Headache & Migraine Relief in Torrington
Headaches are another common clinical complaint we see at Downs Chiropractic. The diagnosis can sometimes be complex because there are numerous types of headache pain people suffer with—classic migraines, usually preceded by some type of visual or neurological event called an aura, cluster headaches, vascular headaches, tension headaches, and headaches as a byproduct of food sensitivities or allergic reactions.
Dealing With Headache Pain
Thankfully, most headaches are related to muscle tension, a condition chiropractic therapy is made to handle. The upper neck often plays a role in headache activity, so improvements rendered to the cervical spine from both a joint function standpoint and a muscular standpoint tend to yield good results, leading to reduced frequency, intensity, and duration of headache activity.
Having massage therapists on staff is also very useful in addressing headaches that don’t release with chiropractic alone. Acupuncture and dry needling techniques may also help improve headache symptoms. If a problem proves to be resistant to conservative intervention, further testing such as laboratory tests and MRI help to further investigate and diagnose the condition.
Exploring Similar Related Conditions
This may be interpreted as dizziness or lack of spatial orientation and is sometimes difficult to diagnose. The cervical spine can be related to vertigo activity, so upper cervical care could be helpful. One type of vertigo we often see in our office is benign positional vertigo caused by silt-like deposits in the inner ear called otoliths, irritating the inner canals of the ears.
Dr. Downs uses the Epley maneuvers, which are very successful, to treat vertigo episodes. We also work closely with ear, nose, and throat specialists if the patient is not responding to the more conservative treatment protocols for vertigo. There has also been some success in managing vertigo with acupuncture protocols.
Also known as ringing in the ears, tinnitus is sometimes difficult to diagnose. Sometimes, it results from hearing loss, so patients must have a proper ear, nose, and throat assessment and hearing test before addressing tinnitus.
We use chiropractic techniques, primarily focusing on the cervical spine, and acupuncture in the ear region, which has been successful in some cases. We see tinnitus regularly and have successfully managed its severity in many cases.
These patients typically have a lot of residual neurological abnormalities. Our chiropractic training in evaluating neurological symptoms helps to identify aspects of post-stroke syndrome that may be amenable to conservative measures.
We have had some success in assisting patients in improving their gait, restoring better function and strength, or just feeling better with less pain. These patients may have permanent deficits and functional abnormalities; our goal is to minimize the effects of such limitations and optimize the patient’s day-to-day function.
Alleviating Your Headache Pain
It can be hard to function with headaches, especially migraines. Chiropractic care has shown promising results in helping people cope with the pain and disorientation that can sometimes accompany it. Reach out to our staff to get more information or book an appointment.