Are You Suffering From Persistent Or Regular Headaches, Migraines & Facial Pain? Here We Discuss Common Triggers & Treatment Options. Call (24/7): 1300-003-777.

Speak to anyone who suffers regular headaches and migraines and you’ll learn how debilitating it can be. It intrigues me how often people tell me that they suffer from normal headaches. There is nothing normal about a headache or migraine. There are many different types of headaches and migraines which cause facial pain and some of these include cervicogenic headaches, tension-type headaches, migraines with/without aura, sinus headaches, cluster (suicidal) headaches, TMJ or jaw dysfunction, infection, temporal arteritis, occipital neuralgia, vestibular migraine, ocular migraine and trigeminal neuralgia. There are many reasons why people suffer headaches and migraines. Triggers that we see often in practice range from stress, hormonal imbalance, blood pressure changes, poor posture, muscle tightness and cervical spine dysfunction.

Anatomy Of The Cervical Spine

The cervical spine consists of seven individual bones which are referred to as vertebrae. As well as their associated musculature, tendons, ligaments, nerves and blood vessels are closely related. If your spine is functioning poorly as is the case with many people who have poor posture and loss of normal cervical lordosis it can lead to compensatory changes in nerve function, muscle tightness, pain and stiffness. A common end result is suffering from headaches and migraines. Chiropractors are well placed to assist these types of cases as they are musculoskeletal rehabilitation experts who provide hands on therapy to the spine, muscles and soft tissues. It’s important to note that not all headaches & migraines are the result of cervical spine dysfunction. In these cases it’s important for your health practitioner to appropriate refer you to someone more suitable.

What Are The Best Headache Treatment Options?

See below for detailed information regarding some of the most common approaches used by headache & migraine sufferers.

Chiropractic

Chiropractors may use a range of treatment techniques that are best suited to your individual situation. Techniques that you may experience for your headache treatment include:

  • Spinal manipulation for cervical spine dysfunction involves adjusting restricted joints (particularly of the upper neck) to improve joint alignment, movement, flexibility and reduce referred headache pain.
  • Joint mobilisation is sometimes a preferred technique as it is more gentle on the joints of the neck and spine. Mobilisation involves stretching joints.
  • Activator methods requires the use of a hand held Chiropractic instrument that makes a characteristic clicking sound when used. This technique is much like joint mobilisation and does not require any ‘cracking’ of joints.
Massage

If your headaches and migraines involve a muscular cause than massage techniques as used by Myotherapists and Remedial Massage therapists can be useful. Techniques may include effleurage, trigger point therapy, ischaemic compression and more which are designed to reduced muscle and soft tissue spasm.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a therapy that uses fine needles which are inserted into specific points around the body to facilitate relaxation and blood vessels changes. Both of these actions reduce pain associated with headaches, migraines and many other musculoskeletal related problems.

Medication

Typical medications which are commonly administered for headaches and migraines include Imigran, Nurofen plus, Mersyndol and Panadine Forte. Please consult with your doctor prior to taking such medications to see if it is safe for your current situation.

Chiropractor Headache Research

  • A 32 year old woman suffering persistent headaches over a 5-month period received Chiropractic care in combination with Acupuncture. It was noted upon follow up that her headaches had resolved and she did not report an episode in the previous 12months suggesting that these methods were an effective headache treatment option. Bahia, O. (2012). Combination of Acupuncture and Spinal Manipulative Therapy: Management of a 32yr old patient with chronic tension type headache and migraine. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 11(3); 192 – 201
  • It has been shown that Chiropractic manipulation improves migraine and headaches of cervicogenic origin suggesting a positive influence in headache treatment. Roland, B et al (2011). Evidence based guidelines for the Chiropractic treatment of adults with headache. Journal of Manipulative Physiological Therapeutics, 34(5); 274 – 289
There are many different types of headache
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