Chiropractic Care for Headache Relief | Chiropractor for Headaches in Rochester Hills, MI
Hi, I’m Dr. Justin Berlin with Delta Chiropractic, and today I want to talk to you about how chiropractic care can help eliminate headaches.
Understanding the Root Cause
Let’s begin with the most important question: What causes headaches? All symptoms in the body—including headaches—have an underlying cause. People don’t get headaches because they haven’t taken enough medication. While medication may be the most common treatment, it only masks the symptom. Our goal in chiropractic is to get to the root cause.
One of the most common root causes of headaches is a lack of oxygen reaching the brain. This often results from neurologic pressure and poor communication between the brain and body. In chiropractic, we refer to this disruption as a subluxation, which is a misalignment in the spine that interferes with the nervous system.
The Role of the Upper Neck
One of the most common areas for this interference is the upper neck. If we look at the X-ray behind me, we can see the ideal position for the first cervical vertebra (C1) is a 28-degree angle. However, in this patient, the C1 vertebra is only at 11 degrees. That misalignment creates a sort of “kink in the garden hose,” where the brainstem and spinal cord are compressed and cannot pass through the vertebrae without interruption.
This compression of the brainstem, especially between C1 and C2, is frequently the source of chronic neck pain and headaches. The brainstem controls blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain, and when it’s under pressure, that communication is compromised—resulting in pain.
How Chiropractic Fixes the Problem
Chiropractic care focuses on removing this pressure through specific spinal adjustments. When we correct the alignment of C1 and C2, we take pressure off the brainstem and spinal cord. This restores normal neurological communication between the brain and body.
It’s important to note that headaches are a symptom—not the problem. Our goal is not simply to reduce pain, but to correct the interference causing it. When we do that, the headache goes away naturally, without the need for medication.
Demonstration of an Upper Cervical Adjustment
Let me demonstrate what this looks like in practice. We’ve already completed a full exam and X-rays on Dr. Mark, and we’ve identified a misalignment at his C2 vertebra.
As you can see, the adjustment is quick and comfortable. By realigning the vertebra, we reduce the pressure on the brainstem and restore proper function.
What to Expect
Does chiropractic care reduce pain? Yes. But more importantly, it eliminates the interference so the body can heal and function properly. The real goal is not just symptom relief—it’s long-term correction.
If you suffer from headaches and want to explore a natural, drug-free solution, we’d love to help. Give our office a call or visit our website to schedule a consultation.
I’m Dr. Justin Berlin with Delta Chiropractic. We’ll see you in the next video.
