Chiropractic Treatment for Tension Headaches & Migraines in Bradford

Many headaches start in the neck. Tension-type headaches and cervicogenic headaches (headaches referred from the joints and muscles of the neck) are both linked to stiffness and tight muscles at the top of the spine. At WellCare Medical in Bradford, chiropractic treatment for headaches focuses on those neck and upper-back structures, with the aim of making headaches less frequent and less intense.

• Tension-type headaches feel like a tight band or pressure across the forehead, temples or back of the head. Stress, long screen time and poor sleep are common triggers.
• Cervicogenic headaches usually start on one side at the base of the skull and spread forward. They often get worse with certain neck positions.
• Migraines are a neurological condition, often with throbbing pain, nausea or sensitivity to light. Chiropractic care does not cure migraines, but some people find that treating neck tension removes one of their triggers.

Part of your first visit is working out which type you are dealing with, because the right plan depends on it.

When stiff neck joints and tight muscles are part of the picture, treatment may include:

• gentle adjustments or mobilizations of the neck and upper back
• soft-tissue release for the muscles at the base of the skull, the neck and the shoulders
• posture and workstation advice to take load off your neck during the day
• stretches, strengthening and short movement breaks to use between visits

Keeping a simple headache diary for a week or two helps us see patterns and measure whether treatment is working.

Your chiropractor asks when the headaches began, where you feel them, how long they last and what tends to set them off. They then check how your neck moves, look for tender points that reproduce your headache, and carry out basic nerve tests. You will hear what they found and what they recommend before treatment starts.

Seek urgent medical care for a sudden, severe headache unlike any you have had before, a headache after a head injury, or a headache with fever, a stiff neck, confusion, weakness, numbness, or changes in your speech or vision. See your family doctor about headaches that are new after age 50 or steadily getting worse.

For stubborn tension we often pair chiropractic with massage for stress and tension relief or acupuncture. If your headaches clearly follow stiffness in the neck, see chiropractic adjustments for tension-related headaches and our page on neck pain treatment.