I’m a chiropractor and this is how I help with headaches

This article takes a look at common causes of headaches and how chiropractic may help.

Hi, I’m Dr. Kirsten Strudwick (Chiropractor) from Marrickville Chiropractic Care. Headaches are one of the most common complaints I get from my patients. They can be of mild discomfort to debilitating pain. And they can really stop you in your tracks. 

Let’s discuss some of the common causes of headaches and how chiropractic care may help manage them.

Headaches. What are the common causes?

Headaches are really common. And there's a couple of common triggers for them. 

Tension and stress

Tension and stress in the neck muscles and shoulders, which is caused by poor posture and sitting down all day

Poor posture

Think about all the hours you spend at a desk looking down at your computer screen, or when your commuting, all the time you spend looking down at your phone. This strains the neck and upper back. These types of headaches are referred to as cervicogenic headaches.

Misalignments

Spinal misalignments in the neck can also cause headaches. Misalignment of the vertebra can impact the nerves reduce blood flow, pain and tins and needles

Environmental triggers

Sometimes environmental triggers can also cause headaches or migraines such as bright lights noises and strong smells

Lifestyle factors

Another common trigger for headaches is dehydration and lack of sleep, among other common lifestyle factors.

Chiropractors are particularly focused on helping with tension headaches and cervicogenic headaches. These types of headaches often stem from tension in the neck and shoulders or issues related to poor posture.

How can chiropractors help with headaches?

Chiropractors can take a look at your musculoskeletal system, particularly your spine, and identify misalignments and areas of weakness. Once we have identified possible causes or problematic areas, we can then go about providing treatment to address these causes of headaches. When it comes to headache treatment, there's a couple of key areas we focus on.

The famous ‘chiropractic adjustment’

Chiropractors are most known for the chiropractic adjustment. If there's misalignments in the neck or shoulder region, then chiropractic adjustments may be able to help restore proper alignment, reduce strain, and increase joint range of motion.

Soft tissue therapy

Soft tissue techniques, like massage and stretching, work ‘hand in hand’ with chiropractic adjustments. Soft tissue work may help release tension in the neck and shoulders, addressing one of the most common sources of headache pain.

Posture improvements

To see how patients sit, stand, hold themselves, and position their head, I love to examine their posture.

Based on these insights, I can often then determine the cause of common muscular problems. This includes identifying the cause of your headaches. 

I can give posture, ergonomic, and lifestyle advice to help improve posture. I’ll help you to strengthen the muscles around the spine, which can reduce the risk of posture-related headaches.

Headache care is collaborative

Chiropractic care can be an effective part of a broader headache management plan. Whether your headaches are occasional or chronic, chiropractic care may help you to find relief and improve your quality of life.

Author: Dr Kirsten Strudwick (Chiropractor) is a Doctor of Chiropractic with 15+ years of experience in Marrickville, Sydney, and runs Marrickville Chiropractic Care. Holding a BSc and M.Chiro from Macquarie University, her practice focuses on holistic, patient-centred care. Kirsten has a clinical interest in a range of areas including women’s health, paediatric care, and pregnancy-related treatments.