Headaches FAQ

Birmingham Chiropractor Answers Your Most Frequently Asked Questions

What causes headaches and migraines?

More than 95 percent of all headaches and migraines do not have a specific cause and are classified as primary headaches. These headaches seem to be linked to abnormally tight muscles in the upper back and neck. Additional causes may include, noise, light, certain foods, waiting too long between meals and stress. The other 5 percent of have physical illnesses and diseases associated with them.

How does chiropractic care help with migraines?

Migraines can be caused by minor misalignments in the spine, which place pressure on your nerves and can interrupt the signals sent through your central nervous system. These interrupted signals can cause migraines and severe head pain as well as light and sound sensitivity. Chiropractic care, specifically chiropractic adjustments can help alleviate the pressure on your nerves and facilitate the proper functioning of your nervous system, which reduces the frequency and severity of migraines.

How many sessions with your chiropractor will I need before I experience relief?

Many individuals experience some relief after their first chiropractic adjustment. However, it may take several weeks and several sessions with our chiropractor before significant relief is noticed.

What is the typical treatment length for migraine relief?

Treatment lengths differ, depending on the individual’s specific needs and the severity of their head and neck pain and their underlying causes and injuries. In younger people with very few underlying conditions and illnesses, treatment length can take anywhere from three to six weeks. In older individuals with health problems, arthritis and other underlying conditions, treatment can last a lot longer. Head and neck pain caused by whiplash, for example, can take up to two years to fully correct.

What is the success rate for chiropractic adjustments and care on migraines?

According to several studies done by the ACA, chiropractic treatments are about 72 to 90 percent effective at reducing the frequency of primary head pain and migraines.

What other treatments do you offer for headache relief?

Diet and lifestyle adjustments can also make a difference in reducing the number of migraines you experience. Certain foods can trigger migraines and head pain. Sitting in one position for too long is hard on the back, neck and head and can also lead to migraines and tension headaches. Our treatment approach typically involves treating your whole body, which means finding and eliminating foods that could be causing your migraines, improving the nutritional value of your diet, ensuring you get enough exercise and helping you maintain proper posture throughout the day.

Is there anything I can do on my own to reduce the number of headaches I experience?

If you sit as a desk all day, getting up once or twice an hour to stretch and walk around your desk can be helpful. If you are not drinking eight glasses of water a day, you should attempt to drink more water. Dehydration can cause migraines and headaches.

For more information on our migraine treatments, please call our office at (205) 942-4243.

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Office Hours

*Please note morning/afternoon hours. Closed 12-3pm for lunch

Monday

7:30 am - 12:00 pm

3:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Tuesday

10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Wednesday

7:30 am - 12:00 pm

3:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Thursday

Closed

Friday

7:30 am - 12:00 pm

3:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Saturday

Closed

Sunday

Closed

Monday
7:30 am - 12:00 pm 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Tuesday
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Wednesday
7:30 am - 12:00 pm 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Thursday
Closed
Friday
7:30 am - 12:00 pm 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed