Find Headache and Migraine Relief in Rochester, MN
Headaches are far too common but don’t have to be your standard. At Skare Spine & Performance in Rochester, MN, we consider headaches a 'check engine light' because your body often tells you something needs to be changed.
At Skare Spine & Performance in Rochester, MN, we consider headaches a 'check engine light' because your body often tells you something needs to be changed.
There are many different types and causes of headaches, which is why a proper diagnosis is essential. The most common types are tension headaches, cervicogenic headaches, and migraines.
Different Causes of Headaches and Migraines
- Excess tension in neck/shoulder muscles
- Prolonged clenching of your jaw
- Food allergens (dairy, wheat, gluten, etc.)
- Stress
- Allergies
- Hormones
- Whiplash or trauma to your neck
- Sports Injuries
Headaches Don't Have To Be Your Normal!
Our thorough history and examination will help uncover the cause of your headaches. All reasons for headaches have an answer, so you don't have to continue living with headaches or migraines.
Schedule AppointmentFind Relief
Due to increasing cell phone usage, sitting at a desk looking at a computer all day, or the ever-increasing stress, headaches often result from muscular imbalances in our neck and occipital region. Our method of finding relief for your headaches will include the following:
Our method of finding relief for your headaches will include:
- Chiropractic adjustments to restore proper joint motion and relax the surrounding musculature
- Myofascial/soft-tissue work to break up fascial adhesions
- Functional rehabilitation to strengthen the deep neck flexors and shoulder stabilizers
- Dry Needling to relieve trigger points and tension in the muscles
- Nutritional advice to possibly remove any allergens
- Work-station advice to help improve daily posture and ergonomics
Testimonials
"You won’t regret scheduling with Nate!
From personal experience, I had a 2 week long headache and I thought it was just weather and stress related. One visit with him and I haven’t had one headache since! Very impressed with his knowledge and ability to pin point problem areas!"
-Tomi O. Spring Valley, MN
Tension Headaches
With tension headaches, you will often feel like you have a vice grip or binding around your head that presents directly in the front or on the "temples" (side of your head). These can also feel like the headache is right behind an eye. These headaches can be frustrating as you can wake up with them or be completely random. These can also be related to excess tension and tightness in the neck and shoulders.
A randomized control trial research study showed that dry needling was effective in relieving chronic tension-type headaches compared to a sham treatment.
Gildir S, Tüzün EH, Eroğlu G, Eker L. A randomized trial of trigger point dry needling versus sham needling for chronic tension-type headache. Medicine (Baltimore). 2019;98(8):e14520. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000014520
Cervicogenic Headaches
Headaches most commonly associated with neck pain and tightness are known as cervicogenic headaches. Restoring proper joint motion with chiropractic adjustments, relaxing the musculature with myofascial, and activating the deep neck flexors will solve cervicogenic headaches.
Migraines
Migraines often feature symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light. Common headaches and migraines often have similar triggers, but the intensity is perceived differently. Our method of helping find relief for your migraines does not include drugs and consists of finding your triggers, restoring joint range of motion, strengthening and activating the deep neck flexor, myofascial release, dry needling, and nutrition advice.
Food Sensitivities
Food sensitivities, especially dairy and gluten, can cause a low level of systemic inflammation over time, leading to headaches, brain fog, low energy, and just not feeling your best. Dr. Skare will order the proper testing if food allergies are a suspected culprit.
Headaches Related To Your TMJ
“50% of cervical spine cases will have TMD, often as the primary problem." Karel Lewit, 1999
Frequently, tension headaches are related to clenching of your jaw. Because your muscles of mastication (chewing muscles) are located on the side of your face and in your temple region, when you are clenching, you are actively using these muscles all day and night. Over time, this causes the muscles to tighten up and become a headache producer.
Dysfunction of the joint can present with:
- Jaw pain
- Painful yawning or opening of the mouth
- Clicking or popping of the jaw
- Neck Pain
- Restricted or tightness opening mouth
- Deviation of the jaw when opening the mouth
- Unable to fit 3 finger widths in your mouth
If you experience any of these symptoms and headaches, your TMJ may be the culprit.