Headaches + Migraines
Headaches are a widespread health concern and have many causes and presentations. Over 300 different types of headaches are known, with common types including: migraines, tension-type, trigeminal and injury-related. Tension-type headaches are the most prevalent and affect approximately 42% of the adult population worldwide. Headaches can range in sensation and intensity from dull and achy to throbbing and pounding to sharp and stabbing. Headaches have a huge impact on daily life, productivity and relationships.
Stress in the neck and upper back may cause the shoulders and neck muscles to contract from the bones of the spine being out of position. This misalignment often causes nerve pressure. According to the research, 80% of headaches originate from the neck (cervicogenic). When the neck is misaligned, the bones protecting the spinal cord interfere with the nerves instead of protecting them. This interference causes the body to malfunction causing pain directly or indirectly affecting the chemical or hormonal balance of the body. Often times, headache pain will start at the base of the skull and radiate into the temples and face. Migraine headaches are a neurologic disorder characterized by severe headaches and other visceral symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to light and sound, and sever pain. Once the pressure on the nerves is relieved, pain may subside and the body can balance itself chemically and hormonally. By removing subluxations (spinal misalignments causing nerve pressure), chiropractors help to reestablish proper communication between brain and body. Many chiropractic patients have seen improvement of their headache symptoms with chiropractic care.
Berry RH, Oakley PA, Harrison DE. Alleviation of chronic headaches by correcting lateral head translation posture (–TxH) using Chiropractic Biophysics & Berry Translation Traction [case report]. Ann Vert Sublux Res. 2017 Winter-Spring;2017(1-2):Online access only p 87-92. ICLID: 24967
Bonello R, Pollard H, Tuchin PJ. A randomized controlled trial of chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy for migraine. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2000 Feb;23(2):91-95. ICLID: 14672
Laferrière, E. Positive chiropractic treatment outcome of migraine without aura in a 6-year-old presenting with sleep bruxism and chronic sinus congestion: a case-report. J Clin Chiropr Pediatr. 2016 Dec 15(3):Online access only p1309-1314. http://jccponline.com/migraine.pdf.