Headaches are common and are experienced by most individuals in their lifetime. However, recurring, chronic headaches can be debilitating and impede one’s ability to work, conduct daily activities, process emotions, and think clearly. There are three primary types of headaches: migraine, tension, and cervicogenic headaches, which are related to issues in the neck. Chiropractic care can be an excellent treatment modality for headaches. Studies have shown that chiropractic care can be beneficial in decreasing the frequency and intensity of migraines and alleviating pain resulting from tension and cervicogenic headaches. If you or a loved one is experiencing headaches in Carrollton, GA, Dr. Pete Lazarnick (“Dr. Pete”) is an experienced and qualified chiropractor with vast experience treating headaches who has served the surrounding communities of Carrollton since 1978.
What Causes Headaches?
Headaches occur when the body’s nociceptors (pain-sensitive nerve endings), in reaction to headache triggers such as stress or postural misalignment, send pain signals to the thalamus, the part of the brain that receives messages from the body. Headaches can be caused by a number of factors, such as anxiety, allergies, muscle strain, lack of sleep, changes in estrogen levels, and sensory irritants such as smoke.
How Can Chiropractic Care Treat Headaches?
The most common form of chiropractic treatment involves chiropractic adjustments, also known as spinal manipulation. Chiropractic adjustments are a form of manual therapy that involves manipulation of the spine and surrounding joints back into proper, healthy alignment. Since cervicogenic headaches are related to neck issues, chiropractic adjustments can ensure optimal postural alignment, relieving pressure on the surrounding nerves and tissues.
Other beneficial treatment modalities for cervicogenic headaches include electrical stimulation and ultrasound therapies. Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) therapy delivers mild electrical impulses to a targeted area of the body to help alleviate soreness and muscle pain. EMS can be effective for treating cervicogenic headaches as it fosters relaxation in the muscles and soft tissues of the neck and helps trigger the release of endorphins, the natural pain-relieving hormones in the brain and nervous system. Therapeutic ultrasound uses sound waves to produce vibrations that create heat in the targeted tissues of the neck. Therapeutic ultrasound is excellent for relaxing muscles, reducing inflammation, and enhancing the body’s healing properties.
Upon your first visit with Dr. Pete in Carrollton, he will comprehensively evaluate your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle. Dr. Pete will then design an individualized treatment plan for your headaches that may include recommended lifestyle changes and therapeutic exercises. Don't allow headache pain to ruin your day! Contact Dr. Pete to find holistic relief and healing from headaches and other ailments related to the musculoskeletal system. Call (770) 832-2226.