Headache / Migraine

Nobody likes headaches. They can strike with little warning and cause debilitating pain - especially cervico-genic headaches (from the neck) and refers up to the head.

Researchers have often noted the relationship between the spine and many types of headaches (tension, sinus, migraine). The most common headache of all is the 'muscle tension' headache which makes up for over 90% of headaches.

The purpose of Chiropractic is to remove spinal nerve stress caused by muscle tension and vertebral misalignment. Therefore, allowing your body to function at optimum. A Canadian study found that a course of Chiropractic care was 250 times safer than a course of anti-inflammatories.

Headache treatment depends on what caused it. A headache arising from visual disturbance is corrected by eyeglasses. An infection headache of the sinus and/or ears is relieved when the infection subsides. But the most common headaches are usually treated with painkillers and drugs. These painkillers may provide blessed relief but the cause of the headache is not corrected.

This will see millions of people swallowing pills for years, possibly suffering from the side effects of long term medication and not getting any better, only temporarily feeling better. Surely, that's not a healthy way to live.

Two researchers investigated the effect of chiropractic treatment on headache in 20 randomized patients. They discovered a correlation between the number of chiropractic visits and positive outcome in headache patients. They concluded, “there are benefits to 9 to 12 [chiropractic] visits over 3 weeks for the treatment of headache/neck pain and disability. 1

What puts the “ache” in headache?
Your brain can NOT feel any sensation. It's true. Even during brain surgery, the patient can be wide awake feeling no pain. The ache actually comes from veins and arteries inside the brain and skull, membranes that wrap around the brain, and certain cranial nerves. When these are pulled, stretched, compressed or irritated, headaches often result.

If you suffer from headaches, chiropractic can help. Make an appointment for a chiropractic evaluation today.

1 www.chiropracticresearchreview.com 2 http://betterspines.com/blog/2009/05/22/do-you-take-anti-inflammatory-drugs/

Reference: Haas M, Groupp E, Aickin M, et al. Dose response for chiropractic care of chronic cervicogenic headache and associated neck pain: a randomized pilot study. JMPT 2004;27(9):547-553.