Headache Relief in Capac, MI

The neck-headache connection

Two of the most common headaches Dr. Todd sees are tension headaches and cervicogenic headaches, and both trace back to the neck and upper back. Tight muscles and stuck joints at the base of the skull refer pain up and over the head, often settling behind the eyes or across the forehead.

If your headaches come with a stiff neck, ride along with a stressful week, or show up after long hours at a desk, a workbench, or a windshield, there is a good chance the neck is driving them.

What Dr. Todd does about it

Chiropractic care will not fix every kind of headache, but for the neck-driven ones it can make a real difference by treating the source:

• Gentle adjusting. Restoring motion in the upper neck, where cervicogenic headaches usually start.
• Soft tissue work. Graston Technique and vibration therapy to release the tight muscles at the base of the skull and across the shoulders.
• Pain-relieving therapies. Electrotherapy, red light, and cold laser to calm things down.

Many patients notice fewer and milder headaches once the neck is moving freely and the muscles let go.

When a headache needs more than an adjustment

A sudden, severe "worst headache of my life," a headache with fever and a stiff neck, or one that follows a hard blow to the head is not a chiropractic problem. That is an urgent medical situation. Dr. Todd will always tell you honestly if your headache needs a different kind of care.