How to Manage Headaches with Chiropractic?

Do you get headaches or migraines? Are they affecting your work and personal life? Read on to find out how you can manage them naturally without any pain killers!

Resolution

The Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research produced case reports involving improvements in headaches following Chiropractic care. The first featured a 59-year old male presenting with headaches, neck pain and rheumatoid arthritis. The case appeared in the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research and hypothesized:

the Upper Cervical Subluxation may be a contributing factor to rheumatoid arthritis-related pain [1].

While the case-report focused more attention on the rheumatoid arthritis (and the course of care lasted 12 sessions over 10.5 weeks), it is interesting to note an improvement for headaches and neck pain, resolving after the FIRST adjustment and the patient discontinued medication.

The Journal of Pediatric, Maternal and Family Health looked at a complex case. The patient was an 11-year old male with autism, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), presenting with headaches that were affecting sleep and school attendance. Care was focused on the reduction of vertebral Subluxations, several of which were noted in the case report (referenced below [2]).

With this case there was a marked improvement in his headaches

A third case report involved a 13-year old who had been in a motor vehicle collision, developing chronic neck pain with headaches and dizziness following the accident. He had a significant cervical kyphosis (neck curving forward instead of backwards, which is healthier) and that a reduction in headaches occurred in tandem with a return to lordosis (curving backward, medically healthy). There was a gradual return of symptoms in the year following the patient’s discontinuation of care.

It prompts the question: what happens when we allow these familiar Subluxation patterns to return untreated?

These case reports featured male patients and different Chiropractic techniques. The final case was a female patient who had a 10-year history of headaches and migraines by 23 years of age! (Read more about migraines here)

Her management plan was medication-based and reported as essentially ineffective. She was cared for using Diversified, Grostic and Thompson Techniques as well as an Upper Cervical technique only on a number of visits, with the goal to correct Subluxation. Of specific note to the, the authors stated:

For a month thereafter, the patient remained completely migraine-free after only being adjusted upper cervically on two separate visits. Her cervicalgia and low back pain continued to steadily improve as well. She was only experiencing slight headaches intermittently throughout the week that were rated as 3/10 on the VAS. After 10 weeks of continued care like previously mentioned, the patient reported that all her presenting complaints of chronic migraines, neck pain, and low back pain had completely resolved.

After a discussion with her neurologist about how Upper Cervical Chiropractic care had resolved her migraine episodes, the neurologist agreed she could discontinue the prescription medication regime

The Neck – Headache Link

A number of basic science research studies have linked neck pain to headaches. Chiropractic has a proven record with neck pain and management for headaches or migraines, and many Chiropractic patients present with such complaints.

We have an epidemic of people looking down at smartphones, laptops and handheld devices which induces forward head posture and places huge amounts of undue stress on the cervical spine [7] (Read more about The Causes of Neck Problems, here). This is to say nothing of the complications of sedentary lifestyles where forward head posture and cervical hyperkyphosis is present.

It seems the headache-neck pain connection is an easy one to argue, especially when there are cervicogenic connections. Headaches have long been a concern for post-whiplash patients, neck pain patients or even certain types of athletes [8].

The term cervicogenic headache includes unilateral pain starting from one side of the posterior head and neck, migrating to the front and sometimes associated with arm discomfort. It is also aggravated by certain neck positions.

Cervicogenic headaches are a final common pathway for pain generating disorders of the neck. Bogduk has proposed that the pathophysiology of cervicogenic headaches results from a convergence of sensory input from the Upper Cervical spine into the trigeminal spinal nucleus, including input from: Upper Cervical facets, Upper Cervical muscles, C2-3 intervertebral disc, Vertebral and internal carotid arteries, Dura mater of the upper spinal cord, [and] Posterior cranial fossa [8].

The links to cerebellar processing and mental response times are making themselves increasingly clear in the world of research, and basic science indicates that when there is neck pain, headaches may be lurking somewhere close. Read here for more about Chiropractic and Jaw Problems.

So what’s the take-away? When it comes to a remedy for headaches and migraines, the best thing you can do is to find a trained Chiropractor with a specialisation in Upper Cervical technique. This corrects Subluxations, enabling the body to achieve optimal neurological function and heal naturally.

FAQs

Can chiropractic care in Singapore help relieve headaches?

Yes, chiropractic care can address the underlying causes of headaches, such as muscle tension or misalignment, providing relief and reducing their frequency.

How does chiropractic in Singapore approach headache management differently?

Chiropractic in Singapore takes a comprehensive approach, addressing not only the symptoms but also identifying the root causes of headaches.

Are there specific chiropractic techniques used in Singapore to manage headaches?

Chiropractors in Singapore may employ various techniques like spinal adjustments, muscle therapy, and postural corrections to manage headaches effectively.

Can chiropractic in Singapore help with migraines as well?

Yes, chiropractic care in Singapore can be beneficial for managing migraines by addressing musculoskeletal imbalances, reducing nerve irritation, and promoting overall well-being.

How many chiropractic sessions are typically needed to see results for headaches in Singapore?

The number of sessions required may vary, but many patients experience significant improvement in their headaches with a course of chiropractic cares in Singapore.

Is chiropractic care in Singapore suitable for all types of headaches?

Chiropractic care in Singapore can be suitable for various types of headaches, including tension headaches and cervicogenic headaches, as it aims to address their underlying causes.

Since 2013, Upper Cervical Chiropractor, DC. Shaan Rai helped patients achieve greater health, relocating to Singapore in 2016 and founding Vitality Chiropractic Centres. He has an impressive track record in providing relief and solutions for people who experience nerve system problems, such as headaches, migraines, dizziness, vertigo or neurological conditions.

Take your life back.

Manage migraine with us today.

For a Complimentary, no-obligation call with the Chiropractor or to book a Consultation, call +65 8438 9550 or email help@vitalitychiropracticcentres.com to find out if we can help you at our Chiropractic Clinic in Singapore.

REFERENCES:

1. Slagel J (2019), Resolution of Headaches and Neck Pain in a 59-Year-Old Male with Rheumatoid Arthritis Undergoing Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care, Journal Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research, March 14, 2019, pp. 19-27, https://www.vertebralsubluxationresearch.com/2019/03/13/resolution-of-headaches-neck-pain-in-a-59-year-old-male-with-rheumatoid-arthritis-undergoing-upper-cervical-chiropractic-care-a-case-report/
2. Stone L, Alcantara J (2019), Resolution of Chronic Headaches, Improved Sociability, Health and Physical Behavior in a Child with Autism, ADHD and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Following Chiropractic Care to Reduce Vertebral Subluxation: A Case Report and Review of Literature, Journal of Pediatric, Maternal and Family Health Chiropractic, 2019, pp. 63-70
3. Underhill M, Oakley P, and Harrison D, (2019), Improved Cervical Lordosis Following Chiropractic in an Adolescent with Chronic Cervicogenic Symptoms form a Motor Vehicle Collision: A Case Report and Review of the Literature, Journal of Pediatric, Maternal and Family Health Chiropractic,2018, pp. 99-108 https://www.vertebralsubluxationresearch.com/2018/09/19/improved-cervical-lordosis-following-chiropractic-in-an-adolescent-with-chronic-cervicogenic-symptoms-from-a-motor-vehicle-collision-a-case-report-review-of-the-literature/
4. Richerson A, Varnum C and Alcantara J (2019), Resolution of Chronic Migraines and Neck Pain in a 23-Year-Old Female Following Chiropractic Care for Vertebral Subluxations: A Case Study and Review of the Literature, Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research, July 2019, pp. 90  103
5. Malo-Urries M, Tricas-Moreno JM, Estebanez-de-Miguel E, Hildago-Garcia C, Carrasco-Uribarren A, Cabanillas-Barea S (2017), Immediate effects of upper cervical translatoric mobilization on cervical mobility and pressure pain threshold in patients with cervicogenic headache: a randomized controlled trial, JMPT, Nov  Dec;40(9):649-658. DOI: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2017.07.007.
6. Lidegaard M, Anderse LL (2018), Association Between Trapezius Muscle Tenderness and Tension-Type Headache in Female Office Workers: a Cross-sectional Study, JMPT Jul  Aug;41(6):483-487. DOI: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2017.10.016. Epub 2018 Aug 8
7. Staff writer (2016), Stress on the Spine: the downside of prolific social media use. Australian Spinal Research Foundation, https://spinalresearch.com.au/stress-on-the-spine-the-downside-of-prolific-social-media-use/
8. Page P (2011), Cervicogenic Headaches an evidence-led approach to clinical management, International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3201065/