What Treatments Can You Expect At A Chiropractic Headache Clinic?
Headaches can really get in the way of your daily life. It's hard to focus on work when your head is pounding. Chances are, you don't want to exercise or move around much, either. Some people get by with pain relievers or ice packs, but if you want a longer-lasting approach that treats headaches at their source, you should instead visit a chiropractic headache clinic. Here are the types of treatments you can expect at such a clinic.
Spinal Manipulation
Spinal manipulation is the central therapeutic technique used in all chiropractic care. But it's a lot more than simply cracking the back, as some people assume. Spinal manipulation means adjusting the vertebrae and where they sit relative to one another. This can be done in a way that creates more space between certain vertebrae, or it can be done to relieve pressure on certain nerves. When you're having treatment for headaches, the chiropractor will usually focus on adjusting the vertebrae in your neck, as impingement and misalignment in this area often causes headaches or make them worse. However, they may also adjust your back since misalignment in the back can lead to issues in the neck and head, too.
Percussive Massage
Chiropractors have been using percussive massage tools with increasing frequency. These tools massage the muscle with quick impulses. Your chiropractor may use one on the base of your neck, along your shoulders, and even down your back. This will free up any muscle adhesions in this area that may be affecting your posture or putting pressure on your nerves, leading to headaches. Percussive massage can be intense and even a little painful at times, but treatment only takes a few minutes and can have a really dramatic effect on neck stiffness and headache pain.
Postural Exercises
Headaches are often caused or made worse by poor posture. For example, if you sit at a desk all day, tipping your head and chin forward can lead to tension in the neck that eventually leads to a headache. A chiropractor can work with you on exercises that retrain you to hold your head differently. They may give you exercises to do throughout the day if you start to feel your posture slipping or affecting you.
A chiropractic headache clinic is a great place to visit if you're struggling with chronic or frequent headache pain. Now, you have a better idea of what to expect once you're there.
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