Chiropractor Care For Headaches
Headaches are the worst. No other condition causes as much disruption to a person’s life than headaches, which not only hurt like crazy, but steal a person’s ability to focus and think.
We have seen amazing results with people suffering from headaches since Bright Futures Chiropractic started in 2007 here in Kalona, IA. It is an unfortunate fact that 50% of people suffer from headaches each year, and that 4% of the population suffers from headaches 15 days or more every month.
These statistics prove that headaches are very common. But this does NOT mean that they are normal. In most cases we can get to the root cause(s) and help a person heal, resulting in far fewer, and often in complete elimination of, headaches.
The cause of headaches can come from a combination of many different sources. These are a few:
- Emotional stress, anxiety, and depression
- Environmental changes like weather patterns or seasonal allergens
- Underlying conditions like high blood pressure or blood sugar regulation problems
- Nutritional deficiencies like dehydration or an imbalanced diet
- Toxic overload from dietary or environmental chemicals
- Physical or mechanical problems including spinal dysfunction, nerve irritation, and tight muscles
In our office, we approach headaches in a different manner than most. Most offices look to provide treatment that eliminates the symptoms of headaches, such as medication or limited-scope chiropractic care. While this can be useful in the short term, we have found that most people prefer actually solving the problem that is causing the headaches.
At Bright Futures Chiropractic, we do just that. We take a comprehensive approach to address the spine and nervous system, along with providing education that can decrease or eliminate the lifestyle and environmental causes of headaches.
If your headaches are coming from a spinal problem that is causing nerve irritation, the only road to true healing is to correct the spinal problem. That is what we have found to be so successful here over the years. Finding and addressing the root cause of people’s headaches.
How We Treat Headaches In Kalona, IA
Pro Tip: We are so successful at headache care here because we don’t actually treat headaches–we care for the body and correct the cause of the headaches, so the body can heal and function normally. And a normally functioning body doesn’t have headaches!
Comprehensive Consultation and Exam
Every new patient encounter starts with an in-depth consultation. As doctors, we need to get to know you and your story to know what your body has been through, and what you’re experiencing now. We need to know how your headaches are impacting your life, and most importantly we need to know your goals–what you need and want to get back to doing in life!
During our examination, we will perform a complete spinal evaluation for proper alignment and movement, along with digital spinal x-rays and testing your nervous system function with specialized technology that helps us locate the specific areas of concern. This allows us to truly get to the root of the problem.
These examination findings and your goals then help us determine the best path forward for you to get the results you desire.
Specific Chiropractic Care in Kalona, IA
As chiropractors, we specialize in finding and correcting subluxation. This is a problem that occurs when a vertebra (bone in your spine) moves out of its normal position and/or is stuck and not moving properly, which causes irritation to nerves in that area. When nerves are irritated, they can become symptomatic and can be painful due to inflammation. It is also possible that they don’t cause obvious symptoms, but lead to underlying dysfunction in the body. Correcting subluxation allows the nerves to function properly and the body to heal itself.
Many times, people with headaches have subluxation in the upper cervical spine (neck). The nerves in this area emerge from the spine and travel up the back of the head and down through the neck. When these nerves are irritated, one of the most common symptoms they cause is headaches. Through specific chiropractic care to this area, nerve interference can be removed, and nerve function can be restored. For many, this will eliminate the headaches they are experiencing.
If subluxation is the cause of your headaches, they won’t heal until that is addressed, and no amount of drugs or muscle rub will resolve the problem.
Custom Therapeutic Exercise Plan
Headaches are often caused and made worse by poor posture. And poor posture is an epidemic in our society. Years and years of daily smartphone use, computer work, and sitting too much have created postural problems for many people. Certain muscles get weak, and other muscles get tight. This creates an unhealthy imbalance that takes a specific approach to correct.
At Bright Futures Chiropractic, we identify postural problems that contribute to headaches like forward head posture and rounded shoulders and specific corrective exercises are included in our care plans. We give patients video and print resources to learn and apply the exercises, then we check in with them to make sure they are doing them correctly.
Lifestyle Education to Combat Headaches
Along with spinal problems, the way that we drink and eat can be a significant contributor to headaches.
At Bright Futures Chiropractic we help identify what lifestyle factors could be contributing to your headaches, and we provide recommendations and resources to help you get on a better path. After all, if we don’t change the things that caused our headaches in the first place, they will keep coming back.
Hydration is a major factor, and most people don’t drink enough water, causing their body to adapt, hold in toxins, and creating inflammation and poor body function.
Check out this video to learn Dr. Grier’s favorite water hack for improving hydration:
Common Types of Headaches in Kalona, IA
Tension Headaches
Do you have mild to moderate achy pain that feels like a tight band around your head stemming from the base of your skull and sometimes even down into your upper back? If so, it is very possible that you suffer from tension headaches.
At Bright Futures Chiropractic we find tension headaches are becoming more common due to technology postures and the stresses of modern life. If you are experiencing these symptoms it is important to have your spine and nervous system checked for the dysfunction that could be causing your condition.
Migraine Headaches
Another common headache we see at Bright Futures Chiropractic is migraine headaches. These headaches can be more complicated because they have multiple possible causes and different presentations. Migraines can also include symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and/or sensitivity to light and sound. In some instances, migraine sufferers may experience an “aura” either before or during their migraine episode. An aura can best be described as a visual disturbance such blurred vision, wavy lines, or flashing lights.
The pain from migraines can either be throbbing or pulsing, or in some cases extreme and debilitating. They have the potential to drastically decrease a person’s quality of life if left untreated. Migraines can be cervicogenic, meaning they originate in the cervical spine. It is wise to have a chiropractor check your spine and nervous system as part of your migraine recovery plan.
Allergy or Sinus Headaches
Are your headaches a deep pressure behind your eyes, cheeks, and forehead that is typically worse when you bend forward? If so, it is very possible you are experiencing sinus headaches. These can occur regularly throughout the year or can be seasonal if you’re affected by environmental allergies.
Many patients have resolved their sinus headaches with care at Bright Futures Chiropractic with a combination of a specific chiropractic care plan and lifestyle improvement to eliminate the triggers of inflammation. If you believe you have sinus headaches, having a thorough chiropractic evaluation is highly recommended.
Cervicogenic Headache
Much like a tension headache, cervicogenic headaches include pain around the head’s “hat band” and have neck pain and stiffness as a primary symptom. These are often caused by an injury, either recently or in the past, and are made worse with the poor posture that our modern lifestyle promotes.
A thorough evaluation like what we do at Bright Futures Chiropractic can lead to a care plan that corrects the cause of these headaches rather than focusing specifically on treating headache symptoms with drugs or topical treatments.
Pregnancy Headache
Pregnancy can be a wonderful time of life, and it also can come with its fair share of uncomfortable symptoms. Headaches are one of the most common. Whether these headaches are from your changing physical body, the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, or the changing lifestyle you’ve adopted, it is important to get to the cause of your headaches.
Chiropractic care is a safe, effective, and natural way to correct the cause of pregnancy headaches that does not include putting you or your developing baby at risk of toxic chemicals and altered biochemistry like what could happen with drug treatments.
At Bright Futures Chiropractic, Dr. Grier is specifically trained in pregnancy and pediatric care and has enjoyed caring for this population since 2007 here in Kalona, IA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a chiropractor in Kalona, IA good for headaches?
Definitely! Chiropractors are trained to identify the source of headaches and guide you through the proper care plan to correct the cause. The chiropractors at Bright Futures Chiropractic have helped thousands of headache sufferers in Kalona, Wellman, Riverside, Washington, Lone Tree, and Iowa City get their lives back on track, and they can help you too!
When should you see a chiropractor for headaches?
As soon as possible. A headache is a sign that something in your body is not functioning properly. It is important to be evaluated promptly so your condition does not worsen. Starting care quickly can help you start healing, and feeling better and get back to doing the things you like to do and need to do in your life.
How can I relieve my headaches?
Self-care to go along with chiropractic care is the perfect combination for healing headaches. Step 1–set up a chiropractic evaluation. Step 2–evaluate your lifestyle habits starting with hydration and movement. Step 3–correct the lifestyle issues you identified in Step 2 with the help of your chiropractor, if necessary.
Is chiropractic effective for migraines?
Chiropractic care is extremely effective for migraines when the right approach is taken. A system that identifies triggers, lifestyle challenges that contribute to the migraines, and includes a full evaluation including health history, spinal examination, x-rays (if indicated), and nervous system health has allowed Bright Futures Chiropractic in Kalona, IA help hundreds of people correct the cause of their migraines and enjoy life without them.
Who is the best chiropractor in Kalona, IA for headaches?
Any chiropractor who performs a thorough health evaluation and examination of the spine and nervous system, including spinal x-rays (if indicated) and nervous system measurements can help a person achieve long-term healing and relief from headaches. In Kalona, IA, Bright Futures Chiropractic is the only chiropractic office that offers all these services.
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