Health news and information from Chiropractic First
Published Fortnightly.

..: 31 MAY 2007 ISSUE

Looking Into Headaches Headaches are so common today that many people have accepted it as part of their lives. A study conducted in 1977 – 1978 indicated that headaches were the 11th most frequent reason for a visit to the doctor.1

Possible Causes of Headaches:

Three Most Common Types of Headaches:

Cervicogenic Headaches
These are headaches originating 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
Such headaches can 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
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.

The Effectiveness of Chiropractic on Headaches:

Preventing Headaches:

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.

References:
1. Swanson JW: Cranial and facial pain; Bradley WG, et al: Neurology in Clinical Practice, Vol. l, Butterworth-Heinemann, Boston, 1991.
2. Rothbart P. The Cervicogenic Headache: A Pain in the Neck. The Canadian Journal of Diagnosis; Feb 1996:64-76.
3. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Headache Foundation, American Academy of Neurology, The AMA Complete Guide to   Women's Health, The AMA Home Medical Library, The AMA Family Medical Guide, The AMA Encyclopedia of Medicine.
4. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (September 2001 Issue).
5. Guidance for Difficult Times, University Health Sciences.
6. Kassidy Emmerson, Associated Content, The People's Media Company.

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I'm 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've had many minor aches and pains, which led to tension headaches, migraines as well as insomnia.

I decided to seek chiropractic treatment because of my son who had been treated by it. As a result of my treatment, I wish I had found Chiropractic First much earlier.

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

Mdm Wong

My recent run-in with a set of neck and shoulder problems not only made me short-tempered, but also gave me bouts of headaches. Several visits to a Chinese physician did not help and cost me unnecessary expenses as well.

By chance, I came across Chiropractic First's poster while shopping, and I thought, what could go wrong trying it?

The X-Rays were an eye-opener. My spine around the neck region was almost straight. The doctor charted a 'healing' schedule for me, and several treatments later, my road to long-term recovery had started.

I was skeptical of intrusive forms of treatment to begin with. The doctor's explanation and treatment made me a believer in natural healing. This form of natural healing is much better than a life-long dependence on painkillers.

Mr Soh

Dear Doctor,

I'm 12 weeks pregnant and have headaches, mainly on the right side, for these couple of weeks. Sometimes they would not go away for a few days and I would wake up in the middle of the night with them. Does my pregnancy have anything to do with it? I don't wish to take too much medication, as I'm afraid that my baby and myself will be affected by side-effects in the future. If Chiropractic does help, is it safe for me to get treatment at this moment, considering I've just passed my 1st trimester of pregnancy?

Mrs Wong, via email

Dear Mrs Wong,

Thanks for your inquiry and let me first congratulate you on your pregnancy!  One of the beauties of the human body is giving the miracle of life. 

With regards to your questions, let me simply say that your pregnancy is creating many wonderful hormonal changes within your body, which unfortunately can cause symptoms such as headaches, especially during the first and second trimesters. 

According to the American Pregnancy Association, an increase in headaches during the first trimester is believed to be caused by the surge of hormones along with an increase in the blood volume circulating throughout your body. These headaches may be further aggravated by stress, poor posture or changes in your vision. Other causes of headaches during pregnancy may involve one or more of the following:

First of all, the body is controlled by your nervous system, which governs everything from the way your heart pumps blood, to the way air is exchanged at the lungs, to the way your immune system combats viruses and bacteria. 

As a chiropractor, the nervous system is the bread and butter of it all!  Our entire focus is on improving posture, as it is the window to a healthy spine, and thus, a healthy life.  Without a properly maintained spine and nervous system, symptoms such as headaches and those listed above are very common as it is simply a sign that your nervous system is not functioning normally. 

When there are many stresses on your nervous system, your spine may become subluxated, or misaligned, thus putting undue stress and pressure on your nerves, which are the only means of communication between your brain and body.  This can lead to many problems with how the body functions on a daily basis, from how you think, to how you breathe, move, and grow.  With all the hormonal changes during pregnancy, chiropractic care can only enhance the body's natural healing potential to handle all these stresses.

Chiropractic care during pregnancy may provide benefits for women who are pregnant. Potential benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy include:

I hope that this helps you in making that important health decision to get your spine checked for subluxations/ misalignments.  This decision will not only affect your health today, but for the rest of your life.

Sincerely,
Dr. Andrew Ching
Doctor of Chiropractic

(United Square #01-73)

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