Title: Your Summer Headache Might Not Be Dehydration…
June is National Migraine & Headache Awareness Month — and if you've ever reached for water or painkillers thinking your headache was just from heat or stress, you’re not alone.
While dehydration is a common culprit in summer months, not all headaches are created equal. Many people walk around with chronic or recurring headaches, not realizing they could stem from posture, tension, nerve irritation, or even neck dysfunction. Let’s break down some of the most common types of headaches, how to recognize them, and how chiropractic care might help.
1. Tension-Type Headaches
What It Feels Like:
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A dull, achy pressure or tightness around the forehead or the back of the head/neck
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Feels like a “band” tightening around your head
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Often starts in the afternoon or after long periods of sitting or screen time
What Causes It:
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Muscle tension in the neck, shoulders, and upper back
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Poor posture or ergonomics
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Stress and fatigue
What Helps:
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Regular breaks from screens
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Stress management (movement, sleep, mindfulness)
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Myofascial release or massage
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Chiropractic adjustments to relieve tension in the cervical spine and shoulders
2. Cervicogenic Headaches
What It Feels Like:
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Starts at the base of the skull and radiates to the front of the head or behind the eye
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Often one-sided
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Can mimic a migraine, but without visual aura or nausea
What Causes It:
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Dysfunction in the neck joints (especially C1–C3)
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Poor mobility or stiffness in the cervical spine
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Often seen after whiplash or chronic postural strain
What Helps:
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Chiropractic adjustments to restore cervical joint function
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Soft tissue work to reduce referred muscle tension
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Mobility exercises to improve neck control and posture
3. Migraine Headaches
What It Feels Like:
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Throbbing or pulsing pain, often on one side
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Accompanied by nausea, light/sound sensitivity, or visual disturbances (auras)
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Can last hours to days
What Causes It:
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Neurological and vascular changes in the brain
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Triggers vary: hormonal changes, sleep disruption, certain foods, bright lights, or stress
What Helps:
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Identifying and avoiding personal triggers
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Stress reduction and consistent sleep routines
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Chiropractic care may help by improving nervous system regulation and reducing musculoskeletal stressors that contribute to migraines
4. Cluster Headaches
What It Feels Like:
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Severe, stabbing pain around one eye or temple
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Happens in “clusters” — multiple attacks over a period of days or weeks
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Often accompanied by eye redness, tearing, or nasal congestion on the affected side
What Causes It:
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The exact cause is unclear, but thought to involve the hypothalamus and trigeminal nerve
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May be seasonal and triggered by alcohol, strong smells, or sleep issues
What Helps:
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Medical management is essential — often includes oxygen therapy or prescribed medications
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Chiropractic may help reduce general stress and muscular triggers, though this type requires co-management with a physician or neurologist
5. Sinus Headaches
What It Feels Like:
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Pressure or pain around the cheeks, forehead, or behind the eyes
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Often comes with nasal congestion or seasonal allergies
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Worse when bending forward
What Causes It:
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Inflammation in the sinus cavities (often from allergies or infection)
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Poor drainage and sinus pressure buildup
What Helps:
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Saline rinses and antihistamines for allergies
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Staying hydrated
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Chiropractic care may help improve sinus drainage through soft tissue work around the face and lymphatic support
So, Can Chiropractic Help?
Yes — depending on the type of headache and its underlying cause.
At Sonoma Sports & Family Chiropractic, we assess for:
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Cervical joint mobility
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Muscular tension or trigger points
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Postural strain (especially in the neck and upper back)
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Movement patterns and stress response
Our approach often includes spinal adjustments, myofascial release, cupping, and targeted rehab to reduce tension, improve blood flow, and restore balance in the nervous system.
If you’re unsure whether your headache is structural, stress-related, or something else, we’re happy to help you figure it out.
Tired of reaching for painkillers every time your head throbs? Let’s get to the root cause.
Schedule a consult with Dr. Myra-Ashley Amparo at Sonoma Sports & Family Chiropractic and feel the difference a movement-based, whole-body approach can make.
