Headaches are a common health complaint — almost everyone gets occasional headaches. However, if you have two or more headaches a week or have such severe headaches or migraines that they keep you from work or social activities, contact Ariana Coletti, DC, at Inspire Chiropractic, in the River North neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Coletti offers holistic chiropractic care and lifestyle advice to reduce or eliminate your headaches. Call Inspire Chiropractic or make an appointment online today.
request an appointmentWhat causes headaches?
Several factors contribute to headaches. In many cases, your headaches and migraines could be due to tension in your neck, jaw, or upper back. You could have spinal alignment issues that pull on your muscles or compress nerves. Elevated stress levels also increase muscle tension that contributes to headaches.
Other causes of headaches include dehydration, disrupted sleep, blood sugar changes, or external factors like flashing lights or strong odors. Additionally, headaches are also symptoms of other illnesses like colds, the flu, or high blood pressure. Frequent headaches are also a sign of needing new glasses or contact lenses.
When should I see a chiropractor for headache pain?
You should make an appointment at Inspire Chiropractic if you have more than two headaches a week or if your headaches or migraines keep you from social activities or work. You should also talk to Dr. Coletti about your headaches if you also have pain or tension in your jaw, neck, shoulders, or upper back.
Dr. Coletti provides comprehensive consultations and exams to evaluate your condition and identify the cause of your headache. She reviews your medical history, symptoms, and lifestyle. She also feels your neck, jaw, head, and spine for signs of alignment problems, inflammation, or other issues that could contribute to your headaches.
How can a chiropractor treat headaches?
Once Dr. Coletti understands the condition causing your pain, she creates a customized treatment plan to reduce your pain and address the underlying issue. Depending on your needs, your program might include:
- Chiropractic adjustments
- Massage therapy
- Physical therapy
- Instrument-assisted soft tissue manipulation
- Dry needling
Dr. Coletti might also teach you exercises or stretches to practice at home to reduce the physical tension in your neck. Additionally, Dr. Coletti offers advice to help you adjust your lifestyle to reduce or eliminate your headaches. She might recommend drinking more water or reducing your consumption of alcohol or caffeinated beverages.
If you spend all day working at a computer and your screen isn’t at the correct height, you probably tilt your head slightly up or down to see your screen. This tiny angle can cause a significant amount of tension to build up in your neck and cause headaches. Dr. Coletti might recommend that you check the setup of your chair, desk, and screen and make adjustments to help you maintain good posture throughout the day.
Call Inspire Chiropractic today or make an appointment online for expert chiropractic care for headaches.