Can Chiropractic Help With Headaches and Migraines?

Yes, chiropractic treatment can help with the treatment and prevention of headaches and migraines.

Research has shown that some of the causes of headaches and migraines, particularly muscle tightness and joint stiffness in the neck, head and back, can be prevented or relieved through chiropractic interventions such as spinal manipulation and soft tissue therapies.¹

What are the symptoms of a migraine?

Migraines are best described as severe headaches that occur alongside other ailments including light and sound sensitivity, nausea and vomiting.

Migraines can last for anywhere from a few hours to days, and the associated pain and discomfort can be debilitating. They can affect people of any age and are often preceded a couple days prior with symptoms like:

Increased yawning
Neck stiffness
Mood changes
Fluid retention
Impact vision

How is a migraine different from a normal headache?

The differences between a migraine and a headache are that a headache is a general term for pain in the head, usually a dull, constant ache impacting both sides.

Causes of a general headache include muscular tightness, stress, an impact or dehydration. A migraine is a far more complex, often genetic neurological disorder. They can cause severe, throbbing pain typically isolated to one side of the head, and are often accompanied by extreme sensitivity to light or sound, as well as nausea.

Cervicogenic headache

A cervicogenic headache is pain or discomfort in the head that originates in your neck (Cervical spine).

Cervicogenic headaches occur when a neck joint is misaligned, there is muscle tension in the area, or pinched nerves. This sends pain signals that the brain interprets as head, temple, or behind-the-eye pain. A prior whiplash injury or arthritis can also be causes.

Symptoms include neck tightness, pain triggered or increased by moving the neck, and non-throbbing pain that generally starts on one side of the head or neck and spreads to the forehead, temples or behind the eyes.

Tension headaches

Tension headaches get their name from the feeling of tightness or pressure they cause in a band around both sides of your head. The pain usually isn’t severe in nature, more a dull ache, and doesn’t worsen with physical activity or cause nausea. The main causes are stress, fatigue and muscle tightness. Tension headaches can be episodic, occurring once every now and then during periods of high stress, or chronic and lasting many days.

How can chiropractic treatment help with migraines?

There may be no permanent cure for migraines, however research has shown that chiropractic treatment can reduce the frequency and intensity of them.²

Chiropractors typically target the upper cervical (neck) region, below the base of the skull. This is where restricted joints and tight muscles can aggravate nearby nerves. This irritation can trigger migraine attacks or may increase their duration. Through soft tissue therapy, spinal manipulation and postural changes, joint function can be restored and the impact of migraines reduced.

1. Spinal adjustments

Spinal manipulation involves adjustments to the cervical area where the misalignment or poor mobility is occurring. It decreases pressure on the localised nerves by improving freedom of movement in the neck. Coupled with soft tissue therapy and if necessary, longer-term postural changes, spinal adjustments are a proven way to prevent and treat headaches and migraines.

2. Treating and relieving muscle tension

Much like spinal manipulation, the goal of soft tissue therapy is to relieve muscle tension and is centred around restoring cervical and thoracic spine mobility. Chiropractors will target areas of tension in the neck, back, shoulders and head. Massage, trigger point therapy and myofascial relief techniques all aid in reducing muscle tension.

3. Treating and correcting posture

Bad posture puts strain on your muscles, ligaments and joints. Amongst other things, poor posture can lead to muscle tightness, a sore neck and back, inadequate joint mobility and headaches. Treating and correcting posture includes lifestyle changes, spinal manipulation and myofascial relief. A chiropractor can perform treatments that will help to realign your spine and relieve tension. Coupled with lifestyle changes like exercise and not sitting too much, it is possible to restore proper posture.

4. Reducing inflammation

Inflammation is essential for healing, however chronic inflammation can lead to pain, tissue damage and arthritis. Research has shown that chiropractic spinal manipulation can normalise inflammatory biomarkers and prevent or reduce inflammation.

Chiropractic care manages inflammation by reducing nervous system tension and lowering pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and IL-6.³ Through spinal adjustments, soft-tissue therapies like massage and myofascial release, as well as targeted mobility exercises, chiropractors help restore proper joint mobility to settle the body's immune response and promote natural healing.

For sufferers of migraines and headaches, chiropractic treatment is a proven method for both the relief and prevention of them. Regular visits to a chiro can help maintain good posture, promote proper joint mobility and relieve muscle tension.

Whether you're struggling with migraines, tension headaches, or cervicogenic pain, the team at Spinal Works is here to help. We are local North Queensland chiropractors with clinics in Townsville and Cairns. As ambassadors of the precise, effective Gonstead technique, we are committed to finding the root cause of your pain - not just treating the symptoms.

References

Bryans, R., Descarreaux, M., Duranleau, M., Marcoux, H., Potter, B., Ruegg, R., Shaw, L., Watkin, R., & White, E. (2011). Evidence-based guidelines for the chiropractic treatment of adults with headache. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 34(5), 274–289.
Rist, P. M., Hernandez, A., Bernstein, C., Kowalski, M., Osypiuk, K., Vining, R., Long, C. R., Goertz, C., Song, R., & Wayne, P. M. (2019). The impact of spinal manipulation on migraine pain and disability: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Headache, 59(4), 532–542.
Teodorczyk-Injeyan, J. A., Injeyan, H. S., & Ruegg, R. (2006). Spinal manipulative therapy reduces inflammatory cytokines but not substance P production in normal subjects. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 29(1), 14–21.