Headaches and chiropractic care

BY DR. VIKAS PURI

Headaches are extremely common however the reason for a headache differs from person to person. Some headaches are caused by certain triggers such as: environmental, food, stress and dehydration whereas more specific causes can be from muscles, joints, ligaments, or nerves.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that almost half of all adults worldwide will experience a headache in any given year. That is epidemic proportions.

A headache can be a sign of stress or emotional distress, or it can result from a medical disorder, such as migraine or high blood pressure, anxiety, or depression. It can lead to other problems. People with chronic migraine headaches, for example, may find it hard to attend work or school regularly.  A headache can occur in any part of the head, on both sides of the head, or in just one location.

There are different ways to define headaches. The International Headache Society (IHS) categorize headaches as primary, when they are not caused by another condition, or secondary, when there is a further underlying cause. Primary headaches are stand-alone illnesses caused directly by the overactivity of, or problems with, structures in the head that are pain sensitive. This includes the blood vessels, muscles, and nerves of the head and neck. They may also result from changes in chemical activity in the brain.

Types of headaches
There are four common types of headaches which are migraines, cervicogenic headaches, tension headaches and cluster headaches.

The cause for migraines is unknown, however they are often associated with certain triggers such as: food/additives, hormonal changes, sleep, stress, physical and sensory factors, as well as changes in the environment and certain medications.

Cervicogenic headaches root from the neck or cervical spine structures and the onset can be worsened by neck movement.

Tension type headaches occur due to tension of the neck or face muscles which in result causes pain. A few common causes of tension type headaches are anxiety, stress, eyestrain, poor posture and injuries.

Cluster headaches are similar to migraines in the sense that they have no known cause, however there are some suggested causes. These include but are not limited to problems in temperature regulation, blood pressure, hormones, sleep, as well as alcohol and other drugs.

How chiropractors can help
Chiropractors can play an important role when it comes to managing and treating headaches. Chiropractors are able to assess and diagnose headaches and in some cases referral and co-management may be a likely course of treatment. There is an immense amount of evidence which demonstrates that chiropractic care (such as spinal manipulative therapy) can be a successful form of treatment for cervicogenic and tension-type headaches. Moreover, studies have also demonstrated that chiropractic care has the ability to decrease both the intensity and frequency of headaches. As mentioned earlier, headaches vary from person to person and therefore depending on the findings from patient history and examination, your chiropractor may recommend patient reassurance, manual therapies, modalities and lifestyle recommendations such as rehabilitation. A few examples of treatment options a chiropractor may recommend for your headache are manipulation and mobilization, soft tissue therapy, modalities such as electrical stimulation, acupuncture, ultrasound, rehabilitation and exercises, ergonomic and lifestyles changes as well as referral and co-management.

Importance of chiropractic care for headaches
Ultimately, chiropractic care can improve the human body’s ability to respond to stress without experiencing pain. Chiropractors offer a “hands on, drug free” approach that is completely natural and does not include any form of invasive treatment. It is important to note that not all headaches begin from the head, and the problem is where it stems from therefore it is crucial to treat the cause not just the pain itself. Nonetheless, chiropractic care is proven to be a very safe alternative to conventional medicine, and many believe it should be the first line of defense when treating any type of headache.

If you or anyone you know suffers from headaches, it is not “normal”. Headaches are a disease that needs treatment. Getting a proper assessment by a chiropractor to determine the exact type and cause of headache is particularly important.  This may include a physical exam, x-rays, posture evaluation, neurological exam, or other type of testing. Getting your brain and spine functioning optimally provides for a great opportunity to eliminate headaches effectively. See a chiropractor today!