Can Chiropractic help with Headaches/Migraines?
All of us have experienced headaches at some point in our life. Some people get headaches that are mild and go away with some rest, but others are severe, throbbing with pain that can make you feel nauseous. The ability to think, make important decisions, and process our emotions are a crucial part of our daily lives. However, if you are regularly getting debilitating headaches, it can disrupt your mental clarity and interfere with your day-to-day life.
Even though most headaches are benign, some can be serious and life-threatening requiring immediate medical attention. There are more than 150 types of headaches with most of their causes unclear, but the more common types are:
Tension Headaches
What does it feel like?
Dull, achy with a tight band-like feeling around the head
Causes
Stress / Sleep problems / Caffeine / Painkillers
Cervicogenic Headache
What does it feel like?
Pain on 1 side of the head or face, stiff neck (it mimics migraines but with the difference of migraines originating in the brain, whereas Cervicogenic headache is from the cervical spine (neck) or base of the skull)
Causes (usually from problems in the neck)
Osteoarthritis / Prolapsed disc in neck/ Whiplash/ Sports injury / Poor posture / Sleep position
Migraine Headaches
What does it feel like?
Moderate to severe headache with a throbbing pain on 1 side of the head, feeling sick, or sensitive to light or sound
Causes
Genetics / Menstruation / Stress / Exhaustion / Certain food & drinks
Cluster Headaches
What does it feel like?
Sharp, burning, or piercing pain in one side of the head, and often felt around the eye or face
Possibly with red & teary eyes, swelling of the eyelid
Causes
Genetics / Abnormal brain activity / Smoking / Alcohol / Strong smell
Taking OTC pain medication might provide some temporary relief from your headaches, but it won’t help resolve the root and what causes your headaches. That is the main reason why many people seek chiropractic care for problems with frequent headaches.
How can Chiropractic care help with headaches?
During your initial consultation, the chiropractor will ask for your medical history, assess, diagnose and provide appropriate treatment for the different types of headaches such as tension-type and Cervicogenic. The latest studies as shown by the Canadian Chiropractic Association have also shown that chiropractic care can help decrease the intensity & frequency of migraines. Chiropractors will use a combination of manual therapy, soft tissue therapy, rehabilitation, lifestyle changes, and education to help you with your headaches. If you are deemed not suitable to receive chiropractic treatment due to various reasons, chiropractors can help to refer you to other practitioners (e.g General Practitioners or other Specialists) for further investigations or possible co-management.
Headaches could be signs of a more serious underlying pathology. Please seek immediate medical attention if you are getting headaches that are sudden and severe, after a head injury, with symptoms such as weakness, numbness, blackouts, fever, stiff neck, vision problems, and difficulty speaking or balancing. If you are relying on painkillers to get rid of your headache or suffering from frequent headaches, book an appointment with us at https://westwickhamchiropractic.co.uk/contact-us/ to get it professionally examined.
Bibliography
Baraness L, B. A. (2022). Acute Headache. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554510/
Bryans R, D. M. (2011). Evidence-based guidelines for the chiropractic treatment of adults with headache. Retrieved from https://chiropractic.ca/6-ways-chiropractic-care-can-help-manage-headaches/
Foundation, A. M. (2016). What Is Cervicogenic Headache? Retrieved from https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/cervicogenic-headache/
NHS. (2019). Migraine. Retrieved from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/migraine/
NHS. (2020). Cluster headaches. Retrieved from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cluster-
headaches/#:~:text=Cluster%20headaches%20are%20excruciating%20attacks,in%20their%2030s%20or%2040s.
NHS. (n.d.). Tension Headaches. Retrieved from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tension-headaches/
Stacy Sampson, D. (2019). Cervicogenic Headache. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/headache/cervicogenic-headache
