Headache Treatment in Dublin 2
Headaches can have many different causes and can vary considerably in their frequency, severity and symptoms. Some headaches are associated with tension, restricted movement or pain arising from the neck, while others, including migraine, have different underlying mechanisms.
At Dublin 2 Chiropractic, we regularly assess patients with recurring headaches, particularly when headaches occur alongside neck pain, stiffness or restricted neck movement.
When the neck and surrounding musculoskeletal structures are contributing to the problem, treatment may include chiropractic care, exercise and movement advice aimed at reducing pain and improving neck movement and function.
Understanding Different Types of Headache
There are many different types of headache, and understanding the pattern of your symptoms is an important part of identifying what may be contributing to them.
Common headache types include:
- Tension-type headaches: Often described as pressure or tightness around the head and may occur alongside tension or discomfort in the neck and shoulders.
- Cervicogenic headaches: Headaches arising from structures in the neck. They are commonly associated with neck pain, stiffness or restricted neck movement.
- Migraine: A neurological condition that can cause moderate to severe headaches and may also involve nausea and sensitivity to light or sound.
- Cluster headaches: Severe headaches that typically occur around one eye and tend to follow a characteristic pattern.
Because different types of headache have different causes, our assessment focuses on identifying whether the neck and surrounding musculoskeletal structures are contributing to your symptoms.
Your Headache Assessment
Your first appointment begins with a discussion of your headaches, including when they occur, where you feel them, how long they last and whether they are associated with neck pain, stiffness or other symptoms.
This is followed by a physical examination, which may include assessment of your neck movement, spinal joints, surrounding muscles and neurological function where appropriate.
The examination helps us determine whether problems involving the neck are likely to be contributing to your headaches and allows us to recommend an appropriate treatment approach.
Occasionally, the nature or pattern of a headache may indicate a cause outside the scope of chiropractic care, which is why an appropriate history and examination are carried out before treatment begins.
Chiropractic Treatment for Headaches
When headaches are associated with neck pain, stiffness or restricted neck movement, treatment can be directed towards improving the movement and function of the neck and addressing associated musculoskeletal problems.
Chiropractic treatment: Chiropractic adjustments and mobilisation can be used to improve movement in the neck and surrounding joints and help manage headaches associated with neck dysfunction.
Exercise and movement advice: Exercises may be recommended to improve neck movement, strength and tolerance to everyday activities.
Posture and activity advice: Where relevant, we may discuss working positions, prolonged sitting or other activities that appear to aggravate your neck or headache symptoms.
Your response to treatment is reassessed throughout care so that the treatment approach can be adjusted according to how your headaches, neck pain and movement are responding.
Headaches and Neck Pain
The joints and muscles of the neck can contribute to headache symptoms in some patients. This is particularly relevant when headaches occur alongside neck pain, stiffness, restricted movement or symptoms that appear to be aggravated by certain neck positions or activities.
For patients experiencing both problems, we assess the headache and neck symptoms together rather than treating them as completely separate issues. You can learn more about our approach to neck and shoulder pain.
Book a Headache Assessment in Dublin 2
If you experience recurring headaches alongside neck pain, stiffness or restricted movement, we can assess whether problems involving your neck may be contributing to your symptoms and discuss the treatment options available to you.
Your first appointment includes a consultation and physical examination, followed by an explanation of our findings and recommended treatment plan.
Dublin 2 Chiropractic is located at 79 Merrion Square South, Dublin 2, overlooking Merrion Square.
