How Chiropractic Helps With Headaches & Migraine
If headaches are interfering with your work, sleep, concentration or enjoyment of life, it's worth investigating what may be contributing to them.
For some people, problems involving the neck, upper back and surrounding muscles can play an important role.
At South Riverwood Chiropractic, we assess these factors and develop an individualised approach to help reduce symptoms and improve movement.
Could Your Neck Be Contributing to Your Headaches?
The neck and head work together as part of a complex movement system.
Restricted neck movement, muscular tension, prolonged computer use, poor posture and irritation of structures in the upper neck can contribute to some types of headache.
You may notice that your headaches are associated with:
Neck stiffness
Shoulder tension
Prolonged sitting
Computer work
Restricted neck movement
Tender muscles around your neck and shoulders
If this sounds familiar, a musculoskeletal assessment may be worthwhile.
How Chiropractic Can Help
Chiropractic treatment aims to improve the function and movement of the neuromusculoskeletal system.
Depending on your presentation, care may include:
Chiropractic adjustments
Gentle spinal mobilisation
Soft-tissue treatment
Neck and upper-back exercises
Postural advice
Mobility exercises
Strengthening
Advice about work and computer ergonomics
The aim is to address contributing factors rather than simply chasing the headache itself.
Chiropractic and Cervicogenic Headache
There is particularly good evidence for conservative musculoskeletal treatment when headaches originate from the neck, known as cervicogenic headaches.
Research and clinical guidelines support manual therapy, including spinal manipulation, as one treatment option for appropriate patients with cervicogenic headache.
This is one area where a thorough neck and musculoskeletal assessment can be particularly valuable.
What About Migraine?
Migraine is a neurological condition and is different from a typical tension or cervicogenic headache.
However, people with migraine may also experience neck pain and musculoskeletal tension.
Some research has investigated spinal manipulation for migraine and reported potential improvements in headache frequency and symptoms, although the evidence is less conclusive than it is for cervicogenic headache.
For people experiencing frequent or severe migraine, chiropractic care can therefore be considered as part of a broader headache-management strategy, alongside appropriate medical care and lifestyle measures.
What Does the Research Say?
Research has found evidence supporting spinal manipulation and other manual therapies for some headache disorders, particularly cervicogenic headache.
Research from Tuchin, P. et al, through Macquarie University, found that 61% Chronic Migraine sufferers (of 20 years or more), had significant improvements in the frequency and intensity of their migraines. A further 12 Randomised Control Trials have confirmed the benefits of Chiropractic for Migraine, as well as many other non-RCT’s.
The important point is that different headaches have different causes.
That's why we don't treat every headache the same way.
Your Headache Assessment
Your appointment may include an assessment of:
Neck movement
Upper-back movement
Muscular tension
Posture
Spinal and joint function
Lifestyle and activity factors
We then explain what we find and whether chiropractic care is appropriate.
Why Choose South Riverwood Chiropractic?
Headaches shouldn't simply be something you learn to live with.
If your headaches are associated with neck or shoulder tension, restricted movement or prolonged postures, chiropractic assessment may provide another option for managing your symptoms. Dr. Andrew has had substantial improvement in nearly EVERY headache and Migraine presentation at this clinic.
FAQs
Can a stiff neck cause headaches?
Neck dysfunction can contribute to cervicogenic headaches and may also accompany other headache disorders.
Should I see my GP about headaches?
Dr. Andrew will assess your unique presentation. A GP referral may be given, particularly if headaches are new, severe, changing or becoming more frequent. Urgent medical assessment (hospital) is appropriate for a sudden, extremely severe headache or headache accompanied by neurological symptoms.