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Headache and Migraine Treatment

A variety of over-the-counter medicine may control your headache or migraine, but they only mask the pain without addressing the cause.

The 3 most common types of headaches are:

  1. Cervicogenic Headaches
    It originates from the neck. Pain is typically dull or aching in quality, and is located in the back, upper sides and top, temple, forehead, or eye regions of the head. The pain can also be located in any combination of these regions. The sensation can affect one or both sides of the head.
     
  2. Tension Headaches
    Tension headaches may feel like a tight band. It can also feel like pressure at both temples, the forehead, or the back of the head and neck. The intensity of the pain is usually mild to moderate and does not increase with physical activity. When tension-type headaches are chronic (recurring frequently for at least six months), the discomfort and pain can be disabling.
     
  3. Migraine Headaches
    Migraine headaches are painful, sometimes disabling headaches, which are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, noise and smell. These throbbing headaches usually occur on only one side of the head, although the pain can shift from one side of the head to the other. The pain also can occur on both sides at the same time.

Research is beginning to point toward upper cervical trauma as an underlying cause for many types of head pain, especially migraine, cluster and tension headaches.

Because so many nerves transmit through the cervical region, to and from the brain, trauma to this area results in problems to other parts of the body. This is where the relationship between the upper cervical area and headaches becomes evident. If these vertebrae become displaced, chronic head pain can occur. Unless the neck injury is addressed, the symptoms persist.

Chiropractic care involves correcting the position of these injured cervical vertebrae. Realigning these vertebrae may reduce or eliminate many types of headaches.

Chiropractic and Headaches

Often patients with chronic headaches will find relief through chiropractic in just a few treatments as muscles relax and nerve irritation is reduced.

Studies have also shown that migraine sufferers have responded favorably to Chiropractic treatment and Chiropractic examination should be considered for chronic, non-responsive migraine headaches, especially if the patients are non-responsive to pharmaceuticals or prefer to use other forms of treatment. 1 2

In September 2001 issue of the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, there was a report on the effectiveness of chiropractic care.

The report labeled "Spinal Manipulative Therapy (SMT)" focuses on patients with chronic headaches. The data for this report was gathered from nine trials involving 683 patients with chronic headaches.

In this study, the effects of chiropractic adjustments were compared to the effects of massage and those of medications providing short term relief. The subjects were studied for up to six weeks after a month of care.

Results showed that the chiropractic group did better than the massage group. The group that received medication also experienced relief. However, the rate of side effects for the medicated group was considerably higher than the chiropractic group.

This difference gave a decidedly large advantage to Chiropractic over pharmaceuticals.

If your headaches persist for more than three months, consider seeking treatment from a doctor of Chiropractic, as Chiropractic is known to effectively treat headaches and migraines.

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References

  1. Peter J. Tuchin. "A Case of Chronic Migraine Remission after Chiropractic Care". Journal of Chiropractic Medicine.
  2. R. Clark Davis. "Chronic Migraine and Chiropractic Rehabilitation: A Case Report". Journal of Chiropractic Medicine.
  3. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (September 2001 Issue)
  4. Rothbart P. The Cervicogenic Headache: A Pain in the Neck. The Canadian Journal of Diagnosis; Feb 1996:64-76.

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I am 43 years old and have 2 sons. I was very athletic when I was younger but that changed after my sons were conceived.

Since then, I have many minor aches and pains, which led to tension headache, migraine as well as insomnia. I decided to seek chiropractic treatment because of my son, who has benefited from it. How I wish I had found Chiropractic First earlier.

Now, my whole family is undergoing chiropractic care on a regular basis. I have recommended several friends who have also benefited from it.

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