Why do I have headaches?
Headaches can come from a variety of different triggers. One of the most common triggers is from cervicogenic headaches. This happens when joints are irritated, muscles are tight or nerves get impinged. Other causes include food sensitivities and dehydration.
Most headaches are very treatable. Patients oftentimes worry that there may be something much more serious causing their headaches. This is rarely the case and we will do a comprehensive exam to make sure there are not other potential causes for headache pain.
Some of the reasons you may be experiencing headaches include:
- Poor posture while working on a computer
- Prior trauma to your neck including whiplash injuries
- Jaw problems and TMJ pain
- Sleeping positions
- Skiing or biking accidents
- Poor nutrition or dehydration
One of the most common reasons for headache pain we see at Whitefish Chiropractic is tension on the nerves in the upper part of your neck. A nerve called the greater occipital nerve can be entrapped in a group of muscles called the suboccipitals. One of those muscles also has attachments to your spinal dura which can put tension on this tissue which is the covering of your spinal cord.
Those who visit our Whitefish Chiropractic offices are commonly experiencing one or more of the following headache symptoms:
- One sided throbbing headache pain that can be severe in intensity
- Constant pain along the forehead that can last several days
- Headaches that are present after physical exertion
- Headache pain that does not respond to medication
- Pain that is aggravated by bright lights or screen time
- Symptoms that come on after sitting at a computer during the day
- Headaches when you wake up in the morning
We will create a specialized wellness plan that’s unique for you, keeping in mind your comfort level, ability, lifestyle, and health goals. Our techniques are natural, non-invasive, and nurture respect for the body.
Our common solutions to headache pain
Most of our headache patients have received other treatments that have not resolved their pain including medications. If the medications were not effective, there is a strong probability that they may be related to cervical spine dysfunction that is a main cause of headaches. Headaches that are caused by your cervical spine do not respond well to medications typically. Our doctors can also help out with lifestyle advice and some supplements that can be helpful to relieve headaches
Chiropractic adjustments to treat headaches
Spinal manipulations can help reduce stress on parts of the neck that are causing pain. We will perform controlled, high velocity, low amplitude thrusts on the spinal joints that are restricted, bringing it back to its fully-functioning position. This allows the spine to support the body in its most natural state.
Active Release Technique (ART) to treat headaches
This is one of the most common techniques we use to relieve headache pain. The doctors at Whitefish Chiropractic can use this technique to very gently take tension off these muscles and the nerves. Several of our patients respond well to this technique and don’t require spinal manipulations to relieve their headache pain. Being the only trained providers in the Flathead Valley, this is one of our treatments that you won’t find at other chiropractic offices.
Dry needling to treat headaches
Using thin needles, our chiropractors can safely and accurately penetrate the skin in areas that will lead to muscle rehabilitation. This solution works to manage neuromusculoskeletal discomfort and provide flexibility, mobility, and range of motion.
Home-based rehabilitation for headache relief
To aid patients in their wellness goals, we offer various exercises and stretches that support our in-office treatments. We have easy to perform exercises that will stretch the tight muscles and can also strengthen your spine to prevent the headaches from returning.
The doctors at Whitefish Chiropractic will send you home with printed exercises and will email your home care program to make it easy to perform. Our app has videos to demonstrate the exercises and will also help you track your progress.
Our personal experience with headache pain
This is one of our passions at this office, because we have been there. Dr. Wigness suffered from severe migraines when growing up. The severity of the pain would send him to the hospital for pain relieving injections. This would help temporarily but the headaches kept coming back. After three years of trying to find solutions and several medications, he sought out chiropractic care for help. After three treatments, he was headache free for months. This inspired him to become a chiropractor to help people who are suffering as he had been. As he continued his chiropractic path he was also able to find other techniques such as Active Release, which not only helped relieve pain even faster but also kept the symptoms from returning.
Whitefish Chiropractic, here to help with your headache pain
Pain causes more than physical problems but can lead to mental and emotional stress as well. Don’t let it run your life. Headaches can be debilitating and can have a negative impact on other aspects of your life. It is hard to be present and patient while at work or with loved ones when you are suffering from headaches. It is sometimes hard for people to understand the severity of your symptoms if they have not experienced them.
Don’t let your headaches get in the way of you enjoying your life. Call our office today to get started on your path to a headache-free life.
Testimonials
We work with headaches on a daily basis. Please read what some of our patients have to say about the treatment they’ve received from us.
“Dr. Mike is the best!!! His dry needling has relieved me of so much pain and has changed my life for the better!” – Betsy H. // Kalispell, MT
“After having bad Chiropractor experience, I finally found a doctor that knows what he’s doing and is caring & compassionate! Dr. Wigness was wonderful at finding my problems and went right to work on those areas. He gave me info so that I can continue to work on these areas at home. I’m looking forward to my next appointment & THANKFUL I’ve FOUND a Chiropractor I can trust!” – Thalia D. // Kalispell, MT