What do you do when you suffer from a pounding headache? Do you grit your teeth and carry on? Lie down? Pop a pill and hope the pain goes away? There is a better alternative.

Duke University Evidence Report in 2001 by McCrory, M.D.: “Patients with HEADACHES improved best with chiropractic care compared to acupuncture, painkillers, amytriptyline drugs (Elavil, Endep), exercise, surgery, TENS unit, stress therapy."

Also, a 1995 study in the Journal of Man. & Physiolog Therapeutics found that chiropractic care is an effective treatment for tension headaches and that those who ceased chiropractic treatment after four weeks experienced a sustained therapeutic benefit in contrast with those patients who received a commonly prescribed medication.

Another randomized clinical trial by Macquarie University in Australia studied people who have had migraines all their lives and found that over one-fifth of the participants were reported more than 90% reduction of migraines by chiropractic care. Approximately 50% more participants reported significant improvement in the morbidity of each episode.

Migraine headaches have no known cause, but often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity (photophobia).  Certain external triggers such as perfume, coffee, chemicals in food / air, and emotional stress have been known to trigger migraine.  

Misalignments of upper neck bones (vertebrae) as well as the occiput in relation to C1, can irritate nearby nerves, including the optic nerves, facial nerves, suboccipital nerves, mandibular nerves (jaw), etc.  Chiropractic care realign these structures, taking the pressures and irritation off of the nerves.  This is also related to the tension headaches cases.

Tension headaches, on the other hand, are a condition involving pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck, usually associated with muscle tightness in these areas. Tension headaches are one of the most common forms of headache. They can occur at any age, but are most common in adults and adolescents. If a headache occurs two or more times weekly for several months or longer, the condition is considered chronic. 

Tension headaches result from the contraction of neck and scalp muscles. One cause of this muscle contraction is a response to stress, depression or anxiety. Any activity that causes the head to be held in one position for a long time without moving can cause a headache. Such activities include typing or use of computers, fine work with the hands, and use of a microscope.  Many office workers, dentists, dental assistants, surgeons, hairstylists, students, electricians, and pharmacists have these issues and have been helped by chiropractic care.   Sleeping in a cold room or sleeping with the neck in an abnormal position can also trigger this type of headache. Other causes include spinal misalignment, eye strain, fatigue, alcohol use, excessive smoking, excessive caffeine use, sinus infection, nasal congestion, overexertion, colds, and influenza. 

Isn’t it time you tried chiropractic care for you and your family? If you are experiencing any of the common symptoms below, please call our office now to schedule an appointment. 

• dull pain, pressure-like generalized pain, 
  
• worse pain in the scalp, temples, or back of the neck, 
  
• feels like a tight band or vise on the head, 
• occurs as an isolated incident, occurs constantly, occurs daily, 
• worsened or triggered by stress, fatigue, noise, or glares, 
  
• causing sleep disturbances, and it can be one sided.
  

**Want to know how we've helped other people with migraine and headaches?  Click here.  You may know a few people!  :)

See you soon,

Dr. Arthur & Dr. Rebecca