Chiropractic Care has recently made itself known among the British public but there is still so much that many are yet to understand about it. Chiropractic Care is commonly classed as “alternative” and yet it is anything but. Chiropractic treatment is in many ways “simple” or rather if you will, “common sense”. To showcase this, here is why so many are seeing a Chiropractor for headaches instead of more “conventional treatments”.
Why So Many are Seeing a Chiropractor for Headaches
- Did You Know?
It is estimated that there are 190,000 migraine experienced every day in England alone.
What Causes a Headache
Headaches can be a result of many causes. More often than not the causes for headaches are very simple, understandable and can usually be relieved with basic changes. Causes which are far more identifiable can vary from a “lively evening”, hydration, nutrition, tiredness and even excessive noise, to mention just a few.
A Mechanical Cause for Headaches
Other times, we can suffer from a headache, which upon initial self-inspection, seems to not have a cause or an underlining trigger. This can make us feel anxious and powerless over our suffering. This is experienced in the area just beneath the back of our head and at the very top of our neck. This pain can be noticed radiating from the shoulders and up to the top of the head. Pain can also be experience around the front and around the eyes.
What You Can Also Look Out For;
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Cervical headaches are often asymmetrical, felt on one side or the other, or one side is noticeable worse.
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Also known as Postural Headaches if caused by lifestyle/poor posture as opposed to trauma.
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These headaches are also commonly felt at your TMJ muscles (at or below your ear), often accompanied with jaw popping or tooth grinding
A Cervicogenic Headache may be caused by circumstantial posture where a specific job role such as hairdressing requires you to hold your head slightly slouched; or an abrupt change in posture or shifting direction of weight quickly due to sporting activities or an accident.
What Can Seeing a Chiropractor Do for Headaches?
A Doctor of Chiropractic will focus primarily on making sure your vertebra is moving correctly then, if it is needed or requested an Digital X-Ray will be taken to examine the root causes for the pain. Under this evaluation we will determine if the headaches are caused or are aggravated by any misalignment in the vertebrae of the spine. A Doctor of Chiropractic will then decide on a treatment plan aimed at correcting the Neuromusculoskeletal to relieve Cervicogenic Headaches. Neuromusculoskeletal means (Nerves, Muscles and Bones of the Body).
Seeing a Chiropractor for Headaches may likely result in a treatment known as Specific Spinal Adjustments; tension, pressure and misalignment's can be relieved from the spinal problem for pain relief and ongoing improvement.
When the cervical vertebra isn’t moving or is misaligned, or both, this stretches the tissues around the joint in an abnormal way, or for extended periods of time, causing pain and discomfort. This is what causes the extreme pain of these headaches.
A Chiropractor increases the mobility of the vertebra that are not moving, this takes the pressure off the nerves and tissues affected and improves alignment.
How Long Until I See Results?
Whilst it is not uncommon to experience instant relief it is also a possibility that treatment may take longer to strengthen the muscles supporting the spine and therefore maintaining appropriate posture. Regardless of timing, to experience results we would always recommend to complete the treatment plan to maintain the progress you have made and prevent future problems. If you have had chronic headaches for many years then it is important to stay mindful until improvements happen.
Evidence Report: Behavioral and Physical Treatments for Tension-type and Cervicogenic Headache
The Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research have announced that in their most recent Evidence Report for Behavioral and Physical Treatments for Tension-type and Cervicogenic Headaches, Chiropractic Care has thus far, proven to be superior in its effectiveness among treatment alternatives.
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In comparison with Amitriptyline - Chiropractic Care was noticeably more favourable for Tension-type Headaches.
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In Comparison with various Soft Tissue Procedures - Chiropractic Care induced sustained improvement in the frequency and severity of Cervicogenic Headaches.
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In comparison to other Physical Treatment Methods - The evidence suggests that Chiropractic Care is more effective in relation to tested treatments.
Seeing a Chiropractor for headaches is 1 option among many. Chiropractic care has been accredited to effective treatment but this does not mean that your Chiropractor can not refer you to other healthcare professionals if it is either necessary or requested.
Overall
A Chiropractic treatment plan for headaches will only be suggested after examination and sufficient evidence that Chiropractic Care would be applicable for the root cause of the problem. Seeing a Chiropractor for headaches is a sure way to eliminate possible causes from question and as the evidence suggests, help relieve the symptoms on a long term basis.
If you are experiencing headaches or know someone who is and are seeking a Chiropractor in Exeter then it is important to get in contact with your local Chiropractor to begin the process back to full health and overall well-being.
