Headaches are one of the most common physical complaints we suffer from. It is estimated that 57% of men and 76% of women report at least one significant headache each month. Headaches are so common that many people believe they are unavoidable and the only treatment is to self-medicate with over the counter Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) such as ibuprofen or aspirin. Many people never seek treatment for their headaches and just “live with the pain.” When a person does seek treatment it is often because the headache has either become unbearable (affecting lifestyle) or worrisome (they think there may be a tumor), or there was some sort of head trauma. Fortunately, most headaches can be treated safely without drugs.
Headache pain can have many different sources from a variety of conditions. The first step in treating ones headaches is identifying the type and source of the headache. The most common headaches are tension, migraine, and cluster. Often keeping a “headache diary” will give your doctor necessary information to identify the source and type of headache you suffer from. The diary should include information such as time, date, and duration of the headache, severity of pain, and recent activity or other cause of pain.
The most common type of headache is a “tension headache.” The muscles and joints of the neck and upper back cause a tension headache. This type of headache feels like a dull, throbbing ache that originates at the base of the skull and radiates to the top of the head or behind the eyes. The pain can be constant or come and go throughout the day. If your headache normally follows times of high stress or workload, it is probably a tension headache.
Migraine headaches are the second most common type of headache. They strike with debilitating intensity. There is often a predictable “prodrome” just before the onset of a migraine. During this period, the person may get “tunnel vision”, sensitivity to light or sound, and numbness or tingling of the face or entire side of body. This may progress to nausea and vomiting. Following the prodrome, the headache occurs. The pain may last several hours, and sometimes days. There are many common triggers for migraines. These triggers include sleep disturbances (too much or too little), certain odors (perfumes, household cleaners), and other environmental factors. Food sensitivity is a common trigger. Foods that may trigger a migraine include: chocolate, red wine, processed foods, milk, nightshade vegetables (i.e. tomatoes), cured meats, cheeses, caffeine, and foods containing tyramine. There are also migraines that occur without a prodrome called migraine without aura. Tension headache and migraine without aura are very similar and may coexist.
Cluster headaches are recurrent, orbital (in the eye) headaches that are extremely painful lasting for 30 minute to 2 hours, clustering over a week or more (multiple times a day). There is an association with cigarette smoke as a trigger and alcohol as an exacerbating factor. Associated with the headache people often get excessive tearing of the eye, a runny nose, contraction of the pupil, and a drooping eyelid.
Treatment
Chiropractic adjusting effectively treats tension and cervicogenic headaches. The joints and muscles that cause these headaches respond well to the manipulative therapy unique to chiropractic. In addition to adjusting, rehabilitative exercises and stretches help relieve the muscle tension and spasm that trigger the head pain. Additionally, there are nutritional supplements which help decreases muscle spasm and inflammation.
Chiropractic adjusting may also decrease migraine pain. During the prodrome of the migraine, an adjustment to the neck can stop the migraine from progressing, lessen the intensity of the pain, or relieve the pain altogether. Furthermore, regular adjusting of the neck can prevent headaches for some people. Lifestyle modification can help prevent migraines. Most people are able to identify several triggers of the headaches. Avoiding the triggers will prevent the headache from forming. Additionally, the nutritional supplement Feverfew may help break the cycle of migraines if taken preventatively.
Treatment of cluster headaches is similar to migraines. As stated above tobacco smoke is a common trigger and the headaches increase with alcohol consumption. Avoiding environmental exposure to smoke helps prevent cluster headaches. A headache journal may help find additional triggers. Once identified, these too can be avoided. Many people who suffer cluster headaches respond well to chiropractic adjusting of the neck. The adjustment will either break the sequence of the headaches or reduce the symptoms to a manageable level.
Conservative management of headache pain through chiropractic adjusting is a safe, drugless approach to treatment. Many find relief through chiropractic treatment. However, if a trial of conservative treatment is ineffective, then you may be referred for further evaluation and treatment. Migraine and cluster headaches especially may require prescription medication.
For more information on headaches or chiropractic treatment, call Alaska Advanced Care Chiropractic at 262-6050
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