HEADACHE SPECIALIST
Dr. Hoffman is expertly trained in the treatment of headaches particularly tension type headaches which are the most common cause of headaches. He is also expertly trained in treating other headaches such as migraine headaches. He has been helping his patients in Rego Park/ Forest Hills/ Elmhurst and surrounding Queens neighborhoods relieve chronic headaches for the past 15 years. If you suffer from headaches relief is only a phone call away.
What are the most common causes of headaches?
Headaches, primarily tension type headaches, which are usually referred to as stress headaches and migraine headaches are the two most common headaches seen in my office. I have found that stress plays a major role in the formation of many headaches. Tight muscles at the base of the skull and tight musculature in the upper aspect of the neck tighten and compress several nerves in the upper cervical spine. Because the neck connects to the head having dysfunction in the neck such as subluxations (bones out of their normal alignment) and tight musculature will have an impact on the head leading to headaches. This is particularly true with tension type headaches. There are many other kinds of headaches and many other factors contribute to them such as stress, lack of sleep, loud noise, tight headwear and even wearing glasses or contacts with out dated prescriptions. Visiting a chiropractor and getting a complete and thorough examination of your neck and back is the best way to determine if your headaches are coming from your spine.
Does chiropractic help with the treatment of headaches?
Yes it does. As long as the origin of the headache is in the spine. In my years of experience this is most often the case. I have had incredible results treating headaches over the years. I remember several patients who came to visit me after seeing several other specialists. They all reported having test after test and all tests kept coming back normal but the headaches just wouldn’t seem to go away. The thing that stood out the most to me is that not even once did the specialist simply touch the neck or examine the neck whatsoever. This is usually the case. Most headaches are tension type headaches (stress headaches) or migraine headaches and the neck must be examined to determine exactly what is going on and causing the headaches. The neck must be treated in order to help correct the problem. Migraine headaches are more difficult to treat regardless of how you choose to treat them. I would like to point out that the cause of migraine headaches is not known. In my experience the best approach in dealing with migraine headaches is through chiropractic care combined with the proper medication. There is always a tension component to migraine headaches and the musculature at the base of the skull and upper part of the neck must be corrected. A gentle chiropractic adjustment to the upper cervical vertebrae is very helpful. I know most chiropractors would disagree and tell you never to take medication for anything; 99% of the time I would agree but with migraine headaches I have found medication definitely helps.
How can you avoid getting headaches?
The first thing you need to do is have regular chiropractic check-ups to check for any spinal problems before they develop and give you symptoms. Pain including headache pain doesn’t just come out of the blue. There is dysfunction of a particular area and over time it continues to worsen and one day a person has symptoms (pain). This is true with most conditions as well as headaches with origin in the neck. Most of us living in and around New York City have stress and need to combat the effects of stress. Stress reduction techniques help with several types of headaches. Deep breathing and meditation are very helpful are very easy to do. Maintaining a healthy diet and keeping a healthy weight, getting plenty of water and proper nutrition always helps as well.
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