Common Causes Of Headaches In Teens
Teenagers today face more physical and emotional stress than ever. School pressure, sports, phones, late nights, and rapid growth all place demands on their bodies. It’s no surprise that headaches have become one of the most common health complaints in teens. Here’s the good news: most teen headaches have clear causes. Chiropractic care can offer safe, drug-free relief by addressing the root of the problem.
Why Teens Get Headaches
Headaches in teens can come from a variety of sources. The most common include:
1. Poor posture & screen time:
Forward-head posture (looking down at phones or laptops) places stress on the neck and upper back.This can lead to:
Muscle tension
Nerve irritation
Restricted blood flow
Tightness that radiates into the head
2. Stress and school pressures
Mental stress creates physical tension. Teens often carry stress in their:
Neck
Shoulders
Jaw
Upper back
This tension can trigger chronic headaches.
3. Hormonal changes
For teen girls, hormone fluctuations during the menstrual cycle can cause headaches or migraines.
4. Dehydration & nutrition
Skipping meals, drinking little water, or relying on processed foods affects blood sugar and can trigger headaches.
5. Sports and overuse injuries
Athletic teens often develop headaches from:
Repetitive strain
Poor form
Dehydration
Neck injuries (especially in contact sports)
The Nervous System Connection
Your teen’s spine is the communication pathway between the brain and body.
If the spine, especially the upper neck, becomes misaligned due to posture, stress, or injury, it can irritate nerves and muscles that contribute to headaches.
When this happens, teens experience:
Tension headaches
Migraines
Pressure behind the eyes
Neck stiffness
Dizziness or visual changes
Chiropractic care works to remove this interference so the nervous system can function better.
How Chiropractic Care Helps Teen Headaches
Chiropractic adjustments address the root cause of headaches by restoring proper movement, alignment, and nerve communication.
Chiropractic care can help:
Reduce muscle tension in the neck and shoulders
Improve posture
Correct spinal misalignments
Reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches
Improve blood flow to the head and neck
Support hormonal balance (especially helpful for migraines)
Improve sleep — a major factor in teen headaches
Many parents report that their teen sleeps better, focuses better, and experiences fewer headaches after starting care.
What the Research Says
Scientific studies support chiropractic as a natural option for headache relief:
A study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that spinal adjustments significantly reduce the frequency and intensity of tension headaches.
Research also shows chiropractic care can improve cervical spine mobility, a major factor in posture-related headaches in teens.
A 2020 randomized controlled trial found that spinal manipulation was effective for reducing migraine symptoms and disability scores compared to standard care.
Additional research highlights how chiropractic care supports autonomic nervous system balance, which plays a role in both tension and hormonal headaches.
While chiropractic is not a cure-all, the evidence strongly supports its role in reducing headache frequency and improving quality of life, especially when combined with lifestyle guidance.
What Parents Can Do at Home
In addition to chiropractic care, help your teen by encouraging:
More water, less caffeine
Regular, nutrient-dense meals
Stretch breaks from screens
Proper posture (raised screens, not looking down)
Consistent sleep routines
Stress-reducing activities (exercise, downtime, hobbies)
Conclusion
Teen headaches aren’t “just part of growing up.” They’re a sign that the body, especially the nervous system, may be overwhelmed.
Chiropractic care offers a natural, safe way to help teens feel better, move better, and focus better. Without relying on medication.
📞 Call Third Coast Chiropractic at 231-354-2600 to schedule an evaluation and help your teen find relief from headaches naturally.