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Finding Relief: Understanding Your Headaches and Natural Treatment Options

 

If you’ve ever had a headache that just won’t go away, you’re not alone. Headaches are one of the most common health complaints—and they come in different forms. The good news? There are natural, drug-free treatments that can help.

🧠 What Kind of Headache Do You Have?

 

 

 

🌿Natural Therapies That Can Help

1. Chiropractic Care

Chiropractors use gentle spinal adjustments to improve alignment and reduce tension in your muscles and nerves.

  • Tension & Cervicogenic Headaches: Chiropractic adjustments can relieve pressure in the neck and upper back, which often helps reduce headache frequency and intensity.

  • Migraines: While migraines are more complex, many people find that chiropractic care helps reduce neck tension and may lower the number of migraine days.

🧠 Bonus: Chiropractors often give advice on posture, stress management, and exercises to help prevent future headaches.

2. Dry Needling

Dry needling uses very thin needles to release tight “knots” in your muscles, especially in the neck and shoulders.

  • How It Helps: By targeting trigger points, dry needling can reduce muscle tension and improve blood flow—both of which can ease headache pain.

  • Best For: Tension headaches and cervicogenic headaches. Some people with migraines also report fewer symptoms after treatment.

⚠️ Note: Dry needling is safe when performed by trained professionals, but it’s not available in every state.

3. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese therapy that uses fine needles placed at specific points on the body to restore balance and relieve pain.

  • Tension Headaches: Acupuncture can reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches.

  • Migraines: Studies show acupuncture may be as effective as some medications in preventing migraines—with fewer side effects.

  • Cervicogenic Headaches: Acupuncture can help relax tight neck muscles and improve mobility.

🌟 Good to Know: Acupuncture is gentle, relaxing, and has very few side effects.

✅ What’s Right for You?

Everyone’s body is different. Some people find relief with just one therapy, while others benefit most from a combination. Here’s a quick guide:

💬 Final Thoughts

If headaches are interfering with your life, you don’t have to suffer in silence. Natural therapies like chiropractic care, dry needling, and acupuncture offer safe, effective options—often without the side effects of medication.

Talk to your healthcare provider to find the right combination for you. Relief might be closer than you think.

 

Clinical Comparison of Headache Types

  • Vincent MB & Luna RA (1999). Cervicogenic Headache: A Comparison with Migraine and Tension-Type Headache.
    This study evaluated diagnostic criteria and clinical features across 127 patients with cervicogenic, migraine, and tension-type headaches. It found clear distinctions in pain origin, radiation, and response to neck movement.
    Read the full article (Cephalalgia) [Cervicogen...e Headache]

 

Chiropractic Care

  • Moore et al. (2018). The Management of Common Recurrent Headaches by Chiropractors: A Descriptive Analysis.
    A national survey of chiropractors showed that spinal manipulation, soft tissue therapy, and exercise prescription are commonly used for migraines, tension-type, and cervicogenic headaches.
    Read the full study (BMC Neurology) [The manage...ors: a ...]

 

Dry Needling

  • Pourahmadi et al. (2021). Dry Needling for the Treatment of Tension-Type, Cervicogenic, or Migraine Headaches: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
    This meta-analysis found that dry needling significantly improves headache-related disability and cervical range of motion in tension-type and cervicogenic headaches. Effects on migraine pain intensity were less conclusive.
    Read the full article (Oxford Academic) [Dry Needli...ic, or ...]

 

Acupuncture

  • Guo et al. (2023). Acupuncture for the Treatment of Migraine: An Overview of Systematic Reviews.
    This overview of systematic reviews concluded that acupuncture is more effective than sham or medication in reducing migraine frequency and intensity, with a favorable safety profile.
    Read the full article (Springer) [Acupunctur...ematic ...]

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Hours for Chiropractic Care: (Hours Subject to Change)

  • Monday 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm

  • Tuesday 10:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

  • Thursday 8:00 am to 11:00 am and 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm

  • Friday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

All Services offered in Sentara's office at 984 Laskin Rd, Ste B, Virginia Beach VA 23451, please call 757-395-6900 for your appointment

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  • Chiropractic

  • Acupuncture

  • Massage Therapy

  • Dry Needling

  • Physical Therapy 

  • Family Practice

  • Internal Medicine

  • Sick Care Walk-in clinic

Dr. Gregory Schierer is located at 984 Laskin Rd Ste B, Virginia Beach, VA 23451.  Please call (757) 395-6900 to schedule or for questions.

Click Here for Sentara Chiropractic and Therapy Center's Website

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