Headache Treatments

There are many different types of headaches and many causes.  An estimated 90% of headaches are tension-type headaches.  These headaches are often triggered by muscle tightness of the upper back, shoulder and neck.  Headache pain patterns may vary with the muscle groups involved, neck joints involved and ergonomic factors like workspace and sleeping positions.  At Proctor Chiropractic, we evaluate you for each of these factors as well as evaluating the rest of your spine and body mechanics.  The rest of your spine and body movements can create a chain reaction of tightness or abnormal movement that leads to the tightening of your upper neck muscles that most commonly create the tension that results in headaches.  In the picture below, you can see how the suboccipital triangle muscles connect your skull to the upper neck bones and joints.  Imagine a crooked curve or poorly moving joint lower in the body and visualize how that would create a domino effect up to the suboccipital muscles (which are responsible for keeping your head on straight!).  

Treatments involve chiropractic adjustments, massage of the muscles, posture improving exercises and gentle stretches.  We will work with you to create the best combination of therapies to reduce or eliminate your headaches.