Headaches afflict about 70% of adults at least occasionally and provoke millions of North Americans each year to seek medical treatment. Most headaches are transient and due to tension or a temporary condition such as a cold or flu. Recurrent headaches warrant medical attention to properly diagnose the type and determine the best treatment.
Manual therapy, including Chiropractic care, can help with conditions like:
✔️Migraine Headaches
✔️Cluster Headaches
✔️Tension Headaches
✔️Cervicogenic Headaches
Ever experience throbbing pain on one side of your head? Stiff neck? Pain around the eyes? Or experience a headache with certain neck positions/movements? These are classical symptoms of a cervicogenic headache. These types of headaches can also mimic migraine headaches, such as light/noise sensitivities, blurry vision, and/or an upset stomach.
Cervicogenic headaches are secondary headaches, meaning they are caused by underlying head or neck problems that may also be episodic or chronic. The International Headache Society (IHS) attributes these headaches with:
- A history of neck trauma.
- Reduced neck range of motion.
- Focal neck tenderness.
**NOTE: when muscular pain alone is the cause of the headache pain, the patient should be managed as having tension headaches.
What manual therapy can help with these types of headaches?
1️⃣ Spinal manipulation of the neck can significantly reduce cervicogenic headache symptoms. Frequency of care: 2x/week for 3 weeks.
2️⃣ Joint mobilizations of the neck shows a decrease in headache frequency, intensity, as well as neck pain and disability.
3️⃣ Acupuncture can help with symptoms and range of motion in patients with cervicogenic headache.
4️⃣ Deep neck flexor exercises to decrease the reoccurrence of headaches. Frequency of exercises are 10 reps, 2x/daily for 6 weeks.
5️⃣ Massage Therapy.
6️⃣ Practicing good posture when sitting, standing, or driving (Keeping a neutral spine and not leaning your head too far forward).
Our amazing Chiropractors, Dr. Allyshia and Dr. Daniel are always here for support and to help educate you on how you can help yourself feel better again!
