For those that know me, I am sure you would not think of me as the emotional type. I tend to keep my emotions inside; I am not a big outward sharer. That being said, I am a very emotional person, and I understand how chronic pain, like persistent headaches, can take a huge emotional toll. When your head is constantly throbbing, it affects everything—your work, your family time, and your ability to just enjoy life. Many people reach for a pill bottle, but that often just masks the symptom without addressing the root cause.
Over my years as a chiropractor, I’ve seen countless patients find lasting relief from headaches through targeted spinal care. It’s not magic; it’s about restoring proper function to the body. Chiropractors take care of a condition called vertebral subluxation. This is a spinal condition where the boney joints of the spine become stuck and fixated, affecting the proper alignment. I like to tell my patients that subluxations are an abnormal condition that exists normally in all people. When these misalignments occur in the neck, they are a primary driver of many common headaches, including tension, cervicogenic, and even certain types of migraines.
If you are looking for a chiropractor near you to finally address your headaches, you’ve come to the right place. At Healthfirst Chiropractic Clinics here in Galloway, NJ, we specialize in identifying and correcting the underlying structural issues that cause head pain.
How Your Spine Causes Headaches
It might seem strange to think that your spine is the source of your headaches, but the connection is quite direct. Your neck, or cervical spine, is a complex structure of bones, nerves, muscles, and discs. When this system is out of balance, it can refer pain directly to your head.
Spinal Misalignments (Subluxations)
The top of your neck, specifically the C1 (atlas) and C2 (axis) vertebrae, plays a huge role in your head’s position and movement. When these vertebrae become misaligned from injury, stress, or poor posture, they can irritate the sensitive nerves that travel up into the scalp and face. This irritation is a common cause of what we call cervicogenic headaches—literally, headaches originating from the neck. These often feel like a dull ache that starts at the base of the skull and radiates to the front.
Poor Posture and “Tech Neck”
Think about how much time you spend looking down at a phone, a computer, or a desk. This constant forward-head posture puts immense strain on the muscles and ligaments in your neck. For every inch your head juts forward, it adds about 10 extra pounds of weight for your neck to support. This leads to chronic muscle tension, which is the hallmark of tension headaches—the most common type of headache. It often feels like a tight band is squeezing your head.
Muscle Tension and Trigger Points
When your neck muscles are overworked from poor posture or misalignments, they can develop tight, painful knots known as trigger points. These knots don’t just hurt where they are located; they can refer pain to other areas, including your temples, forehead, and behind your eyes. A trigger point in your upper trapezius muscle (the muscle between your neck and shoulder), for example, can create a “question mark” pattern of pain that wraps around your ear to your temple.
Chiropractic Care for Headaches: An Evidence-Based Approach
As a chiropractor, my goal is to find and fix the source of the problem, not just chase the pain. We use several proven techniques to relieve headaches by restoring proper mechanics to your spine and nervous system.
1. Spinal Manipulation (Adjustments)
The cornerstone of chiropractic care is the spinal adjustment. I use precise, gentle force to correct misalignments in the cervical spine. By restoring proper motion to the vertebral joints, we can relieve pressure on the nerves and reduce the irritation that causes headache pain. I have been caring for patients whose headache issues include cervical radicular symptoms and migraine headaches. Often, these patients’ headaches stem from protruding discs and spinal misalignments causing cervical tension. Adjustments directly address this.
2. Soft Tissue Therapy
Muscles and spine work together. If your muscles are tight and full of trigger points, they will keep pulling your spine out of alignment. That’s why we incorporate soft tissue therapies like myofascial release and trigger point therapy. These techniques help release muscle tension, improve blood flow, and break up painful knots, providing significant relief from tension and cervicogenic headaches.
3. Posture Coaching and Ergonomics
An adjustment provides immediate relief, but long-term success requires addressing the habits that caused the problem in the first place. A big part of what we do at Healthfirst Chiropractic Clinics is patient education. I will work with you to identify postural issues in your daily life—how you sit at your desk, how you hold your phone, even how you sleep. We’ll develop simple, effective strategies and exercises to strengthen your postural muscles and prevent future strain.
4. Lifestyle and Wellness Guidance
Headaches can also be influenced by factors like stress, diet, and hydration. We take a whole-person approach to your health. We may discuss stress management techniques, recommend specific stretches you can do at home or work, or talk about the importance of drinking enough water. Our goal is to empower you with the tools to manage your health proactively.
Your Visit with Dr. J Zimmerman in Galloway, NJ
Finding a new healthcare provider can be intimidating, so let me walk you through what to expect when you come to Healthfirst Chiropractic Clinics. Our office is conveniently located in Galloway, NJ, easy to find for anyone in the surrounding communities.
Your first visit will start with a conversation. It’s extremely important for me to understand your health history, the specifics of your headaches (frequency, intensity, triggers), and your lifestyle. This is followed by a thorough physical and neurological examination. We will assess your posture, check your neck’s range of motion, and feel for spinal misalignments and muscle tension.
Based on these findings, I will explain exactly what is causing your headaches and create a personalized care plan tailored to you. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Your plan will outline the recommended techniques, the frequency of visits, and the expected timeline for relief. Many patients start to feel a difference after just a few visits, with more significant and lasting improvement over several weeks as their body heals and adapts.
We are proud of the results our patients experience. You can see for yourself what they have to say when you Read our reviews.
Is Chiropractic Care for Headaches Safe?
Chiropractic adjustments performed by a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic are overwhelmingly safe and effective. The risk of any serious side effect is extremely rare. Some patients may experience mild soreness after their first few adjustments, similar to how you might feel after starting a new exercise routine. This is a normal part of the body adapting to positive change.
However, it is important to know when to see a medical doctor. If you experience a sudden, severe headache described as “the worst headache of your life,” or if it is accompanied by fever, confusion, stiff neck, or numbness, you should seek emergency medical attention immediately. These can be signs of a more serious underlying condition.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chiropractic and Headaches
1. How many visits will I need to fix my headaches?
This varies for everyone. Some patients find relief after just one or two adjustments, while those with chronic, long-standing issues may need a longer course of care to achieve lasting stability. We will set clear expectations during your initial consultation.
2. Can chiropractic care help with migraines?
Many migraine sufferers have a cervicogenic or tension component to their headaches, which can act as a trigger. By correcting spinal misalignments and reducing neck tension, chiropractic care can often reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks.
3. Is the adjustment painful?
Most patients find adjustments to be a relief. You may hear a “popping” sound, which is just the release of gas from the joint, similar to cracking your knuckles. I always communicate what I am about to do and ensure you are comfortable throughout the entire process.
4. Does insurance cover chiropractic for headaches?
Many insurance plans offer coverage for chiropractic care. Our staff at Healthfirst Chiropractic Clinics will be happy to verify your benefits for you before your first visit so you know exactly what to expect.
Take the First Step Toward a Headache-Free Life
You do not have to live with the constant disruption of headaches. If you are tired of temporary fixes and want to address the root cause of your pain, I encourage you to see a chiropractor.
Here at Healthfirst Chiropractic Clinics in Galloway, NJ, Dr. J Zimmerman and our team are passionate about helping our community live healthier, pain-free lives. We are ready to help you understand your pain and find a real solution. Call us today to schedule your consultation.
