Headache Chiropractic Care in Rochester Hills, MI
Recurring headaches can interfere with work, sleep, exercise and everyday life. Some headache patterns may be associated with neck tension, joint irritation or other musculoskeletal factors. Delta Chiropractic provides personalized evaluations to determine whether conservative chiropractic care may be appropriate.
- Personalized Headache Evaluation
- Conservative Chiropractic Care
- Convenient Rochester Hills Location
Understanding Headaches
What Causes Headaches?
Headaches have many possible causes and should not automatically be assumed to originate from the neck or spine. Possible contributors include muscle tension, stress, sleep disruption, dehydration, certain medications, migraine disorders, illness, eyestrain, neck or cervical musculoskeletal factors, previous injury and other neurological or medical causes.
Headache symptoms alone cannot determine the underlying cause. An appropriate history and evaluation help determine what type of care may be appropriate.
Common Symptoms
Headache Symptoms Can Vary
Different headache disorders and contributing factors can produce overlapping symptoms. The presence of any one symptom does not establish a diagnosis.
Head Pressure or Aching
Some headaches feel like steady pressure, aching or tightness.
Throbbing Pain
Pulsating or throbbing pain can occur with some headache disorders.
Temple Pain
Discomfort may be felt around one or both temples.
Base-of-Skull Pain
Some symptoms begin near the upper neck or base of the skull.
Neck Pain With Headache
Headache and neck discomfort can occur together for several reasons.
Light or Sound Sensitivity
Sensitivity to light or sound can occur with migraine and other headache patterns.
Headache Patterns
Different Types of Headaches
“Headache” describes a symptom rather than one single condition. Different headache disorders can require different evaluation and management.
Tension-Type Headaches
Often described as pressure or tightness and may occur with neck or shoulder tension in some people.
Migraine
A neurological disorder that may involve headache, nausea, light or sound sensitivity and other neurological features.
Cervicogenic Headaches
Head pain associated with a problem originating from structures in the cervical region.
Neck-Associated Headaches
Some headache patterns occur alongside neck stiffness, muscle tension or movement limitations.
Post-Traumatic Headaches
Headaches after an accident or injury require appropriate assessment because multiple factors may be involved.
Secondary Headaches
Some headaches occur because of another medical condition and may require medical evaluation.
Headaches & the Cervical Spine
Can Neck Problems Be Associated With Headaches?
Yes. Some headache patterns can be associated with structures in the neck, muscle tension or cervical joint dysfunction. However, headaches have many possible causes, and not every headache originates from the neck.
Cervical muscles, upper cervical joints, sustained posture, neck movement and previous neck injuries may be relevant in some patients. An evaluation can help determine whether musculoskeletal factors appear to be involved.
Learn more about neck pain chiropractic care.
Neck-Related Headaches
What Is a Cervicogenic Headache?
A cervicogenic headache refers to head pain associated with a problem originating from structures in the cervical region. Possible features can include headache with neck pain, reduced neck mobility, symptoms affected by certain neck movements, pain beginning near the neck or base of the skull, and symptoms that may favor one side.
These features alone do not mean that a person has a cervicogenic headache. Similar symptoms can occur with other headache disorders.
Tension-Type Headaches
What Are Tension-Type Headaches?
Tension-type headaches are often described as pressure, tightness or band-like discomfort. Some people also experience neck or shoulder muscle tension.
Muscle tension may accompany these headaches, but it should not automatically be assumed to be the sole cause.
Headache vs. Migraine
Is a Migraine the Same as a Headache?
No. Migraine is a neurological disorder that can cause headache along with symptoms such as nausea, light sensitivity, sound sensitivity and other neurological features.
Chiropractic care should not be presented as a cure for migraine. People experiencing migraine symptoms should receive appropriate medical evaluation, particularly when symptoms are new, changing or severe.
After an Accident
Can an Auto Accident Cause Headaches?
Headaches can develop after an accident for multiple reasons, including neck strain, whiplash-associated symptoms, muscle tension, head injury or other trauma.
A post-accident headache should not automatically be assumed to be musculoskeletal. Headaches following head trauma, loss of consciousness, neurological changes or significant injury warrant appropriate medical evaluation.
Chiropractic & Headaches
Can a Chiropractor Help With Headaches?
For some people whose headaches are associated with neck or musculoskeletal factors, chiropractic care may help improve cervical mobility, address contributing musculoskeletal limitations and support more comfortable movement.
Delta Chiropractic may evaluate your health history, headache pattern, neck symptoms, previous injuries, cervical mobility, muscle tension, posture and relevant neurological findings when appropriate. Care recommendations depend on examination findings.
Your Evaluation
How Delta Evaluates Headaches
Health & Headache History
Discuss when symptoms began, frequency, location, duration, triggers, neck symptoms, previous injuries and relevant medical history.
Movement & Musculoskeletal Evaluation
Evaluate relevant cervical movement, joint mobility, muscle tension, posture and movement patterns.
Relevant Screening
When appropriate, assess neurological or other findings that may indicate a need for medical evaluation or referral.
Personalized Recommendations
Discuss whether conservative chiropractic care may be appropriate or whether another healthcare provider should be involved.
Individualized Care
What May Chiropractic Care for Headache-Related Neck Problems Include?
Depending on examination findings, recommendations may include:
- Chiropractic adjustments
- Joint mobilization
- Therapeutic exercise
- Movement recommendations
- Posture or ergonomic guidance
- Activity modification
- Home-care recommendations
Not every patient needs or receives every type of care.
For more information about Delta's broader approach, visit Chiropractic Care.
Know When to Seek Medical Care
When Should a Headache Be Medically Evaluated?
Some headache symptoms warrant urgent medical evaluation. Seek prompt medical attention for a sudden extremely severe headache, new weakness or numbness, difficulty speaking or seeing, confusion, loss of consciousness, seizure, significant head trauma, fever with severe headache or neck stiffness, a major change in an established headache pattern, or other severe or unusual symptoms.
These symptoms should not be self-diagnosed or assumed to be musculoskeletal. Emergency evaluation may be appropriate depending on the situation.
Patient Experiences
See What Our Patients Say
Why Delta
Why Choose Delta Chiropractic?
Personalized Evaluation
Care begins with understanding your headache pattern, health history, neck symptoms and movement.
Conservative Approach
Recommendations depend on examination findings and individual needs.
Appropriate Referral
Symptoms suggesting another type of evaluation is needed should be referred appropriately.
Rochester Hills Location
Conveniently located on S Rochester Road in Rochester Hills.
Meet Your Chiropractor
Meet Dr. Justin Berlin
Dr. Justin Berlin is the owner of Delta Chiropractic and a 2006 graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic. A lifelong Michigander with a background in junior and college hockey, he has personal familiarity with sports-related injuries and an interest in helping patients remain active and function comfortably.
Frequently Asked Questions
Headache Chiropractic Care FAQs
Can a chiropractor help with headaches?
For some people whose headaches are associated with neck or musculoskeletal factors, chiropractic care may help improve cervical mobility and address contributing musculoskeletal limitations. An evaluation is needed to determine whether this type of care is appropriate.
Can neck problems cause headaches?
Yes. Some headache patterns can be associated with structures in the neck, muscle tension or cervical joint dysfunction. However, headaches have many possible causes and not every headache originates from the neck.
What is a cervicogenic headache?
A cervicogenic headache is head pain associated with a problem originating from structures in the cervical region. Symptoms may occur with neck pain or reduced neck mobility, but an evaluation is needed to determine the cause.
What does a neck-related headache feel like?
It may occur with neck pain, reduced neck movement or pain beginning near the neck or base of the skull. Symptoms alone cannot confirm that a headache originates from the neck.
Can tight neck muscles cause headaches?
Neck and shoulder muscle tension can be associated with some headache patterns, but muscle tension is not the only possible cause of headaches.
Can poor posture contribute to headaches?
Sustained positions and posture may contribute to neck or muscle strain in some people, which can accompany certain headache patterns. Headaches can also have many other causes.
Can looking at a computer all day contribute to headaches?
Long periods at a computer may be associated with eyestrain, sustained posture or neck and shoulder tension. Taking breaks and evaluating persistent symptoms can be helpful.
Can headaches start at the base of the skull?
Yes. Some headache patterns can begin near the upper neck or base of the skull. Other conditions can produce similar symptoms, so location alone does not establish a diagnosis.
What is a tension headache?
Tension-type headache commonly involves pressure or tightness and may occur with neck or shoulder muscle tension in some people. Muscle tension is not necessarily the sole cause.
Is a migraine the same as a headache?
No. Migraine is a neurological disorder that can cause headache along with symptoms such as nausea, light sensitivity, sound sensitivity and other neurological features.
Can chiropractic care cure migraines?
No. Chiropractic care should not be presented as a cure for migraine. Migraine is a neurological disorder. Some patients may also have musculoskeletal or neck-related factors that can be evaluated separately.
Can an auto accident cause headaches?
Yes. Headaches can occur after an accident for multiple reasons, including neck strain, whiplash-associated symptoms, muscle tension or head injury. Significant trauma or neurological symptoms warrant medical evaluation.
Can whiplash cause headaches?
Headaches can occur with whiplash-associated symptoms after a collision. Because post-accident headaches can also involve head injury or other trauma, appropriate evaluation is important.
Why do I have neck pain and headaches together?
Neck pain and headache can occur together for several reasons, including musculoskeletal factors, but their presence together does not prove that the neck is the source of the headache.
What happens during a chiropractic headache evaluation?
The visit may include a health and headache history, evaluation of relevant neck movement, joint mobility and muscle tension, and additional screening when appropriate. Recommendations depend on the findings.
Will I need X-rays for headaches?
Not every patient needs X-rays. Imaging may be considered when clinically appropriate based on your history, symptoms and examination findings.
How do I know if my headache is coming from my neck?
Features such as neck pain, reduced neck mobility or symptoms affected by neck movement may be relevant, but they cannot confirm the cause on their own. A clinical evaluation is needed.
When should I worry about a headache?
A sudden extremely severe headache, new neurological symptoms, significant head trauma, confusion, seizure, loss of consciousness or a major change in your usual headache pattern warrants prompt medical evaluation.
What headache symptoms require urgent medical attention?
Seek urgent medical attention for symptoms such as sudden severe headache, new weakness or numbness, difficulty speaking or seeing, confusion, loss of consciousness, seizure, significant head trauma, or fever with severe headache or neck stiffness.
Where can I see a chiropractor for headaches in Rochester Hills?
Delta Chiropractic is located at 1136 S Rochester Rd Suite B, Rochester Hills, MI 48307. Call (248) 963-8181 or request an appointment online.
Convenient Rochester Hills Location
Headache Chiropractic Care in Rochester Hills
Delta Chiropractic
1136 S Rochester Rd Suite B
Rochester Hills, MI 48307
Phone: (248) 963-8181
Ready to Get Started?
Schedule Your Headache Evaluation in Rochester Hills
If recurring headaches are accompanied by neck pain, stiffness or other musculoskeletal concerns, schedule an evaluation with Delta Chiropractic to determine whether conservative chiropractic care may be appropriate for you.