If you deal with constant headaches or migraines, you know how much they can interfere with your work, family, and overall quality of life. Whether it’s a dull tension headache at the end of a long day or a full-blown migraine that shuts you down for hours, you want real relief — not another bottle of pain meds.

At Freedom Chiropractic in Billings, MT, we help patients find and fix the root cause of their pain, not just cover it up. Chiropractic care has been proven to naturally reduce both headaches and migraines by addressing the spinal, muscular, and nerve issues that often trigger them.

Headaches vs. Migraines: What’s the Difference?

Though many people use the terms interchangeably, headaches and migraines are not the same thing.

• Tension Headaches are the most common. They usually feel like a tight band around your head, often caused by muscle tension, stress, or poor posture. Long hours at a desk, dehydration, and lack of sleep can all make them worse.
• Cervicogenic Headaches originate from dysfunction in the neck — specifically from misaligned vertebrae or tight muscles that irritate surrounding nerves.
• Migraines, on the other hand, are a neurological condition. They often cause throbbing pain on one side of the head and can include symptoms like nausea, light sensitivity, and blurred vision. Migraines are often linked to stress, hormonal changes, or nerve irritation in the upper cervical spine.

How Chiropractic Care Helps Headaches

Headaches often start in the neck and shoulders — especially for people who work long hours, spend time on screens, or perform repetitive tasks. When the neck vertebrae are out of proper motion or alignment, muscles tighten and nerves become irritated. This creates referred pain that travels up into the head.

Chiropractic adjustments restore proper movement to those joints, relieve muscle tension, and allow the nervous system to function freely. Once pressure is off those nerves, the headaches often start to fade or disappear completely.

In fact, a 2016 study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that patients receiving chiropractic adjustments had significantly fewer headache episodes and required less medication than those who only used traditional treatments (Bryans et al., 2016).

How Chiropractic Care Helps Migraines

Migraines are more complex than tension headaches. They involve changes in blood flow, nerve sensitivity, and even brain chemistry. But research shows that many migraines start with dysfunction in the upper cervical spine — the top two bones in the neck that protect the brainstem.

When these vertebrae lose proper movement or alignment, they can irritate the nerves that influence blood vessels and pain pathways in the brain. Chiropractic adjustments, especially to the upper cervical spine, can help reduce this irritation and normalize communication between the brain and body.

A landmark study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that chiropractic care significantly reduced the frequency, duration, and intensity of migraines (Tuchin et al., 2000). Many patients also reported improved sleep and lower stress levels — two major migraine triggers.

Beyond Adjustments: A Whole-Body Approach

At Freedom Chiropractic, we don’t just crack your neck and send you home. We take the time to find what’s causing your headaches or migraines and create a plan that works for your lifestyle. That might include:

• Posture correction and ergonomic advice
• Targeted soft tissue work for tight neck and shoulder muscles
• Simple home exercises to strengthen weak postural muscles
• Guidance on hydration, nutrition, and sleep habits

By addressing all the factors contributing to your headaches, we help your body heal naturally — no pain pills required.

Start Finding Relief Today

You don’t have to live with constant headaches or migraines. If you’re tired of masking the pain with medication, chiropractic care may be the long-term solution you’ve been looking for.

Call Freedom Chiropractic in Billings, MT today at 406-200-7357, or visit www.FreedomChiroMT.com to schedule your appointment and start getting to the root cause of your pain.

Works Cited

• Bryans, R., Descarreaux, M., Duranleau, M., Marcoux, H., Potter, B., Ruegg, R., Shaw, L., Watkin, R., & White, E. (2016). “Evidence-Based Guidelines for the Chiropractic Treatment of Adults with Headache.” Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 39(5), 395–417.
• Tuchin, P. J., Pollard, H., & Bonello, R. (2000). “A Randomized Controlled Trial of Chiropractic Spinal Manipulative Therapy for Migraine.” Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 23(2), 91–95.