Headaches are widespread, affecting more than half of adults worldwide each year. Tension-type headaches are the most prevalent, while migraines are also widespread and occur up to three times more often in women. In the United States, approximately one in six adults reports experiencing severe headaches or migraines annually, with higher rates seen in women and younger adults.
While headaches are widespread, it isn’t normal to experience them consistently. When headaches happen consistently, it’s often a sign that the body is under ongoing stress, whether from posture, muscle tension, nervous system overload, poor sleep, dehydration, or other underlying factors.
Not all headaches are the same, and understanding the difference between them can make all the difference in getting relief. Each type of headache has a different underlying cause, so effective treatment depends on identifying the specific type. Addressing the root cause, rather than simply managing pain, is key to reducing frequency and improving long-term relief.
There are many causes of headaches, often stemming from physical, neurological, or lifestyle factors. Some of the most common causes are poor posture, which creates muscle tension in the neck, shoulders, and upper back, lifestyle stressors, and joint restriction or dysfunction in the spine, particularly in the cervical and upper thoracic regions. Headaches can also often be triggered by poor sleep, dehydration, blood sugar fluctuations, hormonal changes, and eye strain.
While taking over-the-counter medications like Advil or Tylenol can temporarily reduce headache pain, they do not address the underlying cause of the headache. Chiropractic is unique in that it focuses on identifying and addressing these underlying causes. For many people, chiropractic care offers a long-term, drug-free approach that supports overall function and helps prevent headaches.
How Our Care Plan Works
1. Schedule Your New Patient Exam
Set up a time so you and your Doctor can do a thorough history and examination to determine the root cause of your pain.
2. Get A Customized Plan of Action
Your Doctor will create a custom plan of attack to not only get you out of pain fast but to keep you out of pain long term.
3. Live A Pain Free Energetic Life
Receive the care you need for your problem so you can get back to the time when pain wasn’t dictating what you could do.
How We Treat Headaches In Arlington, VA
Comprehensive Consultation and Exam
The first visit with us is a comprehensive assessment designed to help us understand how your body is functioning as a whole. We begin with a consultation to discuss your concerns, health history, and care goals. From there, we perform orthopedic and neurological exams to assess movement, strength, reflexes, and the way your nervous system communicates with your body. We also assess joint mobility through motion palpation and obtain full-spine X-rays to evaluate alignment and structure. Posture screening and a bilateral weight scale help us identify how your body distributes weight and compensates throughout the day. Finally, we complete a Foot Levelers scan to assess foot mechanics and how your foundation may be affecting posture and the entire kinetic chain. All of this information is reviewed together during your Report of Findings visit so we can create a personalized care plan tailored to your needs. Instead of quick, symptom-based visits, we focus on corrective care and long-term results. Each care plan is personalized, based on your goals and our findings, and designed to help your body make adjustments and function better over time. Our goal isn’t just temporary relief; it’s helping you move, feel, and function better in everyday life.
Digital X-rays
X-rays are essential for evaluating headaches because they allow us to visualize the spine’s structure and alignment, especially in the neck and upper back, where many headaches originate. Headaches are often related to postural stress, joint restriction, or structural imbalances that can’t be fully identified through symptoms alone. By reviewing x-rays, we can assess spinal alignment, curvature, joint spacing, and any degenerative or structural changes that may be contributing to tension, nerve irritation, or poor movement patterns. This information helps us create a treatment plan tailored to the patient. In short, X-rays help us understand the root cause of headaches, enabling more targeted, effective, and long-lasting care.
X-rays are a fantastic tool for visualizing the structure and alignment of the spine. This will help our doctors identify factors that may be contributing to pain, headaches, or poor function. Specifically, X-rays can show spinal alignment and curvature, joint spacing and positioning, postural shifts, degenerative or arthritic changes, and signs of previous injury or structural variations.
In short, no, they’re not dangerous! The amount of radiation from an X-ray is very minimal and comparable to what you’re naturally exposed to from everyday sources like sunlight and the environment. We only take X-rays when they are clinically necessary, to help us provide safer, more precise care by allowing us to see spinal structure and alignment before starting care.
X-rays not only show structural or alignment issues but also indicate how long subluxation has been present in the spine, depending on the degenerative phase. This allows us to create a care plan that is both unique to you and helps you achieve your health goals faster.
Specific Chiropractic Care in Arlington, VA
Subluxation is a dysfunction of the spine in which a joint isn’t moving or aligning properly, which can interfere with the autonomic nervous system and muscular function. When left uncorrected over time in the neck or upper back, subluxations can create abnormal tension, joint irritation, and altered nerve signaling. This dysfunction can contribute to headaches by increasing muscle tightness, restricting normal movement, and placing stress on surrounding nerves and tissues that refer pain signals to the head. Over time, the body compensates for these restrictions, which can keep the nervous system in a heightened state of stress and lead to more frequent headaches.
Chiropractic adjustments can benefit patients with headaches by addressing the underlying mechanical and neurological factors that often contribute to them by restoring proper movement to the spine, especially the neck and upper back. As spinal function improves, the body moves more efficiently, tension decreases, and the nervous system shifts out of a stress-dominant state. Many patients experience fewer headaches, reduced headache intensity, and improved recovery because adjustments address the root cause rather than simply masking pain.
Chiropractic care takes a different approach to managing headache symptoms by focusing on the root cause. Conventional treatment often relies on medication to reduce pain or inflammation, which can be helpful in the short term. Still, it doesn’t fully address the underlying issues that may be creating the symptoms. Chiropractic care takes a comprehensive look at how the spine, posture, movement patterns, and nervous system work together. By improving joint mobility, reducing tension, and supporting healthy nervous system function, chiropractic helps the body heal and regulate more effectively. This approach emphasizes long-term function, prevention, and overall well-being rather than temporary relief. For many people, chiropractic care offers a preventative, drug-free option that supports lasting improvements in how they feel and function in daily life.
Custom Therapeutic Exercise Plan
Corrective exercises from the spinal hygiene kit support proper spinal alignment, improve mobility, and strengthen spinal stabilizing muscles so that the body can hold the chiropractic adjustment longer over time. When done consistently, these exercises help reduce mechanical stress on the spine that can trigger headaches, leading to fewer, less intense episodes over time rather than temporary relief.
Muscles can contribute to headaches when they become tight, overworked, or imbalanced, especially in the neck, shoulders, and upper back areas. Prolonged muscle tension and trigger points in muscles like the suboccipitals, upper trapezius, and levator scapulae can refer pain directly into the head and are strongly associated with tension-type and cervicogenic headaches. Prolonged postural strain increases muscle contraction, reduces local blood flow, and sensitizes pain receptors. Muscle-related factors don’t just cause pain; they influence how the brain perceives pain signals. Chronic tension can lead to central sensitization, in which the nervous system becomes increasingly reactive over time. Research in journals such as Cephalalgia and the Journal of Headache and Pain shows that treating muscle dysfunction (through manual therapies, movement, and corrective exercises) can significantly reduce headache frequency and intensity.
Subluxation disrupts normal joint motion, which directly affects the surrounding muscles. When a spinal joint is restricted or misaligned, the muscles around it often become overactive and tight as they try to stabilize the area, while others become inhibited and weak. This altered muscle tone can reduce local blood flow, increase muscular fatigue, and lead to the formation of trigger points.
Corrective exercises are designed to support and reinforce chiropractic adjustments by retraining muscles, restoring healthy movement patterns, improving posture and stability, and reducing muscle tension. Over time, these corrective exercises teach the body how to move and hold itself more efficiently, making the changes from care more sustainable and helping prevent headaches and other symptoms from returning.
Common Types of Headaches We Treat in Arlington, VA
Tension Headache
Tension headaches typically feel like a mild to moderate dull, tight, or pressing pain that wraps around the forehead, temples, or back of the head and neck. Oftentimes, it is described as feeling like a tight band is squeezing around the head or neck. They can be triggered by anxiety, stress, or muscle tension in those areas, and while they can be uncomfortable, they rarely cause nausea, vomiting, or vision changes.
Tension headaches can be triggered by anxiety, stress, or muscle tension in the neck or upper back muscles.
For quick relief, try applying a cold washcloth to the forehead or using light massage and neck stretching. For long-term relief of tension headaches, chiropractic care, along with corrective exercises and lifestyle changes, can significantly reduce symptoms. Additionally, stress management techniques, deep breathing, and mindful movement help calm the nervous system, while proper hydration, sleep, and lifestyle habits support the body’s recovery.
Migraine
Migraine headaches have a distinct, intense throbbing pain that often affects one side of the head and can disrupt daily life for hours or even days. Many people experience accompanying symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light, sound, or smell. Warning signs precede some migraines, called a prodrome, which can include fatigue, mood changes, or food cravings. Others may have a visual aura, such as flashing lights or zig-zag patterns, before the headache begins. After the migraine resolves, many also experience a postdrome, or “migraine hangover,” which can leave them feeling tired, mentally foggy, and slow to concentrate.
It’s important to note that a migraine isn’t just simply a headache; it’s a complex neurological condition leading to increased inflammation and pain. Migraines have many triggers that are unique to each individual who experiences them. Common triggers include genetics, hormonal changes, stress, poor sleep, certain foods, weather changes, dehydration, sensory stimuli (such as bright lights or loud sounds), and neck and shoulder muscle tension or postural strain.
Targeting and managing personal triggers, as well as any underlying factors that make the nervous system more sensitive, is a key first step in preventing migraine attacks. This can include lifestyle changes like managing stress, improving sleep, staying hydrated, and avoiding known dietary triggers.
Chiropractic care also plays a vital role in migraine pain management by alleviating muscle tension, improving posture, and supporting proper spinal and nervous system function. While medications are often used for acute relief, combining them with these proactive strategies usually leads to more effective, long-term migraine management.
Cluster Headache
Cluster headaches are extremely intense headaches often described as excruciating, sharp, burning, or stabbing pain, typically affecting one side of the head or the area behind the eye. This pain pattern often occurs in clusters at similar times, with attacks occurring multiple times a day over several days, weeks, or months, followed by a period of remission. These episodes can last 15 minutes to 3 hours and are often accompanied by redness and watering of the eyes, nasal congestion, a runny nose, and drooping of the eyelids on the affected side. These headaches are usually so intense and severe that they have a very morbid nickname!
While the exact cause of cluster headaches isn’t fully understood, they are believed to result from abnormal activity in the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that regulates biological rhythms. Some contributing factors include genetics, alcohol consumption, certain medications, vascular changes that affect blood flow to the head, and disruptions in circadian rhythm.
Cluster headaches are best managed through a combination of acute treatments and preventative strategies. Because of the intense and sudden onset of the attacks, short-term relief often involves oxygen therapy or prescription medications. Preventive approaches focus on lifestyle consistency, such as maintaining regular sleep patterns, avoiding alcohol during active cluster periods, and reducing other known triggers. Chiropractic can be a significant supportive lifestyle change to support nervous system balance, reduce muscular tension in the neck and upper back, and improve posture, which may help decrease the intensity of episodes over time and support overall headache management.
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) can cause sudden and severe, electric shock-like, or stabbing pain along the face, typically on one side. The pain can radiate to the cheek, jaw, teeth, and even the eye area. This pain can be triggered by light touch, chewing, and even a light breeze. TN attacks are typically very brief, from seconds to minutes, but can be so intense that they leave a constant burning or aching sensation between flares that may last for days or weeks.
Trigeminal neuralgia is typically caused by irritation or compression of the trigeminal nerve, often from a blood vessel pressing against it as it exits the brainstem. This pressure can damage the protective myelin sheath around the nerve, making it hypersensitive and prone to sending sudden pain signals.
Trigeminal neuralgia is traditionally best managed with medications and sometimes surgery if those fail or have harmful side effects for the individual.
Allergy or Sinus Headaches
Sinus or allergy headaches often feel like a deep, dull, pressure-like pain in the forehead, cheeks, behind the eyes, or at the bridge of the nose. The discomfort often worsens when bending forward, lying down, or during sudden head movements. With this type of headache, there is usually a feeling of facial fullness or congestion, nasal stuffiness, drainage, and deep pressure around the eyes or teeth. These headaches are commonly associated with sinus inflammation, fluid buildup, and restricted drainage, which can lead to persistent pressure rather than sharp or throbbing pain.
Sinus or allergy headaches are often caused by inflammation and congestion within the sinus cavities. This can lead to increased pressure in the face and head. Seasonal or environmental allergies, colds, sinus infections, or exposure to irritants like dust, mold, smoke, or pollution commonly trigger this inflammation.
The best way to relieve sinus or allergy headaches is to reduce inflammation, improve sinus drainage, and address any additional contributing factors. This often includes managing allergies with proper hydration, avoiding known triggers, and supporting immune health. The upper cervical spine houses and protects nerves that influence sinus function, blood flow, and lymphatic drainage in the head and face. When spinal joints in this area are restricted or misaligned, nerve communication can become disrupted, potentially contributing to increased congestion, poor drainage, and heightened sensitivity in the sinus tissues. Gentle chiropractic adjustments help restore normal joint motion and reduce irritation to these nerves, allowing the nervous system to better regulate inflammation and fluid movement.
Cervicogenic Headaches
Cervicogenic headaches originate from the neck and are caused by dysfunction in the cervical spine and surrounding tissues. These types of headaches are described as a steady, aching pain that starts at the base of the skull or upper neck and can radiate into the head, often affecting one side. The pain may spread to the forehead, temple, or behind the eye and is commonly accompanied by neck stiffness, reduced range of motion, or shoulder tension.
Cervicogenic headaches are often provoked or worsened by neck movement, poor posture, or sustained positions, such as working at a desk or looking down for long periods.
The pain associated with cervicogenic headaches is closely linked to mechanical issues in the neck, making them exceptionally responsive to care that addresses cervical joint function and muscle balance. Chiropractic care plays a key role by restoring proper motion and alignment of the cervical spine, reducing joint irritation and abnormal nerve input that can refer pain into the head.
Concussion Headaches
Concussion headaches are a fairly common symptom that follows a head injury and can feel persistent, diffuse, and pressure-like. These types of headaches do sometimes resemble tension headaches or migraines. The pain may be constant or intermittent and is often accompanied by brain fog, difficulty concentrating, dizziness, nausea, light or sound sensitivity, and fatigue.
Concussion headaches can present following a head or body impact. The injury can alter how the brain processes sensory information, regulates blood flow, and communicates with the rest of the nervous system. Symptoms associated with concussions can worsen with mental or physical exertion, screen time, or poor sleep.
The best way to relieve concussion headaches is through a comprehensive, gradual recovery approach that supports both the brain and the nervous system. Early on, this includes appropriate rest and reducing symptom-provoking activities. As symptoms stabilize, a guided, progressive return to movement and activity is essential to restore normal brain function without overstressing the system. Chiropractic care can play a supportive role by addressing neck and upper cervical spine dysfunction, which is very common after concussions and can significantly contribute to ongoing headaches.
Pregnancy Headaches
Pregnancy headaches can vary in intensity but are most commonly described as dull, aching, or pressure-like pain felt across the forehead, temples, or at the base of the skull.
These headaches are associated with hormonal fluctuations, changes in blood volume, altered posture, dehydration, and disrupted sleep patterns, and are most common in the first and third trimesters.
The best way to relieve pregnancy headaches is through safe and supportive care that addresses the rapid changes occurring in the body. This includes staying well hydrated, maintaining stable blood sugar with regular meals, prioritizing rest, and managing overall stress. Gentle, specific chiropractic care can be invaluable for improving spinal alignment and posture, reducing neck and pelvic tension, and supporting healthy nervous system function as the body adapts to pregnancy.
Whiplash Headaches
Whiplash headaches are typically described as dull, aching, or throbbing pain that starts in the neck and radiates into the back of the head, temples, or behind the eyes. The pain may be constant or worsen with neck movement, prolonged sitting, or certain head positions.
These types of headaches occur after an injury, typically one that causes a sudden, forceful movement of the head and neck. The most common mechanism of injury is from motor vehicle accidents, falls, or sports injuries.
With this type of headache, it is essential to first address the neck injury and nervous system disruption. Chiropractic care plays a vital role in the healing process by gently restoring proper motion and alignment in the cervical spine. Over time, this reduces joint irritation and abnormal nerve input that can refer pain into the head, decreases muscle guarding, and improves circulation to injured tissues.
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2300 N Pershing Dr #307, Arlington, VA 22201
Frequently Asked Questions About Headache Treatment
Is a chiropractor in Arlington, VA, good for headaches?
Yes, a chiropractor in Arlington, VA can be very effective for headache relief by addressing underlying spinal dysfunction that often contributes to headache pain. Chiropractic care improves spinal alignment, reduces muscle tension, and supports proper nervous system function, which can, over time, decrease the frequency and intensity of headaches. Many people find long-term relief from their headache pain without relying solely on medication.
When should you see a chiropractor for headaches?
You should see a chiropractor for your headaches if they are recurring, frequent, worsening, or interfering with daily activities, especially if they are associated with neck pain, poor posture, or a past injury.
Is a massage or chiropractic better for headaches?
Both chiropractic care and massage therapy can help support patients with headaches, but it is important to note that they work in different ways. Chiropractic care focuses on restoring proper spinal alignment, correcting joint dysfunction, and improving nervous system function. Massage helps reduce muscle tension and improve circulation to the tissue. For many people, a combined approach helps them maintain long-term headache symptom management.
Do medical doctors recommend chiropractors for headaches?
Many medical doctors recommend chiropractors for managing headache pain, especially when the pain is related to neck dysfunction, muscle tension, or poor posture. Collaborative care offers a complementary, drug-free approach to reducing headache frequency and intensity. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure care is coordinated and tailored to your individual needs.
Does insurance cover chiropractors for headaches?
In general, chiropractic care for headaches is typically covered under most major medical plans, especially when it’s deemed medically necessary and supported by documentation of your symptoms. Depending on your specific insurance plan, coverage may vary, so it is best practice to check with your insurance provider and the office team to fully understand your benefits, deductible, and any referral requirements. Chiropractic care can also be covered under workers’ compensation or auto injury policies when headaches are related to any workplace or automotive incidents.
How can I relieve my headaches?
Headache relief starts by identifying and addressing the underlying cause, not just the symptoms. Improving posture, staying hydrated, managing stress, and getting adequate sleep can help. Many also find that using integrative therapies, such as chiropractic, acupuncture, and massage therapy, alongside addressing underlying causes, provides long-lasting relief. Chiropractic care is especially complementary to supporting headache relief by reducing neck and spinal tension and supporting healthy nervous system function.
Can getting your neck adjusted help with headaches?
Yes, getting your neck adjusted can help with headache symptoms. Chiropractic adjustments to the cervical spine can improve joint mobility, reduce muscle tension, and support healthy nervous system function, thereby decreasing the frequency and intensity of headaches over time.
Is chiropractic effective for migraines?
Yes, chiropractic care can be an effective therapy for migraines. By restoring proper spinal alignment, joint movement, and improving nervous system communication, chiropractic adjustments can reduce the frequency, intensity, and duration of migraine attacks for many patients. Broader research, including systematic reviews and clinical trials, indicates that spinal manipulation and chiropractic care can lead to reductions in migraine frequency, intensity, and disability in some individuals.
What is a natural way to relieve tension headaches?
A natural way to relieve tension headaches is to address the underlying muscle tension and nervous system stress that often cause them. Gentle chiropractic adjustments can restore spinal joint movement, promote proper spinal alignment, and improve overall function of the nervous system.
Who is the best chiropractor in Arlington, VA, for headaches?
The Chiro Park in Arlington, VA, is an excellent choice for headache relief because its approach goes beyond temporary pain management to addressing the root cause of your headaches. The team provides a comprehensive assessment that includes full-spine x-rays, posture evaluation, orthopedic and neurological exams, gentle and specific adjustments, and corrective exercises to help retrain proper movement patterns and improve how the body holds adjustments over time. Patients frequently report improved headaches and neck pain as their overall spinal health and movement patterns improve, reflecting care that is both personalized and supportive of long‑term wellness.
