Relieve Your Headaches and Neck Pain Naturally

Find natural relief for your headaches and neck pain with chiropractic care

Chiropractic care targets the underlying issues that cause headaches, providing effective and lasting relief without relying on medication.

Your posture can cause your headaches and neck pain

Upper crossed syndrome is a postural imbalance that commonly affects individuals who spend long hours sitting and working at a desk. It is characterized by tightness in the muscles at the front of the chest (pectoral muscles) and upper back (levator scapulae and upper trapezius muscles), along with weakness in the muscles at the back of the neck (deep cervical flexors) and mid-back (lower trapezius and serratus anterior muscles).  This condition can contribute to headaches and neck pain due to the strain placed on the neck and shoulder muscles. The tightness in the front of the chest pulls the shoulders forward, causing an increased curvature in the upper spine. As a result, this puts excessive stress on the joints, ligaments, and muscles in these areas, leading to discomfort.

How chiropractic care addresses the root dysfunction

Chiropractic care plays a crucial role in addressing upper crossed syndrome to reduce discomfort and improve overall well-being. Every initial intake includes an assessment of postural imbalances and spinal misalignments or muscle imbalances contributing to this condition. Then I use gentle adjustments to correct these misalignments, relieving pressure on affected structures.  In addition to adjustments, we recommend specific exercises that target weakened or tight muscles involved in upper crossed syndrome. These exercises help restore balance between opposing muscle groups, relieve tension, and improve posture.  Furthermore, you receive valuable education on ergonomics and proper body mechanics for prolonged periods sitting at desks or using computers.  Regular chiropractic visits can help manage symptoms effectively while promoting better posture habits for long-term health benefits.

Research-backed effectiveness

Numerous studies have shown positive outcomes for the effectiveness of chiropractic care for headaches.  Chiropractic care focuses on the alignment and manipulation of the spine, which can help alleviate tension in the neck and reduce headache frequency and intensity.

• •   2014 in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that chiropractic spinal adjustments were effective in reducing both the frequency and intensity of chronic tension-type headaches.
  • 2017 in The European Journal of Pain showed that chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy was more effective than medication for reducing migraine frequency and disability.
  • 2019 systemic review by The Cochrane Library concluded that manual therapy, including spinal manipulation provided by chiropractors, may be beneficial for people with migraines or tension-type headaches.

The role of trigger points in headaches

It is important to understand the connection between trigger points in muscles and the occurrence of referred pain, which often manifests as debilitating headaches. Trigger points are hyperirritable spots within a muscle that can cause pain and discomfort in other areas of the body.  In the case of headaches, these trigger points can be found in various muscles of the neck, shoulders, and upper back.

By addressing underlying muscular issues through targeted techniques, chiropractic care aims not only to provide immediate relief from headaches but also long-term management strategies for ongoing comfort.  So if you are seeking a natural approach to managing your headaches by addressing their root cause rather than simply relying on temporary symptom relief methods like painkillers or over-the-counter medications, exploring chiropractic care is your solution.  Schedule an appointment today for an evaluation and comprehensive movement recipe, prescribed just for you!