Headaches and Migraines

Headaches and migraines can wreck a whole day. Maybe it starts as a dull squeeze around your forehead by mid-afternoon, or a pounding that sends you looking for a dark room. A lot of the people we see at Hanson Chiropractic Center come in for neck pain and mention their headaches almost as an afterthought. Then we find out the two are connected.

Which kind of headache is it?

Tension headaches feel like a tight band around your head. They're usually on both sides, they build slowly, and they tend to show up after long hours at a desk or a stressful week.

Neck headaches start at the base of your skull and often stay on one side. They get worse when you hold your head still for a long time, like when you're driving or staring at a screen. Doctors call these cervicogenic headaches, which means they start in the neck.

Migraines are a different animal. The pain usually throbs, and it often comes with nausea and sensitivity to light or sound. Some people see flashing lights or zigzag lines before one starts. Migraines need your doctor's care, but many migraine sufferers also carry a lot of tension in their neck and shoulders, and we can help with that part.

What sets off headaches and migraines

Your neck is often in the middle of it. When you lean your head forward to look at a phone or a laptop, the small muscles at the top of your neck hold on tight for hours. Those muscles share nerves with your scalp and forehead, so the pain shows up in your head.

Other common triggers include clenching your jaw, poor sleep, skipping meals, not drinking enough water, and stress. If you keep a simple headache diary for a couple of weeks, writing down when each one starts and what you were doing, patterns usually jump out.

Sinus pressure and allergy season

When pollen counts climb in Oklahoma, a lot of people blame their headaches on their sinuses. Sometimes that's right. But a week of sneezing, coughing, and sleeping propped up on extra pillows also leaves your neck and upper back stiff and sore, and that tension feeds headaches too.

That's the part we help with. We work on the tight neck and shoulder muscles that pile on during a rough allergy season, while your doctor or allergist takes care of the allergies themselves.

How we help with headaches and migraines

At your first visit, we'll ask where your headaches start, how often they come, and what seems to bring them on. Then we check how your neck and upper back move, look at your posture, and feel for tight spots in the muscles at the base of your skull.

If your neck is part of the problem, we use gentle chiropractic adjustments to loosen stiff joints in your neck and upper back, with no quick twisting. Our massage therapist works on the muscles across your neck, shoulders, and jaw when massage is part of your plan. We'll also show you a few stretches to do at your desk, so the tension doesn't build right back up.

If you take medication for headaches and migraines, keep taking it the way your doctor prescribed. We work alongside that care, never in place of it.

Call 911 or go to the ER for these

Get emergency care for the worst headache of your life, especially one that hits suddenly like a thunderclap. The same goes for a headache with a fever and a stiff neck, a headache after a blow to the head, or one that comes with confusion, weakness, numbness, trouble speaking, or vision loss. And if you're over 50 and suddenly start getting headaches you've never had before, see your doctor soon.

Questions about headaches and migraines

Can a chiropractor help with migraines?

A lot of people with migraines also carry tension in their neck and shoulders, and we work on that part. Keep seeing your doctor for the migraines themselves, including any medication. Some patients tell us their headaches come less often once their neck loosens up, but results vary from person to person.

How do I know if my headache is coming from my neck?

Neck headaches usually start at the base of your skull, often on one side, and get worse when you hold your head in one position or turn it a certain way. Your neck may feel stiff too. We check how your neck moves at your first visit to see if it's part of the picture.

Is it a sinus headache or something else?

Sometimes it really is your sinuses. But a lot of headaches people call sinus headaches turn out to be migraines or tension headaches. If you're not sure, ask your doctor, especially if decongestants never seem to help.

Can allergies give me neck pain?

They can. A week of sneezing, coughing, and sleeping propped up puts real strain on your neck and upper back. We treat that muscle and joint strain, and your doctor or allergist handles the allergies.

Can my pillow cause headaches?

It can if it bends your neck all night. A pillow that's too thick or too flat leaves the muscles at the top of your neck tight by morning. Try one that keeps your head level with your spine.

How soon will I notice a difference?

Some people feel better after the first few visits. Headaches you've had for years usually take longer to settle. We'll tell you what to expect after your exam.

This page is general information and doesn't replace advice from your doctor. Results vary from person to person. If your headaches come with a stiff neck, see our page on neck pain and stiffness. Fill out your new patient paperwork before your first visit, or see everything else we help with on our Conditions We Treat page.