Chiropractic can potentially relieve chronic headaches after only a few treatments, especially if they're cervicogenic headaches, or headaches caused by a subluxation or other dysfunction in the spine or neck. Chiropractic adjustments help break the cycle of pain by releasing tension in the muscles, realigning the skeleton, and reducing any associated irritation in the nerves, starting with the spine, which in turn improves blood flow throughout the body.
"Spinal manipulation as a treatment for tension headache...as performed by a chiropractor, would decrease muscle tension and thereby reduce or eliminate pain." (Medical and Health Annual, Encyclopedia Britannica. 1988)
"Almost without exception, chiropractic manipulation of the neck was found to be superior in terms of reducing tension, headache frequency, intensity, and improving functional status of patients when compared to other standard medical treatments." (Hurwitz, Spine. 1996)
Finally, a chiropractor can also help reduce frequency and intensity of headaches by recommending certain lifestyle changes and preventative methods you can use to avert headaches in the future. These may include dietary changes, stretching and other exercises, postural changes, and relaxation techniques.
In our Chicago office, you may also benefit from physiotherapy, massage therapy or acupuncture which may lessen the intensity or frequency of your headaches. To learn more about the headaches you may be experiencing and the treatment options available to you, call us to schedule a FREE consultation.
Headaches are an experience familiar to most people - as nearly everyone has suffered at least one in their lives, and most people continue to have them from time to time. Usually a couple of over-the-counter meds, a favorite home remedy, a nap, or simply waiting it out is all that the majority of people find is needed to take care of the problem. But when headaches become so frequent and/or intense that they impede on your daily life, then medical intervention may be the only treatment option for lasting, long-term relief. Fortunately, there are many possible courses of action with proven effectiveness in treating ongoing episodic headaches (occurring less than 15 times per month) or chronic headaches (occurring more than 15 times per month) – including chiropractic care.
Experiencing More Than One Type of Headache?
Oftentimes the causes of a person’s headaches may overlap, crossing over into two or more categories. Still other times, a person may experience more than one type of headache: sometimes one type and sometimes another. That’s why it is of extra importance that a patient and doctor identify the type or types of headaches being experienced, as treatment strategies for each category of headaches vary from one another as much as their causes.
Note that every once in a while (although very rarely) headaches can indicate a brain tumor, an aneurysm (rupture of a blood vessel), or other serious medical condition.
All this being said, however, many people's headaches don't have any underlying physically attributable cause at all, but are rather the result of either an elevated response to pain signals or the center of the brain associated with suppressing pain signals not functioning properly.
Other types of headaches include cough headaches, exercise headaches, sex headaches, hypnic headaches (or those that awaken a person in the middle of the night), sinus headaches, ice cream headaches, spinal headaches, and thunderclap headaches.
It is also worth noting that many headaches people experience, regardless of type, may in actuality be what are called Rebound Headaches which are caused by taking too much pain medication - either by dosage or frequency (or both) - whether prescription or over-the-counter. The only way to put an end to rebound headaches is to cease using the offending medication.
Call Today to See How Chiropractic Headache Treatments May Help You
Schedule an appointment with one of our expert team members today to determine what type of headache(s) you experience and how we may be able to help you overcome them. We are located in the Andersonville neighborhood of Chicago and we are open 6 days a week with evening and weekend hours. If you are in pain you do not need to wait, we offer same day emergency appointments for those suffering with headache. Our number is 773.878.7330.