The Role of Posture in Headaches
Many people don’t realise that their migraines could be linked to how they sit or stand. Poor posture, especially forward head posture, can strain neck muscles and irritate nerves that influence migraine episodes.
If your head leans forward even a few centimetres, it increases the load on your neck significantly. Over time, this constant pressure can compress blood vessels and nerves that feed into the head, increasing the likelihood of headaches and migraines. Tight muscles at the base of the skull, known as suboccipital muscles, can trigger tension and pain that radiates around the head.
A Common but Overlooked Cause
At Waterloo Chiropractic, we see this pattern often. Patients who have tried everything, from medication to dietary changes, but haven’t considered their spinal alignment. After a detailed posture and movement assessment, we often uncover hidden mechanical stress that contributes to their migraines.
One study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy reduced the frequency, duration, and intensity of migraines in some patients (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10714531/).
Chiropractic Care for Migraine Relief
Our chiropractors use gentle spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and stretching techniques to ease this tension. We also coach you on posture, especially while sitting at a desk or using digital devices. By improving spinal function and alignment, we aim to reduce migraine frequency, intensity, and duration.
Our approach includes education around movement, breathing, hydration, and sleep. Small adjustments to your daily habits can add up to a significant reduction in migraine episodes.
We also understand that migraines can be complex and influenced by multiple factors. That’s why we take a collaborative approach, working alongside other healthcare professionals when necessary.
You don’t have to accept migraines as part of your life. If you haven’t explored the postural connection, you might be missing a key piece of the puzzle. Let us help you uncover the underlying causes and build a plan that works for you.
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