Headaches
Headaches
Headaches are described as a pain or ache in the head. They can occur on both sides of the head, or in just one location. Headaches can be a result of local problems in the neck or brain or they can be a symptom of another underlying condition. The cause can range from life threatening, such as stroke or brain tumor, to less serious conditions such as muscle tension, dental maladies or emotional distress. Headaches are a common condition and most people, regardless of age or gender, will experience a headache at some point in their lives.
Learn More About Headaches
The International Headache Society (IHS) categorizes headaches into two main types: primary and secondary. Primary headaches are caused by structures within the head or neck that are sensitive to pain such as nerves, muscles, blood vessels and connective tissues. They can be described as having neuro-musculoskeletal origins.
Secondary headaches are pain symptoms that occur as a result of another condition
The causes and symptoms will vary depending upon the type of headache.
Primary Headaches
- Tension Type Headaches
- Migraine Headaches
- Cluster Headaches
Secondary Headaches
- Rebound Headache (due to substance withdrawal)
- Headache following Trauma (e.g. due to concussion or following a car accident)
- Headache due to Vascular Disorder (e.g. Stroke)
- Headache due to non-vascular intracranial disorder (e.g. malignant or benign tumors)
- Headache due to Infection
- Headache due to certain psychiatric disorders
- Sinus headache
- Headache due to Rheumatologic conditions such as Lupus and Vasculitis
Due to the many different types of headaches, some with life threatening and serious implications, it is very important to have a health professional diagnose the cause of your headache. At Greater Chicago Chiropractic Care, our chiropractors specialize in the treatment of your headache depending upon the cause.
How Does GCSP Treat Headaches?
Based on the diagnosis of your headache, our providers can determine if you are a candidate for less invasive alternative treatment options such as acupuncture, chiropractic care, manual therapy, Nu-V3 stimulation therapy, and exercise rehabilitation or a multimodal approach using a combination of these and other treatment options.
Unlike conventional Chiropractors who limit their practice to spinal adjustments and/or massage and some physical therapy companies that provide cookie-cutter treatment plans, our Chiropractors will create individualized treatment plans for each patient’s unique needs and combine multiple modalities of care to approach the patient as a whole.
In order to provide long term benefits and prevent the pain from occurring again and again, our Chiropractors like to treat the root cause of the pain rather than just treating the symptom.
Our treatment plans typically have 3 phases:
Phase 1: Decrease acute pain
Phase 2: Address root cause of pain
Phase 3: Return to all activities of daily living and provide home exercise & ergonomic advice if needed, to prevent re-occurrence of headaches.
The frequency of care and the number of visits it will take to treat will vary based on the type and severity of headache. Depending on the condition, our Chiropractors may dedicate up to 1 full hour of one-on-one care to each patient.
Let us help you “Get Pain Free, Get Moving, and Get Well”
The Chiropractors at GCSP will do a thorough evaluation to determine if they can help relieve your headache pain. They have helped countless numbers of patients improve their pain, increase function, and improve their quality of life by utilizing various treatment options as an alternative or in addition to medications.
Contact us today to set up an appointment with one of our Chiropractors who can help you achieve freedom from your headaches.