Headaches
At Park Rehab, we focus on addressing the underlying causes of chronic headaches, rather than just managing the symptoms. Our approach to treating chronic headaches involves several advanced methods designed to restore balance to the cervical spine and reduce pain.
What Are Headaches?
Chronic headaches are a common condition that affects many people, and they can be caused by various factors. Two of the most common causes of chronic headaches include migraines and muscle tension. While migraines tend to involve intense, throbbing pain often accompanied by nausea or sensitivity to light, tension headaches typically result from tight muscles in the neck, shoulders, and scalp. These headaches can interfere with daily activities and significantly impact quality of life.
People suffering from chronic headaches often try over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen, as well as home remedies such as heat or cold packs, but many times these methods offer only temporary relief or no improvement at all. At Park Rehab, we focus on identifying the root cause of your headaches and providing targeted treatments to address it, rather than just masking the pain.
What are the symptoms of Headaches
The symptoms of chronic headaches can vary depending on the type and cause, but common signs include:
- Pain: Headaches can range from mild to severe, with some individuals experiencing a dull ache while others suffer from sharp, throbbing pain. The pain can be constant or episodic and may worsen with physical activity or certain movements.
- Neck & Shoulder Tension: Many people with chronic headaches report tightness or stiffness in the neck, shoulders, and upper back. This is often linked to muscle tension, which can contribute to headache development.
- Nausea and Sensitivity: In the case of migraines, individuals may experience nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light and sound.
- Difficulty Concentrating: Chronic headaches, especially migraines, can make it difficult to focus or concentrate on tasks, which can affect work, school, or social activities.
Many individuals try to alleviate their symptoms with over-the-counter medication, heat or cold treatments, or rest, but these remedies are often ineffective in providing long-term relief.
What Is Our Approach To Treating Headaches?
At Park Rehab, we focus on addressing the underlying causes of chronic headaches, rather than just managing the symptoms. A common source of headaches, especially tension headaches, is an imbalance in the cervical spine, particularly in the upper cervical spine. The area where the occipital bone (the base of the skull) meets the atlas vertebra (the first vertebra of the spine) is crucial for proper alignment and function. When this area becomes misaligned, it can lead to tension, inflammation, and headaches.
Our approach to treating chronic headaches involves several advanced methods designed to restore balance to the cervical spine and reduce pain:
- Shockwave Therapy: This therapy uses sound waves to promote healing in soft tissues and reduce inflammation. It’s effective in relieving tension in the muscles surrounding the cervical spine.
- Cold Laser Therapy: A non-invasive treatment that uses light to stimulate tissue repair and reduce inflammation in the affected areas of the neck and upper spine.
- Trigger Point Dry Needling: By targeting and releasing tight muscle knots in the neck and upper back, we can alleviate muscle tension that contributes to headaches.
- Manual Therapy: We use hands-on techniques to restore motion and flexibility to the cervical spine. These techniques help reduce stiffness and improve the alignment of the vertebrae in the neck.
- Myofascial Release Techniques: These gentle techniques focus on releasing tension in the muscles and connective tissue surrounding the cervical spine, improving overall function and reducing headache pain.
Many patients who come to us with chronic headaches are amazed at how quickly their symptoms improve once we address the underlying issues. By restoring the proper alignment of the cervical spine, releasing muscle tension, and reducing inflammation, we help our patients achieve lasting relief from headaches.
Download Our free Report
Fed up with constant headaches? Download our free guide to learn effective methods for identifying the root causes of your pain, managing common triggers, and using targeted strategies to find lasting relief. Whether it’s tension headaches, migraines, or general discomfort, our guide offers practical steps to help you regain control and feel your best again.