Are you dealing with headaches more often than you'd like? Are you constantly taking sick days to deal with migraines? You're not alone. Headaches are one of the most common health complaints in the world, affecting millions of people every single day.

As a chiropractor, chronic headaches and migraines are one of the top reasons patients walk through our doors. The good news? You don’t have to suffer in silence or rely solely on pain meds. Chiropractic care can provide real, lasting relief.

In this post, we’ll cover the different types of headaches, what causes them, and how chiropractic care can help you feel better, naturally. Let’s dive in!

Common Causes of Headaches

Not all headaches are created equal, and the causes can vary widely from person to person. However, most headaches are triggered by everyday, manageable factors such as:

Dehydration
Stress (both emotional and physical)
Muscle tension in the neck and shoulders
Poor posture, especially from prolonged sitting or screen time

More serious causes can include:

Concussion
Brain tumors
Stroke
Medication overuse
Infections (ear or sinus)
Hormonal changes

In some cases, a headache is your body's way of telling you something is off. Whether it’s something simple like needing more water or something more serious, identifying the why behind your headache is the first step to treating it effectively.

Types of Headaches Chiropractic Care Can Help With

Headaches are typically categorized as either primary or secondary, depending on their origin. Chiropractic care can be effective for many types of headaches, especially those related to muscle tension, spinal misalignment, or nerve irritation.

Primary Headaches

These are not caused by another medical condition. Instead, they result from problems with pain-sensitive structures in the head and neck.

Tension Headaches

Tension headaches are the most common type of headache, often described as a constant, dull ache or pressure around the forehead or the back of the head and neck. It can feel like a tight band squeezing your head. Common triggers include:

Stress
Eye strain
Poor posture
Fatigue
Jaw clenching

Chiropractic adjustments can be especially helpful for tension headaches, as they relieve muscle tightness and realign the spine and neck.

Migraines

Migraines are a more severe type of headache, often felt on one side of the head with pulsing or throbbing pain. They’re commonly accompanied by:

Nausea or vomiting
Sensitivity to light, sound, or smell
Visual disturbances (known as an aura)

Migraines are believed to be neurological and can be triggered by:

Hormonal fluctuations
Stress
Certain foods (cheese, wine, chocolate, etc.)
Weather changes
Sleep disturbances

While the root causes of migraines are still being researched, chiropractic care has been shown to help reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks by relieving tension in the spine and neck and improving blood flow.

Cluster Headaches

These are rarer but extremely painful, often waking people up at night with intense, sharp pain around one eye. They occur in cyclical patterns or “clusters” over weeks or months. Triggers may include:

Alcohol
Smoking
High altitudes
Bright light or strong smells

Chiropractic care may help reduce the frequency of cluster episodes by improving nervous system function and decreasing stress on the spine.

Secondary Headaches

These headaches are symptoms of another underlying health issue. Common causes include:

Concussions
Sinus infections
Brain aneurysms or tumors
High blood pressure
Withdrawal from caffeine or medications

Although these require medical attention, chiropractic care can often be part of a larger recovery or treatment plan, especially for post-concussion syndrome or tension caused by illness or inflammation.

How Chiropractic Care Helps Relieve Headaches

Chiropractic care goes beyond just cracking backs—it's about restoring proper function to the nervous system and musculoskeletal structure. Here are several ways it can help reduce or eliminate headaches:

1. Targeting the Root Cause

Unlike medications that just mask the pain, chiropractic adjustments focus on correcting the underlying misalignments that may be causing headaches. Misalignments in the cervical spine (neck area) can lead to nerve irritation and muscle tension, both of which can trigger headaches.

By restoring alignment to the spine and improving joint mobility, chiropractic care reduces this pressure and allows the body to heal naturally.

2. Releasing Physical Tension

Many headaches are caused by tension and tightness in the muscles of the neck, shoulders, and upper back. Chiropractors use a variety of techniques to relieve this tension, including:

Manual adjustments
Trigger point therapy
Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS)
Ultrasound therapy
Hot/cold therapy

These therapies help increase blood flow, decrease inflammation, and release muscle knots that can cause or worsen headache symptoms.

3. Reducing Dependence on Pain Medications

Overuse of headache medications can lead to more headaches—a condition called rebound or medication-overuse headaches. By addressing the root cause of your pain, chiropractic care can help you break the cycle of constantly popping pills.

Many patients find they can significantly reduce or even eliminate their use of over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers after starting regular chiropractic care.

Lifestyle Changes That Support Headache Relief

While chiropractic care is a powerful tool, long-term relief often requires addressing lifestyle habits that may be contributing to your headaches. Here are a few tips:

Drink more water: Dehydration is a common trigger
Improve your posture: Especially if you work at a desk or on a screen
Manage stress: Consider meditation, yoga, or deep-breathing exercises
Get better sleep: Aim for 7–9 hours of restful sleep per night
Watch your diet: Cut back on sugar, caffeine, and processed foods
Exercise regularly: Movement improves circulation and reduces stress

A chiropractor can also help you develop a wellness plan that includes stretches, exercises, and ergonomic tips tailored to your specific needs.

When to See a Chiropractor for Headaches

If you’re experiencing frequent headaches—especially ones that interfere with your daily life—it’s time to take action. Chiropractic care offers a safe, non-invasive option for lasting relief.

At Lopez Health Center, our experienced chiropractors are dedicated to helping you feel better naturally. We’ll evaluate your symptoms, perform a thorough assessment, and create a personalized care plan to get you on the road to recovery.

Book Your Appointment Today

Don't let headaches control your life. Whether you're dealing with tension headaches, migraines, or just feeling worn down by persistent pain, chiropractic care could be the answer you've been searching for. Contact Lopez Health Center today to schedule your appointment and take the first step toward a healthier, pain-free life, without the meds.

Should You See a Chiropractor for Headaches?