Headaches Treated in Redlands
Headache Treatment in Redlands, CA
If you suffer from frequent or chronic headaches, you have probably tried a variety of treatments. At Chiropractic Sports & Injury Center, Dr. Bruce Humphries, DC has treated hundreds of patients with headaches and has seen a great deal of misunderstanding and misdiagnosis. By identifying the true type of headache you have, we can treat its cause and help you get lasting relief.
Common Types of Headaches
There are many causes of headaches. Some of the most common include tension headaches, migraines, sinus headaches, and TMJ headaches.
Tension headaches are the most common type. They result from muscle tension, usually in the neck muscles, so they can be thought of as “neck headaches.” Tension headaches are often correctly diagnosed but poorly treated.
Migraine headaches are commonly diagnosed, but in Dr. Humphries’ experience they are often over-diagnosed, both by doctors and by patients themselves. A few key symptoms help identify migraines: pain on one side of the head at a time, sensitivity to light and sound (wanting to lie in a dark, quiet room), or an aura that lasts 10–30 minutes before the headache begins. These can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite, and the pain can be excruciating.
Sinus headaches are commonly self-diagnosed, and usually incorrectly. A true sinus headache is caused by pressure in the sinuses during an illness such as a sinus infection, with a runny nose, postnasal drip, and pressure behind the nose. Many people who believe they have sinus headaches have no cold or sinus symptoms at all.
TMJ headaches are what many of these non-sinus, non-migraine sufferers actually have. TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, the jaw joint. In TMJ dysfunction (TMD), the jaw is out of balance and the jaw muscles are in spasm. TMJ headaches are a type of muscle-tension headache. If you get headaches in your temples, you may have TMJ headaches, and they are frequently misdiagnosed. You can also have more than one type of headache.
Less common headaches include cluster headaches and headaches caused by medications, hormones, and other factors.
Treating TMJ Headaches
TMJ headaches are very common and often missed. Try this simple self-test during or near the start of a headache:
- Does your headache start near your temples rather than at the back of your neck?
- Place your fingers on your temples, just behind your forehead, and clench and relax your teeth. You should feel the temporalis muscle contract.
- Press firmly into the muscle and move your fingers around an inch or so to a few spots. Is it tender? Does it recreate your headache?
If so, you may have TMJ headaches rather than migraines or sinus headaches. TMJ headaches are usually felt on both sides of the head, though one side may be worse and pain may radiate to the eye. Migraines, by contrast, are usually one-sided.
Dr. Humphries has treated hundreds of patients with TMJ. He uses a variety of therapies and gives patients home instructions. Short-term TMJ headaches, caused by something like a hit to the jaw, a temporary dental problem, or regular gum chewing, usually respond well and often resolve completely. Chronic TMJ headaches are different. People who have had them for years often hold stress in their jaw muscles and may grind their teeth at night, and they may benefit from a night splint (mouth guard). For these patients, the goal is to reduce how often and how intensely headaches occur. Fewer and milder headaches can greatly improve quality of life.
Treating Tension Headaches
Tension headaches are usually neck headaches caused by neck muscle spasm and locked-up neck joints. When your neck locks up, pain can radiate up into your head. Chiropractic care is often an excellent option because releasing that “lock-up” is a big step toward correcting these headaches. Learn more about neck pain treatment.
Additional treatments include heat for muscle spasm, cold for swelling, massage therapy, muscle stimulation, stretching, neck exercises, acupuncture, and lifestyle changes such as better ergonomics and correct sleeping posture, including proper pillow use.
Migraines and Chiropractic Care
Medical treatment of migraines, including medication, should be discussed with your medical doctor. Chiropractors can often help when a migraine has a mechanical origin. Migraines have various triggers such as stress, alcohol, or certain foods, and a locked-up neck is a common one. Many patients notice their neck locking up shortly before a migraine develops. By taking care of the neck, chiropractic may help remove that trigger. Many migraine sufferers report relief with chiropractic care.
Because TMJ headaches are so often mistaken for migraines, it’s worth getting checked for TMJ too. Start with the self-test above.
Learn More
Dr. Humphries covers headaches in his book Pain Free: Uncommon Solutions for Common Injuries. Visit our Articles and Books page. Headaches can also follow auto accidents and sports injuries. See all conditions we treat and what to expect at your first visit.
Headache FAQs
Can a chiropractor help with headaches?
Yes. Chiropractic care often helps tension headaches and TMJ headaches and may reduce migraine triggers related to the neck.
How do I know if I have a TMJ headache?
If your headache starts near your temples and pressing on the temple muscles is tender or recreates your headache, you may have TMJ headaches.
Are my headaches really migraines?
Not always. Migraines are usually one-sided and often come with light and sound sensitivity or an aura. Many headaches labeled as migraines are actually TMJ or tension headaches.
What causes tension headaches?
Tension headaches are usually caused by neck muscle spasm and locked-up neck joints that send pain up into the head.
Do I have a sinus headache?
True sinus headaches happen with sinus illness, such as a runny nose, postnasal drip, and pressure behind the nose. Without those symptoms, it’s likely another type of headache.
Can a mouth guard help TMJ headaches?
People who grind their teeth at night often benefit from night splinting, which can reduce the frequency and intensity of TMJ headaches.
When should I see a doctor right away for a headache?
Seek emergency care for a sudden, severe headache, a headache after head trauma, or one with confusion, weakness, vision loss, fever, or a stiff neck.
Get Relief From Your Headaches
If you think you have TMJ or tension headaches, give us a call. Contact Chiropractic Sports & Injury Center at (909) 793-9787 or request an appointment online.