Headaches are common but they’re not normal.

 

About 5% of headaches are a response to an external problem such as a fever, infection or hangover.

 

The other 95%? These are known as ‘primary headaches’ and are often caused by tense muscles, irritated nerves and poor posture.

 

A chiropractor can help you manage these issues. Massage, spinal manipulation and adjustments, lifestyle improvements, postural correction and ergonomic advice can all help to relieve the distress of headaches and migraines.
 

Types of headaches & their symptoms

 

‘Headache’ is an umbrella term that covers several distinct conditions. The most common headache types are:

• Tension headaches: If you’ve got one of these, you’ll experience a dull ache around your whole head. You might notice tenderness in your neck or shoulders too. Stress is a big trigger of tension headaches.
   

• Cluster headaches: This is a sequence of intense headaches, one after the other, usually felt on only one side of your face or behind one eye. Along with piercing or burning pain, you may have further symptoms such as swelling, redness, sweating or flushing. Your eye may weep too.
   

• Cervicogenic headaches: These headaches originate in your cervical spine, otherwise known as your neck. You’ll feel a dull ache, usually on one side, sometimes accompanied by a sore shoulder. Poor posture, strain or a degenerative condition like arthritis can lead to a cervicogenic headache.

 

• Migraine headaches: These intense, throbbing headaches may also come with nausea, vomiting and noise sensitivity. You may also experience a set of visual disturbances known as aura, including flashing lights, zigzag lines, stars and blind spots. A chiropractor may be able to help you prevent or relieve these symptoms.

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The impact of headaches and migraines

 

Living with ongoing, severe headaches and migraines is difficult. Your plans are often ruined by debilitating symptoms that stop you working or socialising.

 

No wonder there’s a strong relationship between living with migraine or severe headache and depression, anxiety, and panic disorder.

 

If you’ve tried many other treatments with no success, you may be feeling as though you’ll never get rid of your symptoms. But there is hope. Holistic care may be able to address the many different factors in your life and your body that can lead to headaches and migraines.

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Chiropractic headache treatment and migraine treatment

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Headaches and migraines are a sign that something is wrong. As chiropractors, we trust your body and we listen to what it’s telling us.

 

Chiropractic is a natural form of treatment that unblocks nerve signals travelling between your brain and your body. Chiropractic uses gentle adjustments to treat your bones, joints, muscles and ligaments.

 

Chiropractic treatment for headaches and migraines may involve:

• Learning about your lifestyle to assess your stress levels and diet

• Examining your body to identify areas of tension or misalignment

• Spinal manipulation

• Massage

• Relaxation techniques

• Lifestyle advice

• Posture correction

• Ergonomic advice to avoid straining your neck at the computer, for example

 

 

 

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How Hope Health can help

Here at Hope Health, you’ll receive a comprehensive chiropractic consultation along with personalised recommendations for treatment. Dr Ian Hope is an experienced chiropractor who provides care for headaches and migraines.

 

You can make your own appointment without needing a referral from a doctor. However, getting a referral from a GP may help with the costs of chiropractic care. Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may refer you to a chiropractor under the Enhanced Primary Care Program, which enables you to access Medicare rebates for chiropractic care.

 

Call 02 6295 0000 to arrange your appointment booking. If you’re curious about what happens at your first appointment, then visit our New Patients page. We look forward to seeing you at our Wagga Wagga clinic.