Headaches & Chiropractic Treatment
Suffer from headaches? You are not alone, 65-75% of people in Canada will experience a headache sometime in their lifetime (Manzoni & Stovener, 2010). Some will be occasional, some frequent, some dull and achy and sharp and stabbing resulting in debilitating pain. With over 200 sub- types of diagnosed headaches the most frequent used therapy is over the counter medication. However, is it the most effective?
Prescription Drugs vs Chiropractic Therapy
Six months ago I had a patient come to see me with debilitating tension type and migrainous headaches for the last three years following a serious car accident (MVA). He tried prescription medication that numbed the pain but left him in a constant fog resulting in unable to work, and missed family time with his wife and three year old daughter. One day a family friend mentioned to him that a Chiropractor may be able to help and to call Absolute Physio Care for chiropractic headache treatment. Following 6 months of care that included Chiropractic adjustments, Active release technique (ART), and home care exercises the patient is headache free, back to work and most important, enjoying spending time with his family.
Current research supports that regular Chiropractic care is effective for tension type headaches and headaches that originate from the neck and spine. In a ground breaking report released in 2001 by researchers at Duke University found that Chiropractic adjustments resulted in almost immediate improvement for those headaches that originate in the neck, and had significantly fewer side effects and longer-lasting relief of tension-type headaches than advil or Tylenol (Goadsby et. Al, 2012).
What to do if you Have Headaches
The ACA suggests the following:
- If you spend a large amount of time in one fixed position, such as in front of a computer, on a sewing machine, typing or reading, take a break and stretch every 30 minutes to one hour . The stretches should take your head and neck through a comfortable range of motion.
- Low-impact exercise may help relieve the pain associated with primary headaches. However, if you are prone to dull, throbbing headaches, avoid heavy exercise. Engage in such activities as walking and low-impact aerobics.
- Avoid teeth clenching. The upper teeth should never touch the lowers, except when swallowing. This results in stress at the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) – the two joints that connect your jaw to your skull – leading to TMJ irritation and a form of tension headaches.
- Drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day to help avoid dehydration, which can lead to headaches.
- Contact your local Chiropractor to see if you are a candidate for regular care.
Related Posts & Other Headache Treatment Options
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Massage Therapy & Tension Headaches
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Upper Cross Syndrome – Pains of an Office Worker
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Chiropractic Treatments for Whiplash & MVA Accidents
Burnaby Chiropractic Headache Therapy
If you are experiencing any headaches or migraines, or have any questions regarding chiropractic headache therapy, feel free to give us a call at Absolute Sports Physio Care in Burnaby B.C. at 604-558-2273 – or get in touch with us online!
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