Chiropractic Care and Headaches: Understanding the Connection

Headaches are a common health complaint and may have a significant impact on one’s quality of life. From difficulty concentrating and lost productivity to poor sleep, mood, and overall quality of life, the limitations can be important. At Centre Chiropratique Des Sources, our approach to head pain goes beyond short-term relief. We focus on working to diagnose the type of headache, as well as identifying and treating any underlying contributors within the cervical spine, temporomandibular joints, muscles and nerves. This way, we encourage long-term improvements and well-being.

Types of Headaches Often Seen in Chiropractic Practice

1. Tension-Type Headaches

Extremely common, and often linked to:

• Muscle tightness around the neck and shoulders
• Stress
• Poor standing or sleep posture

Temporomandibular-joint (TMJ) pain or dysfunction (TMD) may also be associated with headaches or head pain that resembles a Tension-type headache. Our chiropractors can assess the TMJ to see if the structures of this joint are a source of headache and pain.

2. Cervicogenic Headaches

These originate from the structures of the neck such as joints, discs, or muscles. Pain may start in the back of the neck or base of the skull and travel upward.

3. Migraines

While migraines have multiple contributing factors, improving spinal and neurological function may support better regulation and decrease frequency for some individuals.

What to Expect During a Chiropractic Headache Evaluation

Your visit begins with a conversation about your headache patterns, aggravating and relieving factors, lifestyle, health status and stress levels. Then your chiropractor conducts a detailed neuromusculoskeletal examination, which may include:

• Orthopedic and neurological testing
• Range of motion testing
• Palpation of neck and upper back muscles
• Posture and spinal assessment
• On-site X-rays, when clinically indicated

This thorough approach helps to assess, diagnose and establish a treatment plan that is tailored to you.

How Chiropractic Adjustments Support Headache Relief

Chiropractic adjustments are gentle and precise, and applied to the spine or peripheral joints may help:

• Improve mobility
• Reduce tension in surrounding tissues
• Enhance communication within the nervous system
• Encourage better posture
• Support overall well-being and healthier function

Your chiropractor may also provide:

• Home exercises
• Soft tissue therapy
• Ergonomic recommendations
• Lifestyle and stress-management strategies
• Sleep and posture guidance

These elements work together to reduce headache frequency and intensity.

Some headache types may also require medical referral or an interdisciplinary approach to care. We are expertly trained to recognize when a referral is needed and work with a network of health practitioners to ensure optimal outcomes for our patients.

Your Team of Chiropractors in the West Island

Headache care at our clinic is guided by two experienced chiropractors:

A Healthier, More Comfortable Way Forward

Headaches don’t have to define your day or limit your potential. With a focus on restoring joint and muscle function and supporting the nervous system, chiropractic care may help reduce the frequency and intensity of many common headaches.

If you’re ready to explore a holistic, evidence-based approach to headache care, contact our clinic in the West Island today. Our team is here to help you move, think, and live with greater ease.