How the Neck Causes Headaches: The Role of Vertebral Subluxations & Ligament Injuries
Headaches are one of the most common health complaints, affecting millions of people daily. While many people blame stress, dehydration, or eye strain, the true cause of chronic headaches often lies in the neck. Specifically, vertebral subluxations and ligament injuries in the cervical spine can lead to persistent headaches that won’t go away with medication alone.
At Epic Life Chiropractic in Wauwatosa, Dr. Jeff Grosskopf specializes in identifying and correcting these underlying spinal issues. By using advanced X-rays and precise chiropractic techniques, he helps patients find lasting relief from headaches and neck pain without relying on drugs or surgery.
How the Neck Causes Headaches
The neck, or cervical spine, is responsible for supporting the head and allowing movement. It also houses critical nerves, blood vessels, and soft tissues that influence brain function. When the neck is injured or misaligned, it can trigger headaches through:
🔹 Nerve Irritation – Spinal misalignments (subluxations) put pressure on nerves, sending pain signals to the head.
🔹 Reduced Blood Flow – Misalignments can restrict blood flow to the brain, leading to headaches.
🔹 Muscle Tension – Ligament injuries and spinal dysfunction cause tightness in the neck muscles, leading to tension headaches.
Two of the biggest culprits behind neck-related headaches are vertebral subluxations and ligament injuries—both of which require specialized chiropractic care to correct.
Vertebral Subluxations: The Hidden Cause of Headaches
What Is a Vertebral Subluxation?
A vertebral subluxation occurs when a spinal vertebra shifts out of alignment, disrupting normal nerve function. In the neck, subluxations irritate nerves that connect to the head, often leading to chronic headaches.
Common Causes of Subluxations:
✅ Poor Posture – Sitting at a desk all day, looking down at a phone, or sleeping in the wrong position can gradually shift vertebrae out of place.
✅ Whiplash Injuries – Car accidents and sports injuries often cause rapid neck movement, leading to subluxations.
✅ Repetitive Strain – Constant head tilting, carrying heavy bags on one shoulder, or even poor workplace ergonomics contribute to spinal misalignment.
✅ Stress & Muscle Tension – Emotional stress can lead to tight muscles that pull the vertebrae out of proper alignment.
How Vertebral Subluxations Cause Headaches:
🔸 Tension Headaches – Spinal misalignments cause tight muscles, which pull on the scalp and skull, creating pressure headaches.
🔸 Migraines – When the cervical spine irritates nerves and affects blood flow, it can trigger severe, throbbing migraines.
🔸 Cervicogenic Headaches – Headaches that originate in the neck, often causing pain around the eyes and temples.
Ligament Injuries: The Overlooked Cause of Chronic Neck Pain & Headaches
What Are Ligament Injuries?
Ligaments are tough, flexible tissues that hold the bones of the spine together, providing stability and allowing smooth movement. However, when these ligaments become stretched or torn, the spine becomes unstable, leading to chronic pain and headaches.
Common Causes of Ligament Injuries:
✅ Whiplash & Car Accidents – The sudden back-and-forth motion in a crash can overstretch the ligaments in the neck.
✅ Sports Injuries – Contact sports, falls, and sudden impacts can cause ligament sprains.
✅ Repetitive Strain – Long-term bad posture or repetitive movements can lead to ligament damage over time.
How Ligament Injuries Lead to Headaches:
🔹 Instability in the Neck – When ligaments are damaged, they no longer hold the vertebrae in place, leading to constant irritation of the nerves.
🔹 Chronic Inflammation – The body attempts to heal ligament injuries by increasing inflammation, which can cause pain and swelling.
🔹 Nerve Compression – Unstable vertebrae can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, sending pain signals to the head.
Dr. Jeff Grosskopf’s Chiropractic Approach to Neck-Related Headaches
Unlike traditional medical treatments that rely on painkillers or injections, Dr. Jeff Grosskopf focuses on correcting the root cause of headaches. His approach includes:
1. Specialized X-Rays to Detect Old Ligament Injuries
Many ligament injuries go undiagnosed because standard medical imaging (like MRIs and basic X-rays) fails to detect them. Dr. Grosskopf uses advanced spinal imaging to find these injuries, allowing for more precise treatment.
2. Chiropractic Adjustments to Correct Vertebral Subluxations
Using gentle, precise adjustments, Dr. Grosskopf restores proper alignment in the cervical spine, relieving pressure on nerves and improving blood flow. This helps eliminate the source of tension headaches, migraines, and cervicogenic headaches.
3. Restoring Neck Stability with Chiropractic Care
For patients with ligament injuries, Dr. Grosskopf focuses on strengthening the spine by:
✔️ Correcting misalignments that add stress to damaged ligaments
✔️ Restoring normal movement to prevent further wear and tear
✔️ Helping the body heal naturally without drugs or surgery
Find Lasting Headache Relief at Epic Life Chiropractic
If you’ve been struggling with chronic headaches and medical treatments haven’t worked, it’s time to try a different approach. Dr. Jeff Grosskopf in Wauwatosa specializes in identifying and correcting neck-related headaches using state-of-the-art chiropractic care.
📍 Epic Life Chiropractic – Wauwatosa
📞 Call today to schedule a consultation and start living pain-free!
🚫 Stop masking the pain with medication—fix the root cause with chiropractic care