Headaches & Chiropractic

“Research shows that spinal manipulation – the primary form of care provided by doctors of chiropractic – may be an effective treatment option for tension headaches and headaches that originate in the neck.
 
A report released in 2001 by researchers at the Duke University Evidence-Based Practice Center in Durham, NC, found that spinal manipulation 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 headache than a commonly prescribed medication.
 
Also, a 1995 study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that spinal manipulative therapy 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.”

What Can a Doctor of Chiropractic Do?

  • Chiropractors can perform spinal adjustments in the cervical spine that will relieve stress put on by the subluxations. Most patients experience immediate relief if the headache is due to dysfunction in the neck.
  • Chiropractors can educate you on ways to reduce the tension in your neck with special exercises and stretching techniques.
  • Chiropractors can help you identify the triggers and work with you on eliminating them from your diet and environment.

Taken Directly from Source: http://www.acatoday.org/content_css.cfm?CID=2186