Tag Archive for: chiropractic care for headaches

Headache Pain Relief

My Head Hurts

Did you know that approximately 45 million Americans experience headaches each year? That’s about 1 in 6 people—with over 8 million seeking medical attention annually. Are you seeking headache pain relief? If so, you’ve come to the right place.

Types of Headaches

Headaches come in many forms, but they’re generally classified into primary, secondary, and a third “other” category that can overlap both.

Primary Headaches

These are standalone conditions, not caused by an underlying medical issue like an infection or injury. Common types include:

  • Migraine headaches – Often described as throbbing, usually on one side of the head, and frequently accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light or sound.
  • Tension headaches – Typically feel like a tight band around the head and range from mild to moderate in intensity.
  • Cluster headaches – Intense pain usually centered around one eye, often paired with nasal congestion, a drooping eyelid, or sensitivity to alcohol.

Secondary Headaches

These stem from an identifiable cause such as:

  • Infections (e.g., meningitis, encephalitis)
  • Head trauma (mild to severe)
  • Medication overuse
  • Chemical exposure or dehydration

Other Headaches

These include exertional headaches (from exercise or sexual activity), rebound headaches, and others that can fall under either primary or secondary categories depending on their root cause.

When Headaches Take Over

No matter the type, we know headaches can be debilitating. Our patients seek headache pain relief to avoid:

  • Missed work
  • Lost recreational time
  • Increased anxiety or depression

Knowing what kind of headache you’re experiencing is the first step toward headache pain relief. While primary headaches can often be managed with conservative care, secondary headaches may require immediate medical evaluation to rule out serious concerns such as brain tumors or hemorrhages.

The Chiropractic Connection

Once life-threatening conditions are ruled out, at Mountain Valley Chiropractic we can take a functional approach—and that begins with looking at the upper cervical spine.

Why? Because of the trigeminal nerve—the 5th cranial nerve—which is responsible for most primary headaches.

This nerve has three main branches:

  • Ophthalmic
  • Maxillary
  • Mandibular

It controls sensory information from the face (like pain and temperature) and motor control for the chewing muscles.

Misalignments (or subluxations) in the first or second cervical vertebrae can interfere with how the trigeminal nerve and surrounding structures function—often triggering or worsening headaches.

How Chiropractic Can Help

Chiropractic care helps restore proper motion and alignment to the spine, which can improve nerve function and alleviate a wide range of symptoms—including headaches.

This natural approach often reduces the need for costly or potentially harmful medications.

While not every headache will respond to chiropractic adjustments, many do—and for those who’ve never been evaluated by a chiropractor, it may be the missing piece in their headache care plan.

Ready to Find Headache Pain Relief?

If you or someone you love is struggling with headaches, now is the time to get checked. A chiropractic evaluation at Mountain Valley Chiropractic could be the key to better days ahead—without the pain.

Let us support you and your health. Contact Mountain Valley Chiropractic today!

Supporting Scientific Articles:

Migraine & Chiropractic

Cervicogenic Headache

Pediatric Headaches

Tension-Type & Mixed Headaches

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