Headaches
Headache Treatment in Scottsdale
Headaches can make it difficult to work, exercise, sleep, or simply enjoy your day. While there are many different types and causes of headaches, tension in the neck and surrounding muscles, restricted spinal movement, and other musculoskeletal factors can contribute to certain headaches.
At Body Check Chiropractic, Dr. Matt Tanneberg takes a personalized approach to identifying factors that may be contributing to your headaches. Rather than treating every headache the same way, he evaluates your neck, spine, muscles, movement, and symptoms to determine an appropriate treatment approach.
The goal is to help reduce discomfort, improve mobility, and address musculoskeletal factors that may be contributing to your symptoms.
Common Types of Headaches
Headaches can have many different causes. Some of the more common types include:
Tension Headaches
Tension headaches are often associated with pressure or tightness around the head and may occur alongside tension in the neck, shoulders, and upper back.
Restricted movement and muscular tension can contribute to discomfort, particularly for people who spend long periods sitting at a desk, working on computers, or looking down at phones.
Cervicogenic Headaches
Cervicogenic headaches originate from structures in the neck and can cause pain that travels from the neck toward the head.
Restricted movement in the cervical spine or tension in surrounding muscles may contribute to these headaches. Addressing the neck and associated soft tissues may be an important part of treatment for appropriate patients.
Migraines
Migraines are more complex than typical tension headaches and can involve symptoms such as throbbing pain, sensitivity to light or sound, nausea, and visual disturbances.
While chiropractic and soft tissue care may be helpful for some individuals as part of a broader approach to migraine management, migraines can have many contributing factors. Dr. Matt can evaluate musculoskeletal factors and determine whether chiropractic care may be appropriate.
Symptoms That May Accompany Headaches
Depending on the type and cause, headaches may occur alongside:
Neck pain or stiffness
Upper-back and shoulder tension
Reduced neck mobility
Pressure around the head
Pain behind or around the eyes
Sensitivity to light or sound
Muscle tightness
Pain that begins in the neck and travels toward the head
How Body Check Chiropractic Can Help
Treatment depends on the type of headache, your symptoms, and what Dr. Matt identifies during your evaluation. Depending on your individual needs, several therapies may be incorporated into your care.
Chiropractic Adjustments
Spinal adjustments can help restore movement to restricted joints in the neck and upper spine. For patients whose headaches are associated with musculoskeletal dysfunction, improving cervical mobility may be an important component of care.
Myofascial Release
Tension in the muscles and fascia of the neck, shoulders, upper back, and surrounding areas may contribute to headache symptoms. Myofascial release can be used to address soft tissue restrictions and improve mobility.
Cupping Therapy
Cupping may be incorporated to address muscular tension in areas such as the upper back, shoulders, and neck. It can complement hands-on soft tissue treatment when appropriate.
ARPwave Neuromuscular Therapy
ARPwave uses targeted electrical stimulation to interact with the neuromuscular system. It may be incorporated to support muscle function and address areas of muscular tension or dysfunction.
PEMF Therapy
The Zimmer EMfield provides Pulsed Electromagnetic Field therapy and may be incorporated into a treatment plan as a non-invasive recovery modality for appropriate patients.
Red Light Therapy
The ARCC Red Light Therapy Bed may be used as an additional wellness and recovery therapy. Red and near-infrared light exposure is designed to support cellular function and the body's natural recovery processes.
A Personalized Approach to Headache Care
There is no universal treatment for headaches because there is no single cause. Dr. Matt takes the time to understand your symptoms and evaluate the way your neck, spine, muscles, and joints are functioning.
Your treatment plan may include one therapy or a combination of therapies depending on what your body needs. As your symptoms change, your treatment can change with you.
At Body Check Chiropractic, you work directly with Dr. Matt at every visit, providing consistent, one-on-one care throughout your treatment.
When to Seek Medical Care for a Headache
Most headaches are not emergencies, but some require prompt medical evaluation. Seek immediate medical attention for a sudden, severe headache or a headache accompanied by symptoms such as weakness, confusion, fainting, difficulty speaking, significant vision changes, fever with neck stiffness, or other unusual neurological symptoms.
If your headaches are new, unusually severe, becoming more frequent, or changing in character, speak with an appropriate medical professional for evaluation.
If you're looking for headache treatment in Scottsdale, Body Check Chiropractic can evaluate whether musculoskeletal factors may be contributing to your symptoms and whether chiropractic and soft tissue care may be appropriate for you.