Do you suffer from headaches in Mt Laurel Township NJ? Headaches aren’t just “a head problem.” For many people, headache pain is influenced by what’s happening in the neck, upper back, jaw, nervous system sensitivity, sleep, stress load, and muscle tension patterns. That’s why a conservative, hands-on approach like chiropractic care is often explored—especially when headaches are frequent, recurring, or linked to posture and neck discomfort.

Below are practical, research-supported ways chiropractic care may help, plus which headache types tend to respond best.

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1) The strongest evidence: Cervicogenic headaches- headaches driven by the neck

If your headaches commonly start at the base of the skull, come with neck stiffness, worsen with certain head positions, or feel “one-sided” and mechanical, they may fit a cervicogenic headache pattern (headache originating from structures in the neck).

What chiropractic may do here:

• Improve joint motion in restricted cervical/thoracic segments
• Reduce sensitivity from irritated neck structures
• Address contributing muscle tension and movement habits
• Pair manual therapy with corrective exercise (often key)

What PubMed research shows:
A meta-analysis focusing on chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) for cervicogenic headache found meaningful improvements in pain and disability outcomes across trials, supporting SMT as a management option. (PubMed)
A separate systematic review concluded that chiropractic manual therapy plus exercise can reduce intensity, frequency, and disability—while noting risk-of-bias varies across studies (so quality matters). (PubMed)

Option to consider: a combined plan that includes chiropractic spinal adjustments and a home program for posture, deep neck flexor endurance, and upper-back mobility—because this “two-part” approach is often where results stack.

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2) Tension-type headaches: promising for many patients in Mt Laurel Township NJ

Tension-type headaches often feel like a tight band around the head, pressure behind the eyes, or diffuse aching associated with stress, prolonged sitting, jaw clenching, and upper-trap/neck tension. Here, the goal is usually to reduce the musculoskeletal “load” (or tension) that keeps the system wound up.

What chiropractic may do here:

• Reduce neck and upper-back stiffness that perpetuates muscle guarding
• Decrease trigger point sensitivity in suboccipitals/traps
• Improve ergonomics and movement strategies that feed recurring tension

What PubMed research shows:
A systematic review evaluating chiropractic spinal manipulation for tension-type headache reported that evidence exists that this can be a widely successful approach. (PubMed)
Broader manual-therapy evidence for tension-type headache also shows potential benefit, though results vary and depend on the specific intervention mix and patient selection. (PubMed)

Options to consider:

• Chiropractic care combined with soft-tissue work (neck/jaw/upper back)
• Ergonomic and “micro-break” strategies for desk workers
• Simple daily mobility + breathing drills to downshift neck tension patterns

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3) Migraine: evidence exists that Chiropractic greatly reduces the frequency and severity of migraines

Migraine is a neurological condition, but many migraine sufferers also have neck pain, movement sensitivity, and musculoskeletal triggers that can amplify attacks. Some people pursue chiropractic care as a non-drug or integrative option.

What chiropractic may do (for some patients):

• Reduce neck-related triggers (mobility restrictions, muscular tension)
• Improve movement tolerance and postural endurance
• Support stress-load management through physical calming inputs

What PubMed research shows:
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials concluded chiropractic spinal manipulation may reduce migraine pain/disability measures. (PubMed)
A well-known randomized, placebo-controlled trial investigated chiropractic SMT for migraine, contributing to the clinical discussion on potential benefit for select patients. (PubMed)

Options to consider (especially if you have migraine):

• A co-managed plan: chiropractic + your prescribing clinician/neurologist
• A trial of care focused on neck mobility, thoracic motion, and soft tissue—tracking migraine days and medication use
• If migraines are severe/atypical: prioritize medical evaluation first, then add conservative care if appropriate

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4) What a headache-focused chiropractic plan often includes

Rather than “just cracking the neck,” modern headache care at Freedom Chiropractic is typically a layered approach. Depending on imaging findings, options may include:

• Upper cervical specific (C1/C2 vertebrae) chiropractic adjustments and spinal manipulation or mobilization (neck and/or upper back)
• Soft-tissue techniques for suboccipitals, SCM, upper traps, jaw muscles
• Posture/ergonomic coaching (desk, pillow, driving posture)
• Corrective exercises (deep neck flexors, scapular stability, thoracic mobility)
• Trigger education and progress tracking (frequency, intensity, duration, triggers)

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5) Quick safety note: when to get checked urgently

Seek urgent medical evaluation if headache is sudden and severe (“thunderclap”), accompanied by fainting, new weakness/numbness, confusion, vision loss, fever/neck rigidity, head trauma, or is a new headache pattern after age 50.

Ready to finally address your headaches? Reach out and we’ll see if we can help.

Freedom Chiropractic
4516 Church Rd. Mount Laurel, NJ 08054
Phone: (856) 552-0570