Do
you suffer from headaches on a regular basis? Do they prevent you from
enjoying the things you love to do?
Headaches
are considered by some to be one of the most frequent complaints, and
have been identified as the fifth most common reason for outpatient
medical care. It is estimated that one person in three suffers from
severe headaches at some point in life, with over 42 million Americans
seeking care for headaches each year. Worldwide, more than 13,000 tons
of aspirin are consumed per year, with a major portion utilized for
the relief of headache.
There are many different types of headaches, and the World Health Organization
even recognizes 24 types of chronic headaches. Common causes of headaches
include stress, tension, anxiety, allergies, coffee consumption, eyestrain,
nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, and many others. Headache
experts estimate that about 90 percent of all headaches are tension-type
headaches, with cervicogenic and migraine headaches being in this group
as well.
At some point in your life, you have probably suffered through a tension
type headache. They typically cause mild to moderate pain on both sides
of the head that is often described as tight, stiff, and constricting-
like having a band wrapped around your head and pressing tightly. The
muscles are very stiff and feel sore.
Cervicogenic headache is defined as pain perceived as arising in the
head, but whose actual source lies in the cervical spine (neck). The
most important cause of this headache is mechanical dysfunction or chronic
fixation of the upper neck area and the rest of the cervical spine.
If you do suffer from any of these headaches on a regular basis, your
obvious concern is to obtain safe, dependable relief. There are many
therapies available to you, even dietary changes that may make a difference.
Chiropractic treatment has been shown to be effective in reducing the
severity and frequency of these types of headaches. A report from the
Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research documents both the
quality and strength of research findings pertaining to chiropractic
and headaches. (Evidence Report: Behavioral and Physical Treatments
for Tension-type and Cervicogenic Headache)
The Center for Clinical Health Policy Research at Duke University screened
citations from the literature to draft an evidence report with peer
review from a panel of 25 reviewers, including researchers and clinicians
in chiropractic. The panel obtained bibliographies of both physical
and behavioral options for treating headache that were controlled trials
aimed at either relief from or prevention of attacks of tension-type
or cervicogenic headache. A few of the physical interventions listed
were acupuncture, cervical spine manipulation, massage, mobilization,
stretching, and postural exercises.
As the science of headache emerges, it is becoming increasingly clear
that the key to successful headache management is not usually based
upon a specific treatment. It is better to compose a myriad of treatments
based upon a precise diagnosis of the patient’s headache.
To obtain references used in this article, please email the doctor.
