Headaches are one of the most common health complaints, affecting nearly 1 in 6 adults worldwide. But here’s the challenge: not all headaches are the same, and the cause isn’t always obvious.

At Well Co Chiropractic in Sarasota, I see patients daily who are struggling with headaches, sometimes caused by muscle tension, sometimes by hormonal shifts, sometimes by diet or medications. That’s why the first step to relief is understanding your unique headache pattern.

Why Headaches Happen

Headaches can come from multiple sources. Some of the most common include:

Hormonal changes: Fluctuations in estrogen (for example during menstrual cycles or perimenopause) are strongly linked to migraines.
Medication changes: Certain blood pressure meds, antidepressants, or withdrawal from caffeine can trigger headaches.
Food sensitivities: Research shows foods like aged cheese, processed meats, chocolate, or red wine can be migraine triggers.
Neck and muscular issues: Cervicogenic headaches arise from dysfunction in the cervical spine or tight muscles (scalenes, suboccipitals, trapezius) pulling on surrounding tissues.
Stress and posture: Prolonged sitting, computer use, or Sarasota’s active athletes grinding through training can create muscular tension headaches.

Migraines vs. Headaches

It’s important to differentiate:

Headaches: Often pressure, tension, or dull pain. May come from stress, muscular tension, or posture.
Migraines: More severe, often throbbing, and accompanied by sensitivity to light, sound, nausea, or visual changes. Migraines can last hours to days and significantly affect quality of life.

Why Tracking Matters

One of the best tools I recommend for patients is a headache log.

Write down:

When the headache occurs
What you ate that day
Stress levels
Sleep quality
Menstrual cycle stage (for women)
Physical activities (workouts, long computer sessions, Sarasota pickleball matches)

These notes give me valuable clues to narrow down patterns and uncover the root cause.

How Chiropractic & Active Release Can Help

Many headaches have a musculoskeletal component. For example:

Tight suboccipital muscles at the base of the skull can trigger headaches that radiate forward.
Neck or upper back stiffness can compress nerves or reduce blood flow, leading to cervicogenic headaches.
Trigger points in the shoulders and jaw often refer pain into the head.

At Well Co Chiropractic, I use:

Active Release Technique (ART): Hands-on soft tissue therapy to release adhesions in the neck, shoulders, and jaw.
Chiropractic adjustments: To restore proper motion in the cervical spine.
Rehab exercises: To improve posture, strengthen stabilizers, and reduce recurrence.

Sarasota Lifestyle Considerations

Living in Sarasota comes with plenty of perks: sunshine, active living, and year-round sports. But with that comes factors that may influence headaches:

Dehydration in hot weather → easy to miss while golfing or playing pickleball.
Outdoor allergens → seasonal triggers for sinus headaches.
Active lifestyles → sports like tennis or pickleball can strain neck and shoulder muscles if mobility is limited.

Recognizing these local factors can help tailor treatment and prevention strategies.

Final Thoughts

Headaches aren’t one-size-fits-all. They may be caused by hormones, food, stress, posture, or muscular issues, and sometimes, a combination.

By tracking your symptoms and working with a provider who understands both neurological and musculoskeletal causes, you can find lasting relief.

If you’re struggling with headaches or migraines in Sarasota, I’d love to help. At Well Co Chiropractic, we combine Active Release Technique, chiropractic adjustments, and rehab exercises to address both the symptoms and the root causes.

Book Your Appointment with Dr. Sandy Arthur in Sarasota

References

Burch RC, et al. The Prevalence and Burden of Migraine and Severe Headache in the United States. Headache. 2018.
Kazeminasab S, et al. Neck Pain: Global Epidemiology, Trends, and Risk Factors. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2022.