Chronic headaches and migraines affect many Americans. The severity of pain can go from mild and intermittent to episodes of exhausting throbbing, brutal agony, as well as nausea. Headache relief comes from a variety of means, including over-the-counter medications and prescription drugs, rest, and ice/heat packs on the forehead or neck. Sources of headaches include, but are not limited to, certain kinds of foods, sounds, excessive noise or bright lights, changes in blood sugar, and even too much exercise.

Some recent studies have shown that patients suffering from chronic headaches and migraines may benefit more from long-term chiropractic care rather than drug therapy alone. For headaches that originate in the cervical, or neck area, chiropractic treatment such as spinal manipulation, has been shown to be quite effective. Doctors of chiropractic successfully help thousands of individuals everyday obtain safe, effective, long-term relief from their headaches. This is because most headaches have a spinal, muscular, or habitual component which the chiropractor has been trained to identify and treat.

There are several types of headaches, however the three most common types of headaches that affect millions of people everyday are:

Migraine Headaches

Migraine headaches are very often self-diagnosed. Unfortunately that type of self-diagnosis can be dangerous. There is a lot of criteria needed in order to diagnose a migraine headache and when done correctly it makes treating it that much easier.

Migraines are broken down into 2 categories:

• Migraine with *aura (Classic Migraine)
• Migraine without *aura (Common Migraine)

* An aura is a perceptual experience that usually comes before the onset of a Migraine headache and consists of the visualization of strange light, strange smells, or confusing thoughts or experiences.

Migraines are more common in women, although can occur in men as well. Many things can trigger migraines including, but not limited to, the use of medications, food triggers, environmental exposure, sleeping habits, etc. The first and best approach to correctly diagnose a migraine is to keep a headache journal, accounting for all foods eaten, sleep patterns, drinking patterns, medications, and other exposures. Additionally, one should keep track of their exercise habits, scenarios of stress, when the headaches come and go, how long they last, etc. The more detailed the better.

The good news is that the treatment of migraines is quite successful when utilizing chiropractic adjustments, particularly in the upper cervical spine (neck). Research has indicated quite successful results when Chiropractic manipulation is applied to patients suffering from migraine headaches. In addition to chiropractic adjustments, nutrition and supplementation tends to have positive and lasting effects as well. Dr. Craig Singer and USA Health and Therapy approaches this serious condition from many angles helping increase the possibility of success with little to no risk and at reasonable cost.

Tension Headaches

Tension Headaches are typically described as worse in the afternoon and evening, and are often work and stress related. The pain is usually felt on both sides of the forehead and/or the top of the neck. These headaches can last for long periods of time (as much as weeks) and can be triggered by something as simple as an uncomfortable airplane ride. Tension headaches are caused by both muscle tension as well as trigger points in the muscles, which are small, focused, irritated spots within the muscles that just cannot seem to relax.

Chiropractic adjustments and various muscle release techniques prove to be the best and safest tension headache treatment available. Research indicates quite successful results when Chiropractic manipulation is applied to patients suffering from tension headaches. Non-invasive and non-medicated, the treatments available for these types of headaches often achieve results immediately. The key is to ensure that proper steps are taken to avoid recurrences of the tension that may cause the headaches.

At USA Health and Therapy in Oakland Park, Dr. Singer not only succeeds in relieving the stress and tension which is the underlying cause of tension headaches, but he also seeks to reveal the causes so that you can help take back your health and control your comfort. We have a right to live pain free, and Dr. Singer strives at revealing this right.

Cervicogenic Headaches

Cervicogenic headaches can stand alone, but more commonly are part of a broader range of headaches that overlap. As the name suggests, the culprit with a cervicogenic headache is the neck region. Injury to muscles, joints, ligaments, nerves, nerve roots, and other structures present in the neck can all contribute. Typically, reduced movement of the neck is associated with this type of headache.

Much like migraine and tension-type headaches, the ideal cervicogenic headache treatment is Chiropractic adjustments and care. Research indicates quite successful results when Chiropractic manipulation is applied to patients suffering from cervicogenic headaches.

At USA Health and Therapy in Oakland Park, Dr. Singer is patient and caring in finding the correct touch in order to correctly and successfully treat your condition, so that your quality of life is never compromised. Your new lease on life begins in a pain free environment, and Dr. Singer can jumpstart that today!

Stop by or call Dr. Singer at USA Health and Therapy in Oakland Park to schedule an appointment today. Regular chiropractic treatments can promote health, healing, wellness and well-being.