Headaches

Everyone suffers from occasional headaches. But if you have them several times a week, it could indicate a serious underlying health problem. At Lake Travis Chiropractic in Austin, Texas, experienced chiropractor Ryan Smith, DC, uses the Gonstead Method of chiropractic care to treat headaches and prevent them from coming back. Regular chiropractic adjustments and healthy lifestyle changes often relieve your symptoms and improve your quality of life. Call Lake Travis Chiropractic today to schedule headache treatment, or book your visit online.

What are headaches?

Headaches cause pain in your forehead, cheeks, or other parts of your face and head. For some people, the pain is mild and comes and goes; for others, it’s sharp, stabbing, and constant.

All people get headaches from time to time, but if your symptoms continue for hours, even days, identifying the cause is crucial. Some headaches, like migraines, can become chronic without proper treatment, affecting your ability to work, exercise, and participate in other activities.

Are there different types of headaches?

There are many types of headaches, but they all fall into two categories:

Primary headaches

These headaches occur because of overreactive and/or dysfunctional pain receptors in your head or brain. They’re often triggered by genetics and/or lifestyle factors, like drinking alcohol, poor posture, and lack of sleep.

Secondary headaches

These headaches are caused by an underlying health problem. For example, being dehydrated or having a sinus infection can make your head throb. However, once you drink some water or clear the infection, the headache goes away.

How does a chiropractor diagnose headaches?

Dr. Smith reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, including where the pain occurs, what it feels like, and if it’s worse at specific times, like when you’re sitting at a computer or feeling thirsty.

He examines your head, neck, and shoulders and checks your neck’s range of motion. You’re asked to complete several easy exercises to assess your muscle strength and reflexes. Then, he orders diagnostic imaging, like X-rays, an MRI, or an ultrasound, to look at the bones, joints, and soft tissues in your head, neck, and shoulders.

Once the cause of your headaches is found, Dr. Smith develops a personalized treatment plan to relieve pain and promote healing.

How does a chiropractor treat headaches?

At Lake Travis Chiropractic, Dr. Smith uses the Gonstead Method of chiropractic care to relieve headaches. The Gonstead Method uses noninvasive treatments to realign your spine and increase circulation. Dr. Smith could suggest:

• Chiropractic adjustments
• Exercises and stretches
• Ice and heat therapy
• Topical pain relievers
• Stress management techniques, like yoga and meditation
• Improved posture
• Healthy lifestyle changes, like eating a balanced diet and drinking more water
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)

Most people suffering from headaches benefit from several of the above treatments. Dr. Smith monitors your symptoms at regular checkups, adjusting your treatment plan when needed.

Call Lake Travis Chiropractic today to schedule headache treatment, or book your visit online.