Conditions
Chiropractic Care for Tension Headaches in Gettysburg, PA
Gentle, hands-on care for the dull, pressing headaches that start in a tight neck and wrap around your head - from a downtown Gettysburg chiropractor.
It starts at the base of your skull and wraps around your head like a band. By the afternoon, the dull pressure is behind your eyes and your shoulders are creeping up toward your ears. You have been at the computer all day, or you have been carrying a toddler and running errands, and now the headache that started as a tight neck has become the thing that is going to ruin your evening. Tension headaches are the most common kind of headache, and they are exhausting - not because the pain is sharp, but because they drain you for hours at a time.
If that sounds familiar, you are in the right place. This is a common reason people come in to our office in downtown Gettysburg, and it responds well to conservative, hands-on care.
What causes tension headaches
Tension headaches usually start in the neck and shoulders. Tight muscles at the base of your skull, restricted joints in your upper neck, hours looking down at a screen or a phone, stress, clenching your jaw, poor sleep, and carrying tension in your shoulders all day - these are the usual causes. The muscles get tight, the joints get stiff, and the tension travels up into your head as a dull, pressing ache. It is common, it is frustrating, and it is exactly the kind of thing this office works on.
How this office approaches tension headaches
Your first visit starts with listening - how often the headaches come, what they feel like, what you were doing when they started, and what makes them better. Then a hands-on exam of your neck, shoulders, and upper back. From there, Dr. Natalie builds a plan in plain language.
That plan may include gentle adjustments to the upper neck to help restricted joints move freely, soft tissue therapy to release the tight muscles at the base of your skull and across your shoulders, and simple posture and movement cues for your desk or your day. If your headaches need a different kind of care, she will tell you honestly.
See a doctor first if...
Some headaches need a doctor or the emergency room - not a chiropractor. See a doctor first, or go to the ER, if you have:
- • The worst headache of your life, or a sudden severe headache
- • A headache with fever and a stiff neck
- • A headache after a head injury or a fall
- • A headache with weakness, numbness, confusion, or trouble speaking
- • A headache that is steadily getting worse
- • A new kind of headache that is different from what you usually get
If any of those sound right, please call your doctor or go to the emergency department first. We will be here when you are ready for conservative care.
What relief usually looks like
With tension headaches, you usually notice the frequency before the intensity. First, the headaches come less often. Then they do not last as long when they do show up. Then you realize it has been a week since one ruined your evening. Some days will still be better than others, and that is normal. The goal is fewer headaches, shorter headaches, and a neck that does not tighten up at the first sign of stress. Your chiropractor checks in at every visit and adjusts the plan as you go.
How this fits with the rest of your care
Tension headaches and neck pain usually travel together - if your neck is stiff, that page may help. For the hands-on side, see our soft tissue therapy page for how we release the tight muscles that trigger them.
Tension headache questions, answered
Are these migraines?
We cannot diagnose that. Tension headaches and migraines are different, and some people have both. If your headaches are severe, come with vision changes or nausea, or are new and different, please see your doctor first.
Can you help with headaches from my desk job?
Often, yes. Hours looking down tighten the neck and shoulders, which is a common trigger. We work on the tight areas and show you simple changes to your setup.
Will adjusting my neck stop the headaches?
It may help. Gentle adjustments to the upper neck, plus soft tissue work, can reduce how often tension headaches come. We do not promise to stop them entirely.
Should I stop taking my headache medication?
No. Keep taking anything your doctor prescribed. We work alongside your medical care, not instead of it. Talk to your doctor before changing any medication.
What if my headaches are from stress?
Stress is a real trigger for tension headaches. We can help with the physical tightness, and we may suggest simple breathing or movement breaks. But if stress is overwhelming, your doctor or a counselor can help with that part.
Find us in downtown Gettysburg
Tension headache care is offered at our downtown Gettysburg office, 18 Carlisle St Ste 210, just north of Lincoln Square. Pan the map to plan your visit.
Let's ease the pressure.
Book a visit or call us. We will find a time that works and answer any questions you have before you come in.