offers a natural and effective way to manage and reduce headaches and migraines. Dr. Ryan and Dr. Aaron focus on identifying and correcting structural misalignments in the spine that may contribute to these conditions.
Techniques Used in Chiropractic Care
- Chiropractic Adjustments: By delivering specific adjustments to areas of the neck or base of the skull, we can help restore normal motion and position to the spine. This reduces pressure on nerves and decreases inflammation, improving blood supply to the head and reducing headache frequency and intensity.
- Lifestyle Recommendations: We advise practice members to set a timer to remind them to get up and move every 20-30 minutes, breaking up prolonged periods of poor posture. Simple neck rotation exercises can also help alleviate tension.
- Co-Management with Massage Therapy: Although we don’t offer massage therapy in our office, we refer practice members to trusted massage therapists. Massage can help reduce muscle tension and complement chiropractic care.
What Practice Members Can Expect
When a new practice member visits our office with a headache or migraine concern, we follow a thorough and personalized process:
One of our chiropractic assistants conducts a complete history to understand the person’s condition.
Dr. Ryan or Dr. Aaron will perform a full spine assessment, looking for subluxations (misalignments) that may be causing tension and stress on the nerves. We also use surface electromyography to assess muscle function, thermal imaging to detect inflammation, and heart rate variability to evaluate the nervous system’s stress response.
Based on the findings, the chiropractor will develop a customized treatment plan. If the root cause of the headaches is not related to spinal misalignments, we will refer the practice member to another specialist for appropriate care.
Achieving Relief and Preventing Recurrence
Headache and migraine sufferers often find significant relief through chiropractic care. Many people wish they had tried chiropractic treatment sooner, as it frequently provides better results than other methods they have attempted. We use a variety of techniques tailored to each practice member’s needs:
- Diversified Technique: Manual adjustments that produce the characteristic popping and crackling sounds.
- Thompson Technique: Utilizes drop tables for a less aggressive adjustment.
- Activator Method: Employs a handheld instrument for gentle adjustments, ideal for older individuals or those with arthritic changes in their spine.
Stop the Pounding & Start the Healing
If you or someone you know suffers from headaches or migraines, don’t wait to seek help. Chiropractic care offers a natural, non-invasive solution that can provide lasting relief. Contact Westheights Chiropractic today to schedule your initial consultation and take the first step toward a pain-free life.
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