Headache and Migraine Care in New Berlin
If you are searching for a migraine chiropractor New Berlin offers, you probably want to know what kind of headache you are dealing with, what sets it off and when it needs a medical doctor first. This page walks through all three, plus what an adjustment feels like in our office.
At Advantage Chiropractic in New Berlin, Dr. Evan Norum and Dr. Taylor Moore look for the cause of symptoms and explain what they find in plain language. Many recurring headaches go along with a tight, stiff neck, so the neck and upper back are a natural place to look. Below you will find how to tell headache types apart, common triggers, simple things to try at home, the warning signs that call for emergency care and what happens at your first visit.
Our Migraine Chiropractors in New Berlin, WI
Understanding Your Headaches
Headache is a broad word, and the first step toward relief is knowing which kind you have. A migraine is usually a throbbing pain, often on one side, that can come with nausea or sensitivity to light and sound, and sometimes an aura such as flashing lights. A tension type headache feels like a dull, tight band around the head and goes along with tight muscles in the neck, shoulders and jaw. A neck related headache, called cervicogenic, starts in the neck, usually on one side, and often gets worse with certain neck movements. A medical doctor makes a migraine diagnosis.
Plenty of people have a mix. You might get a tight band across your forehead on a long work day and a throbbing one sided attack after a bad night of sleep. Noticing where the pain starts, how long it lasts and what you were doing beforehand tells you a great deal.
Common Triggers to Watch For
Triggers differ from person to person, and one alone often does not do it. The usual suspects include stress, poor sleep, skipped meals, dehydration, alcohol, strong smells, bright or flickering light, weather changes, long hours at a screen and hormonal changes.
A simple headache diary makes your own pattern easier to see. Write down the date, how long the headache lasted, which side hurt, any other symptoms, what you ate and drank, how you slept and any medicine you took. A few weeks of notes often show links you could not see before. Regular meals, plenty of water, steady sleep and a quiet, dark room when an attack starts are easy places to begin.
Sleep, Screens and Posture
Your daily habits feed straight into your head and neck. Too little sleep, or sleep that swings from night to night, is one of the most common triggers people notice. A regular bedtime and wake time helps. A pillow that keeps your neck level instead of tilted up or down is worth a try as well.
Screens add strain in two ways. Hours of staring tire the eyes, and a head pushed forward toward a laptop or phone loads the muscles at the back of the neck. Take a break every 30 minutes or so, look at something far away, raise the screen to eye level and keep your shoulders relaxed. If your neck feels stiff and sore too, our neck pain page explains more about how our doctors look at the neck.
Caffeine and Headaches
Caffeine cuts both ways. A small amount can ease some headaches, which is why it shows up in a number of over the counter pain relievers. Too much, or stopping suddenly after drinking it daily, can bring headaches on. The simplest approach is a steady amount at about the same time each day. If you reach for pain relievers on most days, talk with your medical doctor, because frequent use can keep headaches coming back.
How Our Doctors Approach Headaches
Your first appointment lasts 30 to 60 minutes and includes our 54 Point Neurological and Spinal Evaluation, which shows how well your brain and body are communicating and where nerve interference may be. If X rays are needed, they are taken in the office with high resolution digital imaging, using a motion study approach so the doctors can see how your spine moves. X rays are taken only if indicated. Our new patient page has the full details.
At the Report of Findings, usually your second visit, the doctors review your exam and any X rays with you, tell you what they found, how they can help and how long it should take. Corrective care begins after that, using the Torque Release Technique.
The Torque Release Technique is gentle and noninvasive. Instead of twisting, pulling or cracking your neck, the doctor uses a handheld instrument called the Integrator to deliver a quick, light impulse. Most patients describe it as a light, localized tap, and the technique is used for patients of all ages, which makes it a comfortable choice for people who feel nervous about neck work.
Dr. Moore understands headaches firsthand. As a young hockey player he had frequent headaches until a chiropractor introduced him to spinal adjustments, and he went on to become a chiropractor himself.
You do not need a referral to see us. We frequently collaborate with primary care physicians and specialists, and if a condition needs medical care outside our scope, we refer you to the right specialist. If we are not the right fit, we will point you to someone who is.
When to See a Medical Doctor First
Some headaches need emergency care before anything else. The Cleveland Clinic and the NHS list the signs below. Call 911 or go to the emergency room for any of them.
- A sudden, severe headache that peaks within about a minute.
- Headache with a fever and a stiff neck.
- Weakness or numbness on one side of the body or face, confusion, a seizure, trouble speaking or loss of vision.
- A headache after a blow to the head.
Migraine and Headache FAQs
How can I tell a tension headache, a migraine and a neck related headache apart?
A tension headache feels like a dull, tight band on both sides. A migraine throbs, often on one side, and may bring nausea or sensitivity to light and sound. A neck related headache starts in the neck, usually on one side, and changes with neck movement.
What common triggers should I watch for?
Stress, poor sleep, skipped meals, dehydration, alcohol, strong smells, bright light, weather changes, long screen hours and hormonal changes are the most common. Keeping a simple diary of what you ate, how you slept and when each headache hit makes your own triggers easier to spot.
Can sleep, screens or posture bring on headaches?
Yes. Too little or uneven sleep is a frequent trigger. Long screen time strains the eyes, and a head pushed forward over a phone or laptop tightens the muscles at the back of the neck. Regular sleep hours, screen breaks and a screen at eye level are good first steps.
Does caffeine help or hurt headaches?
Both are possible. A small amount can ease some headaches and is found in some pain relievers. Large amounts, or stopping suddenly after drinking it daily, can trigger a headache. Keeping your intake steady from day to day usually works best.
When is a headache an emergency?
Call 911 or go to the emergency room for a sudden, severe headache that peaks within about a minute, a headache with fever and a stiff neck, weakness or numbness on one side, confusion, a seizure, trouble speaking, loss of vision or a headache after a blow to the head.
When will I hear what the plan is after my first visit?
Your first appointment is the evaluation. The Report of Findings usually happens at the second visit. The doctors review your exam and any X rays with you, tell you what they found, how they can help and how long it should take.
