5th September, 2022: Dr. Duy Duong
HEADACHES
Can Chiropractic
help?
One of the most common presentations we see at Spinal Health and Co. Chiropractic are Headaches. Whether you're working manual labour or at a desk, everyone is prone to having headaches.
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Since headaches are so common, it has been mistook as being the norm. However, this is not the case. A headache is the first sign your body is telling you that something isn't right; it's the bodies alarm system.
In 2007, the World Health Organisation found that 46% of adults are or have suffered from some sort of headache. While there are many possible causes, the most common cause is due to tightness in the musculature of the neck and shoulders, adding stress to the joints of the spine.
Headaches can be classified into multiple categories, the most common being migraine headaches. Migraines are usually on one side and may or may not be accompanied by visual changes such as Aura.
What are the COMMON common causes?
TYPES
of headaches
In addition to migraines, other types of headaches include:
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Tension type: due to tight musculature of the head and neck, tension type headaches present as a tight band wrapping around the head. Some will describe it as wearing a swimming cap.
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Sinus type: There are hollow spaces in the human skull, known as sinus. These sinus can become fluid filled and congested causing pain in the area. They can be found in the forehead, under the eyes, nose and cheeks.
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Cluster Headaches: these are more serious and present as more sever pain. They are debilitating, but rare and more commonly found in men. Cluster headaches build up quickly and presents as instant sharp, deep and intense pain behind the eye and temple. Lasting between 15 minutes to 3 hours, these headaches can repeat 8 times a day.
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Meningitis: Meningitis can lead to death if not diagnosed immediately treated. It is caused due to and infection of the membrane coverings in the brain and spinal cord. The first sign of Meningitis is a sudden severe headache, accompanied by a fever.
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How can Chiropractic care help?
Due to there being a number of causes which present as headaches, it is advised to seek the opinion of a health professional such as a Chiropractic. This will help rule out the more serious types of headaches such as Cluster headaches and meningitis.
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At Spinal Health and Co. Chiropractic, our team of Chiropractors have diagnosed and managed treatment for many headache sufferers. Having completed 5 years of studies dedicated to the bio-mechanics, structure and anatomy of the human body, our chiropractors are able to help assess the pain and suggest an appropriate approach.
The diagnosis of your headache will involve the doctor doing a physical examination, palpation, orthopaedic tests, muscle tests, range of motion assessment, functional tests, neuromuscular exam, and diagnostic imaging such as an ultrasound.
Your chiropractor will assist in:
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Carefully and accurately diagnose your condition
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Perform soft or deep tissue massage to alleviate muscular tension and pain
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Implement spinal manipulative techniques to enforce joint movement and ease disc-related symptoms
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Prescribe stretches and rehabilitative exercises
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Recommend advice and lifestyle changes
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Sources
- ​Ahmed F. Headache disorders: differentiating and managing the common subtypes. Br J Pain. 2012 Aug;6(3):124-32. doi: 10.1177/2049463712459691. PMID: 26516483; PMCID: PMC4590146.
- https://thejournalofheadacheandpain.biomedcentral.com/
- https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpain.2021.705276/full