Migraine Specialist

What are the different types of headaches?

There are many kinds of headaches. Each one has a different cause and pain varies in its type and location, frequency and duration, and other accompanying symptoms. Several types of headaches benefit from chiropractic care:

Migraine headache: Constant throbbing, pulsating pain that begins on one side of the head and may spread to both sides, with the worst pain concentrated on the sides of the forehead.

Tension headache: A headache in forehead, temples, or back of head and neck due to stress, anxiety, fatigue, or anger.

Cervicogenic headache: Pain begins in the bones and soft tissues of the neck then radiates up one side of the head and into the shoulders and arms.

What are the characteristics of a migraine headache?

A migraine is one of the most painful types of headaches you can experience. It lasts from 4-72 hours (up to three days) and even after the headache subsides, symptoms often linger.

You may notice changes a day or two before the headache begins, then once the migraine develops, it’s accompanied by other symptoms besides severe pain, such as sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, vomiting, blurry vision, and dizziness.

If you have a migraine with aura, you may have visual disturbances about 30 minutes before the pain begins. You may see stars or lines of light, or have a temporary blind spot.

Many people find that their migraines are triggered by something specific. While triggers are different for each person, some are common:

• Beer and red wine
• Certain foods – aged cheeses, chocolate, nuts, onions, dairy, meats containing nitrates, such as bacon and hot dogs
• Skipping meals
• Hormone fluctuations
• Stress
• Too much or too little sleep
• Scents, such as smoke or perfume
• Caffeine
• Weather – heat, high humidity

What chiropractic techniques are used to treat headaches?

A headache is the third most common reason patients seek chiropractic care, where they receive safe and effective treatment that gets to the heart of the problem by correcting imbalances and tension in muscles and bones.

Studies show that chiropractic care improves a migraine and cervicogenic headaches, relieving pain and reducing their frequency. Dr. McMillin uses multiple techniques and therapies, with each one carefully chosen to meet your health needs:

• Spinal manipulation and mobilization
• Manual soft tissue therapy, including trigger point therapy
• Therapeutic massage
• Education about lifestyle factors
• Strengthening and stretching exercises
• Posture correction to prevent stress