Headaches | SF
· We safely and effectively treat Headaches in San Francisco with a number of safe and effective techniques. Most of us have experienced the throbbing or stabbing pain of a headache. There are many types of headaches and the exact cause can be complex. Causes range from muscle tension, jaw clenching, and food sensitivities to poor posture and automobile accidents. Determining the type of headache/cause is key to proper treatment.
A great wind is blowing, and that gives you either imagination or a headache.
~Catherine the Great
Headaches | San Francisco
Headaches are not normal. Recurring headaches are a sign that something is wrong and should not be ignored. Aspirin, ibuprofen and other medications may temporarily mask the symptoms but they do nothing to correct the source of the problem. As long as the problem remains the pain will continue to come back.
Headaches come from many sources. Muscle tension is by far the most common cause. However, dehydration, clenching your jaw, and migraines are also very common causes. Migraines are often triggered by food sensitivities while muscle tension headaches are frequently related to poor posture.
Vertebrogenic Headaches are caused by problems with the joints in the cervical spine. These headaches may be felt in the back, sides and front of the head or in the front of the face or neck. Chronic irritation of the nerve roots between the vertebrae can be caused by changes to the normal curvature of the cervical spine caused by trauma, degenerative arthritis or poor posture. The onset of pain is often acute and may also cause muscle contractions in the neck that can often trigger tension headaches as well.
Pain is the body’s way of alerting us that something is wrong. It is unwise to ignore these signals and treat just the symptoms.
Chiropractic for Headaches | SF
A Doctor of Chiropractic is highly experienced in finding the causes of the headaches as well as relieving the immediate pain. They can determine whether the pain is due to a physical or structural problem and correct it. In most cases a series of spinal adjustments to return misaligned vertebrae to their normal position can relieve pressure on the irritated nerve roots.
Therapeutic massage can help to relax tight muscles which contribute to muscle tension headaches. Craniosacral Therapy often provides extended periods of relief for more complex and hard to treat headaches. Relaxation exercises and lifestyle changes may be suggested to avoid future headaches.
Medical management of headaches usually involves some type of medication that can result in unwanted side effects or dependencies. Chiropractic offers a natural and safe approach to relieving and preventing future headaches.
Our team works with patients to determine the ultimate cause of their pain. We recommend workstation improvements and gentle stretches to help relieve stress on the neck. We also address possible food triggers and sensitivities. Supplementation is appropriate in some cases, and when the TMJ is involved a bite-guard may be needed.