Chronic headaches and migraines afflict many Americans. The severity of pain can go from mild and intermittent to episodes of debilitating throbbing, unrelenting agony, as well as nausea. Temporary relief comes from a variety of means, including over-the-counter medications and prescription drugs, rest, and ice/heat packs on the forehead or neck, but these remedies do just that, provide temporary relief. Sources of headaches include, but are not limited to, neck tightness, poor posture, smartphone usage, certain kinds of foods, sounds and excessive noise or bright lights, changes in blood sugar, and even too much exercise.
Chiropractor Care for Chronic Headaches and Migraines
Recent studies have shown that patients suffering from chronic headaches and migraines may benefit more long-term from chiropractic care than drug therapy alone. For headaches that originate in the cervical, or neck, area, chiropractic treatment, such as spinal manipulation, has been shown to be quite effective. A 2001 Duke University study, for example, found that spinal manipulation provided relief for patients with headaches that originate in the neck, and resulted in fewer side effects than medication.
Close to 15 percent of people who visit a chiropractor do so to seek relief for pain from chronic headaches or migraines, according to the American Chiropractic Association, and find great relief.
