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Can Upper Cervical Chiropractic Adjustments Relieve Your Tension Headaches? Understanding the Science

11/26/2023

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Can Upper Cervical Chiropractic Adjustments Relieve Your Tension Headaches? Understanding the Science
Headaches are among the most common maladies affecting the human population. Tension-type headaches, characterized by a dull, aching sensation across the forehead or the back of the head and neck, can be particularly debilitating.

While there are various treatments available, one question remains prominent: can upper cervical chiropractic adjustments provide relief? Dr. Joey Miles at Healthy Living Spinal Care in Hickory, NC, offers a scientific approach to this question.
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The Burden of Tension Headaches


Tension headaches are often described as a tight band wrapped around the head, a result of muscle contractions in the head and neck region. They can be sporadic or chronic and may persist for hours or even days.

​Factors contributing to tension headaches include stress, poor posture, and spinal misalignments, which are particularly impactful in the upper cervical region.

The Role of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care

The Role of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care
Upper cervical chiropractic care focuses on correcting misalignments—specifically within the upper two vertebrae of the spine, the atlas, and the axis. These adjustments aim to restore balance and remove nerve interference, which can be a potential trigger for tension headaches.
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  • Scientific Rationale: The relationship between spinal alignment and headaches is rooted in anatomy and physiology. Misalignments can lead to muscle tension and nerve irritation that exacerbates headache symptoms.
  • Evidence-Based Practice: Research suggests that chiropractic adjustments, including upper cervical manipulations, may lead to significant improvement in headache intensity and frequency.
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Dr. Joey Miles’s Methodical Approach

Dr. Joey Miles’s Methodical Approach
At Healthy Living Spinal Care, Dr. Miles utilizes a comprehensive evaluation to determine the possible causes of tension headaches. Recognizing that each individual's experience with pain is unique, he combines clinical expertise with an evidence-based approach to tailor a plan suited to each patient's needs.
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  • Assessment and Diagnosis: Understanding the underlying factors contributing to tension headaches, from lifestyle to the physical state of the spine.
  • Customized Adjustment Techniques: Implementing gentle, precise adjustments to the upper cervical area with the aim of reducing headache-related tension and pain.
  • Preventative Strategies: Advising on posture, ergonomics, and relaxation techniques to help patients manage stress and mitigate the onset of headaches.
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The Science Behind the Relief

The Science Behind the Relief

The science of chiropractic care and its impact on headaches involves understanding the musculoskeletal and nervous systems' interactions. By relieving pressure on nerves and muscles, upper cervical adjustments can address the root cause of tension headaches.
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  • Neurological Implications: Alleviating nerve irritation in the cervical region can reduce the signaling pathways that lead to headache pain.
  • Musculoskeletal Benefits: Adjusting the cervical spine helps relax muscle tension, thereby easing the tension headache.
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A Community Embracing Health


The embrace of chiropractic care extends throughout Hickory and into Lenoir, Conover, Lincolnton, and Statesville. Dr. Miles’s commitment to his community is reflected in the personalized care he provides, aiming to educate and treat individuals seeking respite from their tension headaches.
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Conclusion


For those asking if upper cervical chiropractic care can relieve tension headaches, Healthy Living Spinal Care provides a compelling blend of science-backed chiropractic methods and individualized patient care.

​Dr. Miles is dedicated to helping patients understand and choose the best treatments for their symptoms, promoting a life free from the recurring burden of headaches.
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How To Manage A Pinched Nerve With A Chiropractor for Migraines In Hickory

Neck pain in Hickory, or soreness in other parts of your body, can come from a variety of different sources. These range from arthritis to tendonitis to torn cartilages in your joints. This also doesn’t include the variety of other conditions that have back pain in Hickory as a common symptom. One common such example is getting a pinched nerve in the upper part of the spine, also known as cervical radiculopathy. This generally occurs when bone spurs start to appear around the discs in the spine. When everything is working well, the discs should absorb the shocks between each individual vertebra. A bone spur is a small bit of bone that is formed as we age and discs get weaker. When things go properly, bone spurs support the vertebrae as they get weaker, However, in some cases, those spurs press on nerve roots, leading to other symptoms.
 
Symptoms of Pinched Nerves
How do you tell that the soreness you are dealing with stems from a pinched nerve? No matter what area it’s in, you’re going to need to have an in-depth exam of the affected area to be absolutely certain. As an example, a pinched nerve is generally localized in one area. Another thing to note is that these are normally very sharp soreness. By comparison, if you simply overexerted a muscle, the sensation would likely be a duller strain. In some cases, a pinch may never have any other symptoms. Some people feel a sensation of pins and needles in a certain area. Others may feel numbness or weakness when trying to lift something.
 
Depending on where you feel your symptoms and the exact nature of them, your medical professional may be able to determine if it is a pinched nerve or not quite quickly. Generally, though, an exam will still be administered. These start by testing sensitivity, strength, and reflexes. You may be told to do different stretches and movements to determine what leads to symptoms and what relieves them. You’ll also likely need to provide details about your pain. For example, be sure to have a record of when the pain started, and any activities that you do that cause soreness to flare up. If it is soothed by certain activities, be sure to mention those as well. Your doctor might also ask if you have had other health changes or recently increased your physical activities. If the spinal nerves are impacted, they can manifest in surprising ways, like bladder and bowel issues.
 
Say that your standard exam isn’t enough to get to the root of these issues. Your doctor may instead decide to do imaging tests to figure out what’s causing the pinched nerve and where it is. This is mostly administered through X-rays or MRI scans. An X-ray can showcase details going on with your bones, but won’t show your discs and nerves. With this said, they can be useful for determining if you have narrow vertebrae or bone spurs. An MRI is able to do more, showing how healthy your nerves and discs are in detail. In some cases, an X-ray may be done to a certain area to check for bone injury. Lastly, if the issue is due to injured ligaments or tendons, an ultrasound may be needed.
 
Working With Your Fibromyalgia Chiropractor In Hickory
So, if you suspect that a pinched nerve is behind your soreness, or know it for a fact, what can you do? One asset that you have is doing a posture adjustment. To start, try and find a position that helps you feel comfortable with your soreness. After this, you can adapt your lifestyle and living spaces to help you stay in that posture as much as possible. For a lot of people, doing this in the workplace is a major source of problems. One way to get around this is by using a standing workplace. These help prevent pinched nerves, treat existing ones, and just lower overall soreness. You can either ask the HR department to modify your existing space or buy your own.
 
Another thing to note is that whenever you are dealing with a pinched nerve, you want to make sure that you are as rested as possible, along with lowering any activity that leads to soreness. Try and keep the cycle of rest going until your symptoms subside. After this, you can begin to start testing things together. For certain types of issues, like carpal tunnel syndrome, you may be able to use a splint to protect your wrist.
 
You have a lot of options that you can do at home to help lower soreness from pinched nerves. For example, a gentle stretch can help provide relief, but you don’t want to overextend yourself. Focus on smaller movements, and if you find yourself getting sore again, try and do something less intensive. Think about applying heat to your muscles in the affected area to help them loosen. Heat also supports healing by promoting blood flow. Generally, you want to apply it for 10-15 minutes at a time. You can also do ice instead if you prefer. Simply get some ice, wrap it in a washcloth, and apply it to the area for 10-15 minutes as well.
 
If you want additional help, consider looking into NSAIDs. These can help quite a bit with mild soreness and can be brought over the counter. With that said, just make sure that you read and stick to the recommended dosage. These aren’t going to be able to provide total coverage as well. If you find that you’re dealing with consistent, extreme, or repeated soreness, reach out to a medical professional. On top of performing the exams before, they may be able to provide a prescription for more powerful medication. They may also recommend a specialist like a chiropractor in Hickory. This will help you get the treatment you need.

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828-485-2990

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