Headaches are one of the most common complaints for which my patients seek chiropractic care here at Back in Action. Chiropractic is especially helpful in the treatment of headaches because the three nerves that exit the top of the spine (upper neck) are often the cause of or directly related to headaches. These three nerves travel into the head and have to pass through a very thick group of muscles in the upper part of the neck near where these muscles attach to the base of the skull. This is why when you have headaches and rub the back of the neck, the muscles may feel tight and or tender. In fact, if enough pressure is applied over one of these three nerves, pain will radiate into the head following the course of the nerve, sometimes all the way into the eyes. When chiropractic treatment is applied in the upper neck region, a reduction of the headache and neck pain occurs because the muscle tension is decreased and joint motion is restored.

The International Headache Society (IHS) has classified headaches into two main categories, primary and secondary. Primary headaches occur for no known reason and there are four groups of these: 1) migraine, 2) tension-type, 3) cluster, and 4) “other” primary headaches. Secondary headaches are those with a specific cause such as sinus/allergy headaches, those associated with eye strain, a known medical condition or those due to cold or flu. Both migraine and cluster headaches are “vascular” (related to the blood vessels expanding inside the head) resulting in a unique set of symptoms that includes nausea, vomiting, pounding/throbbing and can be quite debilitating.

The most common type is the tension-type of headache. A thorough history is necessary because there is no specific diagnostic test (lab or blood test) for tension-type headaches. Hence, the concept is to make sure the headache is not related to some other condition that is diagnosable by a blood or lab test and if present, having that condition properly managed. So, assuming all the tests come back “normal” and all other causes have been eliminated or “ruled out,” the most common type of tension-type headache is “episodic” or, occurs off and on, lasting minutes to days. The pain is usually described as, “…my whole head hurts.” There is typically tightness or tension (NOT throbbing) described in the neck muscles and the intensity ranges from mild to moderate, not usually severe, where laying down is needed. Physical activity does not usually make it worse and there is no sickness to the stomach (nausea/vomiting), and no intense reaction to bright lights or noise (like there is with migraine & cluster types of headaches). There are sub-types of tension headaches that can occur simultaneous with migraines headaches, but the classic “aura” (a before the headache warning associated with migraine headaches) is usually not present.

Chiropractic treatment typically includes gentle mobilization of the neck, and muscle release techniques to take the pressure off of the nerves, as well as exercise, stress and diet/nutritional management.

If you, a family member or a friend live in or near Bellevue and require care, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our service. We are proud that chiropractic care has consistently scored the highest level of satisfaction when compared to other forms of health care provision and we look forward in serving you and your family presently and in the future.

YOU MAY BE A CANDIDATE FOR CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR YOUR HEADACHES! FOR A FREE NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION WITH DR. WEIR CALL 425-635-0495

When I met my wonderful girlfriend, Angela, she suffered with headaches on an ongoing basis. I found that the top bone in her neck (which I refer to as the “headache bone”) was out of alignment and was pinching on the nerves in her neck, causing her headaches. After correcting the alignment of this “headache bone”, her headaches have almost completely disappeared. Now she only gets them if she sleeps in an awkward position. I have had many, many cases just like Angela’s over the years and get amazing results. Because I want to get the word out about how powerful chiropractic is for treating headaches I have made July, “Freedom From Headache” month!

All month I will be holding events to help people understand how chiropractic care can help them get rid of their headaches. On July 16th and the 23rd I will be holding complimentary, no obligation headache evaluations consisting of a headache consultation, and a ProAdjuster scan to assess if someone’s spine is causing his/her headaches. Also on July 23rd at 6pm here at Back in Action I will be holding an informational headache class, on the different types of headaches and how to fix them.

•When bones of the spine lose their normal position or motion, sensitive nerves and blood vessels to the head can be affected.
•When spinal nerves and related tissues are stretched or irritated, they can produce throbbing headaches.
•Aspirin and medications may cover up these warning signs, but do not correct the underlying structural cause.
•90% of people that come into Back in Action Chiropractic suffering from headache have a misalignment in their upper necks.

While I have seen amazing results in my own patients, there is also a growing body of other research that shows that chiropractic treatments are very effective for headaches.

“Researchers found that chiropractic patients experienced fewer side effects (than medication) and while both were effective during the treatment phase of the study, only the chiropractic patients continued to report fewer headaches when treatment ended.” [Boline, PD, Kassak, K, et al. “Journal of Manipulative and Physiological thereapeutics.” March/April 1995; Vol 18, No 3, pp. 148-154]

“Based on literature review of several headache treatment options, a panel of 19 multidisciplinary experts concluded that spinal manipulation resulted in almost immediate improvement for cervicogenic headaches and had significantly fewer side effects and longer lasting relief of tension type headache than a commonly prescribed medication.” [McCrory DC, et al. “Evidence Report: Behavioral and Physical Treatments for Tension type and Cervicogenic Headache.” Duke University Evidence-Based Practice Center, Durham, North Carolina, January 2001.]

Now that you know that there is an answer for debilitating headaches, don’t let your friends and family continue to suffer. I am providing an easy and painless way for your friends and family to find out if chiropractic care would be beneficial in correcting their headaches. I am offering multiple informational events completely FREE of charge to give people an opportunity to find help for their headaches. I am sick of seeing people suffer with headaches and I hope you will help me tell as many people as possible that there is hope. I have also developed a free headache report which goes into much more detail about chiropractic treatments for headaches. You can download this report at www.bellevueheadachereport.com

Through out the month I will also be posting headache related articles to the Back in Action blog at www.backinactionchiropractic.com/blog. If you have any questions or if there is anything we can do to help you please do not hesitate to call us 425-635-0495

Calendar of Events
July 16th and 23rd: Complimentary headache evaluations at Back in Action Chiropractic. Evaluations consisting of headache consultation, physical evaluation and ProAdjuster scan. Please call and schedule as these appointments are filling up fast 425-635-0495

July 23rd 6PM Back in Action Chiropractic Center: ”Freedom from Head aches - An in depth look at Headaches and what to do about them” with Dr. Weir

Sources:

  Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain May 2006, Vol. 46, No. 5: 766-772

  Yahoo News June 21, 2006