text: Our chiropractor, Dr. Keegan, at Keegan Chiropractic in Ashburn offers holistic treatment options for individuals who have acute and chronic migraine and tension headaches.
  Understanding Migraine Headaches
  Migraines are severe headaches that cause pain on one side of the head. They may be accompanied by sensitivity to light and sound. Prior to the onset of the migraine, individuals may experience visual disturbances, weakness or numbness in the extremities or face and experience vision loss. Some migraines may be caused by triggers, such as certain foods, environmental changes or stimuli and stress of lack of sleep.
  Understanding Tension Headaches
  Tension or stress headaches are slightly different than migraines. Although they share a few similar symptoms. These headaches are commonly caused by stress and/or tight muscles in the back of the neck. Symptoms include a dull aching pain in either part of the head or all of the head, feeling like there is a band wrapped around your head and tenderness in the back of the neck and/or shoulders.
  Prevention for Migraine and Tension Headaches
  While not all headaches can be prevented, there are some things you can do to reduce your risk factors for developing headaches. Individuals with severe migraines may want to keep a migraine journal that describes the symptoms and length of time as well as any factors that may have contributed to the onset of the pain. They may also want to keep a food journal to determine if certain foods are triggering the episodes. Individuals with stress headaches may want to consider getting frequent massages to help dissipate muscle tension and discomfort in the neck as well as the rest of the body, which can help with headache prevention.
  Individuals with stress headaches and migraines will want to make sure they get plenty of sleep each night and take steps to reduce their levels of stress, like exercising regularly, participate in biofeedback training and/or cognitive behavioral therapy. Since working long hours on a computer or remaining in the same position for extended periods of time can trigger headaches, individuals may also want to consider taking frequent breaks to stretch.
  Chiropractic Care for Headache Relief
  Chiropractic care can provide headache relief. Individuals with severe headaches may benefit from spinal adjustments, which are designed to ensure the spine is properly aligned. When the vertebrae are in their proper positions, pressure is reduced on the central nervous system, which helps the system function properly.
  Massage therapy is beneficial for reducing muscle tightness and sore spots, which can help manage headaches and provide stress relief. Massage therapy is often recommended in conjunction with spinal adjustments. Other treatments include nutrition and weight loss help and brain health scans.
  Schedule an Appointment with Your Ashburn Chiropractor
  To schedule an appointment with our chiropractor in Ashburn for your acute or chronic headaches, call us at 703-858-3500. We are currently offering free consultations for all new patients, and feel free to ask us about BrainSpan and Brain Health Assessments.