Migraines, cluster headaches and tension headaches are a common source of chronic and recurring pain for both men and women, and even some teens and children. Most headaches are caused by a combination of circulation- and nerve-related issues, as well as muscle tension and strain, requiring a comprehensive approach to relieve symptoms and to help prevent them from recurring. As a top-rated chiropractor in Oceanside, New York, Dr. William V. Salvatore has extensive experience in developing customized treatment plans for headaches, helping patients relieve symptoms and improve their quality of life. His goal is to ensure each patient gets relief quickly, and enjoys long-lasting results from chiropractic care. He will always make time during appointments to listen to each patient’s concerns, and address them to improve the overall treatment experience.

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What are migraines?

Migraines are severe headaches often accompanied by symptoms like nausea, extreme sensitivity to light or sound, visual disturbances called “aura.” The specific cause of migraines isn’t known, but research indicates both circulation and nerve-related factors play a role. People who have migraines may also experience tunnel vision or blurry “spots” in their line of vision, and sometimes these visual disturbances can occur even without painful symptoms.

What are cluster and tension headaches?

Cluster headaches are severe headaches that tend to occur in clusters, with many headaches occurring over a period of a few days, followed by a period of weeks or months when these severe headaches don’t occur. Tension headaches are very common, occurring when stress causes the muscles in the neck and upper back to tighten and stiffen. Tension headaches can also be caused by poor posture and other issues that cause strain on the spine and back muscles, including repetitive lifting and carrying heavy or uneven loads.

How are migraines and headaches treated?

Because migraines and other types of headaches typically involve nerve and circulation issues, chiropractic care can be an excellent treatment option to provide both immediate and long-term relief of symptoms. Spinal adjustments help optimize the alignment of the spine bones, relieving nerve compressions and improving circulation. When the spine is properly aligned, uneven strains and stresses in the surrounding muscles and ligaments can also be relieved and rebalanced. In addition, patients are provided with lifestyle guidance to help them improve habits that could be causing or contributing to headaches to foster long-term relief of symptoms and, ideally, prevent future headaches from occurring.

Will I need to have ongoing treatment?

That depends on the type of headache and its underlying cause. Many patients opt to have ongoing chiropractic treatments to maintain optimal alignment of the spine, reducing the likelihood of strains that can cause nerve impingements and pain and interfere with normal nerve signaling. Dr. Salvatore focuses on creating individualized treatment plans based on the specific needs of the patient for optimal, long-term results.