Chiropractic Care for Headaches in Valley Stream, NY
Headaches can make it hard to focus at work, drive or enjoy your day. While there are many types of headaches, some are linked to tension in the neck and shoulders, posture and everyday habits. At Valley Stream Chiropractic in Valley Stream, NY, we help patients with tension and neck-related headaches with chiropractic care and related therapies.
Common Headache Triggers
- Tight muscles in the neck and shoulders
- Poor posture and long hours at a computer or phone
- Stress and poor sleep
- Skipped meals and not drinking enough water
- Neck injuries such as whiplash
When a Headache Is an Emergency
Call 911 or go to an emergency room for a sudden, severe headache that feels like the worst of your life, a headache after a head injury, or a headache with fever and a stiff neck, confusion, weakness, vision loss or trouble speaking.
How We Can Help
Your visit includes a look at your neck, shoulders and posture, along with questions about when your headaches happen. Care may include chiropractic adjustments, Arthrostim adjustments, massage therapy, trigger point therapy and myofascial release to help ease tension. Stretching and strengthening exercises can support better posture, and our chiropractor can offer lifestyle advice on sleep, stress, screen habits and diet. You may also want to read about neck pain.
Schedule an Appointment
If headaches are getting in the way of your life, call Valley Stream Chiropractic today at (516) 791-6421 to schedule an appointment with our chiropractor.
How It Can Help
Look at the neck
Some headaches are linked to tight muscles and stiff joints in the neck, which we examine closely.
Ease tension
Adjustments, massage and trigger point therapy can help ease tension in the neck and shoulders.
Find your triggers
Advice on posture, screen habits, sleep and diet can help you spot and reduce headache triggers.
Why the Neck Matters for Some Headaches
Headaches are one of the most common health complaints, and they can make it hard to work, drive or enjoy time with family. Many everyday headaches are tension headaches, often described as a tight band or pressure around the head. Others start in the neck and are felt at the base of the skull, behind the eyes or on one side of the head. Tight muscles in the neck and shoulders, stiff joints in the upper neck, long hours looking at screens and stress can all play a part.
Because some headaches are linked to how the neck and shoulders move and hold tension, care aimed at those areas may help some people. Not every headache comes from the neck, and some need urgent medical attention, as described in the FAQs below. A new headache pattern after age 50 should also be checked by your medical doctor.
What to Expect From Headache Care
Your chiropractor will ask where your headaches are felt, how often they happen, how long they last and what seems to bring them on. Keeping a simple headache diary before your visit can help. The exam checks how your neck moves, your posture and the muscles of your neck, shoulders and upper back, along with a basic check of your nerves. If anything suggests a different type of headache, you will be referred to the right provider.
Depending on your exam, care may include gentle chiropractic adjustments or Arthrostim adjustments, massage therapy, trigger point therapy and myofascial release to ease tension in the neck and shoulders. Stretching and strengthening exercises help support better posture. Your chiropractor may also offer advice on screen and desk setup, sleep position, stress, hydration and diet. Many patients notice changes over several visits, and your plan will be adjusted based on how your headaches respond.
New to the office? Read what to expect at your first visit, or book online.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of headaches can a chiropractor help with?
Chiropractic care may help with tension headaches and headaches that start in the neck, often felt at the base of the skull or behind the eyes. Your chiropractor will ask about your symptoms to see whether care is a good fit.
What causes tension headaches?
Common triggers include tight neck and shoulder muscles, poor posture, long hours at a screen, stress, poor sleep, skipped meals and not drinking enough water.
When is a headache an emergency?
Call 911 for a sudden, severe headache that feels like the worst of your life, a headache after a head injury, or a headache with fever and a stiff neck, confusion, weakness, vision loss or trouble speaking.
Can posture cause headaches?
It can contribute. Holding the head forward while looking at a phone or computer puts extra strain on the muscles of the neck and upper back, which may lead to tension headaches. Adjusting your screen height and taking regular breaks may help.
Should I keep a headache diary?
A headache diary can be very helpful. Noting when headaches start, how long they last, what you were doing, and your sleep, meals and stress levels can help you and your chiropractor spot patterns and triggers.
Terms You May Hear
- Tension headache
- A common type of headache often felt as a tight band or pressure around the head, linked to muscle tension and stress.
- Cervicogenic headache
- A headache that starts in the neck and is felt in the head, often at the base of the skull or on one side.
- Trigger point
- A tight, tender knot in a muscle that can send pain to other areas. Trigger points in the neck and shoulders may refer pain into the head.
Related Services
Spinal Manipulation & Adjustment
Chiropractic adjustments at Valley Stream Chiropractic address vertebrae that are not moving or functioning properly, to reduce pain and improve range of motion and mobility.
Learn MoreTrigger Point Therapy
Trigger point therapy is a specialized form of massage that targets the areas where muscle tension and knots develop. Dr. Green uses it alone or as part of a chiropractic care plan.
Learn MoreMassage Therapy
Massage therapy is the manual manipulation of soft body tissues (muscle, connective tissue, tendons and ligaments) to enhance health and well-being.
Learn More
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