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In this episode of the By Design Chiropractic podcast, Dr. Wittwer dives into one of the most common yet misunderstood health issues people face: headaches and migraines. He explains the key differences between the two and why it matters for how you respond to them.
Rather than simply masking the pain, Dr. Wittwer explores what your body might actually be communicating when headaches show up regularly. Listeners will come away with a clearer understanding of the underlying signals their body may be sending.
If you or someone you love deals with frequent headaches or migraines, this episode offers valuable insight into why chiropractic care may be a meaningful part of finding lasting relief. Tune in and learn how to start listening to your body more effectively.
Hey there, and welcome back. I’m Doctor Wittwer, and you’re listening to the By Design Chiropractic podcast, coming to you from right here in Ponderay, Idaho. Today we’re talking about something that affects so many people and yet is so often misunderstood. We’re talking about headaches versus migraines, and more importantly, what your body might actually be trying to tell you when they show up.
Now, here’s the thing. Almost everyone gets headaches at some point. But when they start showing up regularly, or when they stop you in your tracks, that’s when people start to wonder… is this just a headache, or is something more going on? And that’s a really important question to ask.
Let’s start by breaking down the difference. A tension headache, which is the most common kind, usually feels like a dull, steady pressure. Kind of like a tight band wrapped around your head. You might feel it across your forehead, on the sides of your head, or at the base of your skull. These are often related to muscle tension in the neck and shoulders, stress, poor posture, or long hours sitting at a desk or looking at a screen.
Migraines are a whole different experience. They’re typically more intense, often on one side of the head, and they can come with nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and sometimes visual disturbances called an aura. Migraines can knock you out for hours, sometimes a full day or longer. They’re not just a bad headache. They’re a neurological event, and they deserve real attention.
Here’s what’s interesting, and this is something I talk about with patients all the time. A lot of headaches, including some migraines, have a connection to the neck and spine. The upper cervical spine, which is the top portion of your neck, has a very close relationship with the nerves and blood vessels that serve the head. When the joints and muscles in that area aren’t moving properly, or when there’s tension and irritation building up, it can absolutely contribute to headache patterns.
We see this constantly in practice. Someone comes in saying they’ve had headaches for years, and when we look at how their neck is moving and how their posture is holding up, there’s almost always something going on that’s adding fuel to the fire.
Now, what can you do starting today? First, pay attention to your posture. If your head is sitting forward of your shoulders, that’s extra load on your neck muscles and joints. Even small corrections throughout the day can make a real difference. Second, stay hydrated. Dehydration is one of the most common and most overlooked headache triggers. Third, take note of your patterns. What time of day do your headaches come on? What were you doing beforehand? Are there certain foods, sleep changes, or stressors that seem to be connected? That information is incredibly valuable.
And here’s when you should really think about coming in to see us. If your headaches are happening more than a couple of times a week, if they’re getting worse over time, if over-the-counter medication stops working, or if your headaches are affecting your ability to function at work or at home, those are signs that your body is asking for more than just a quick fix.
Chiropractic care can help address the underlying mechanical issues in the neck and spine that may be contributing to your headache pattern. We’re not talking about masking the symptom. We’re talking about getting to the root of what might be driving it.
And of course, if you ever experience a sudden, severe headache unlike any you’ve had before, or if a headache comes with confusion, vision changes, or weakness, please seek emergency care right away. That’s your body sending a very urgent message.
Alright, let’s wrap it up. If you’ve been living with headaches and just kind of pushing through them, I want you to know there may be more options available to you than you realize. You don’t have to just manage and cope. You deserve to actually feel better.
If you’re in the Ponderay area and you’d like to come in and talk through what you’re experiencing, we would love to see you at By Design Chiropractic. Give us a call, check us out online, or just stop by. We’re here to help.
Thanks so much for listening today. Take care of yourselves, and we’ll talk again soon.
