Can you help me with...?

Each year millions of people are enjoying the most popular natural, drug-free healthcare system in the world – chiropractic! Chiropractic helps people function closer to their physical and emotional best, recover from sickness, disease and disability faster and minimize the use of drugs and surgery in their lives! Many who choose a chiropractic lifestyle report less stress, more vitality and more enjoyment in life!

Headaches & Migraines

Some Facts About Headache

  • 85% of the population have experienced headache within the last year and up to 35% of adults will have had a headache in the last two weeks
  • Many headaches previously considered to be tension headaches are related to mechanical disorders of the cervical spine or other structures
  • Drug indeced headaches are common more common in people that regularly use analgesics for pain relief.
  • 5% of children suffer from migraine by the age of 11 years.
  • Eye strain in not a common cause of headache.

    • Types of Headaches

    There are several different types of headache, the most common being cervico-genic tension type headaches. They are typically headaches with constant pain lasting days which have many components such as tension, depression and cervical dysfunction. Other types include: Migraine, Cervical Dysfunction, Frontal Sinusitis, cluster headache, Drug Rebound Headache, Hypertension Headaches and many more.

    Tension Headaches

    Tension type headaches are caused by a symmetrical tightness in the muscles of the cervical spine and scalp, they can last for hours and are often created by increases in stress and anxiety. The pain of these headaches is frontal over the forehead and temples. It is of a dull nature and often feels like a hatband tightening, it usually begins during the day and becomes worst with time. A tension headache is often released by various relaxation techniques however, treatment is often necessary for lasting relief, see your chiropractor for effective relief.

    Migraine Headaches

    Migraine literally means pain involving half the head. Affecting 1 in 10 people, and more common in females There are many different types of migraine or vascular headache, some of these include the common migraine with its associated visual aura, Cluster Headache and Menstrual Migraine.

    Clinical features of the typical migraine include an intense throbbing pain which may last from 4 hours to up to 72 hours. Migraine Headaches can be triggered by a variety of foods, stress and some types of activity. Depending on the level of debility migraine headache sufferers may have a joint management team with a GP, Chiropractor and masseur. They often require prophylactic treatment to reduce the severity and frequency of their migraines.

    Cluster Headaches

    Cluster headaches usually occur during the night in the early hours of the morning from 1-3 times a day at regular times almost like clockwork, they begin rapidly and last from 15 minutes to 2-3 hours. They more commonly occur in males and is rare in childhood. During the periods of active cycles alcohol can be a aggravating factor.

    Cervicogenic Headache

    This type of headache is probably one of the most common headaches and is referred to as occipital neuralgia. The headache can be caused by abnormalities in any structure innervated by the upper two cervical nerves. This type of headache is often incorrectly diagnosed as migraine. Cervico-genic headaches are often found at the back of the head, it radiates to the eye and is of a nagging dull ache. It can often occur daily and can last anywhere from one to six hours is can appear at any time throughout the day but usually upon waking in the morning. Tenderness can be felt in the joints of the cervical spine and often in the shoulder muscles.

    Cervicogenic headache can be aggravated and triggered by such events as a motor vehicle accident, large falls and bumps sustained poor postures and various other mechanical events common in today’s lifestyle.

    Drug Rebound Headache

    Drugs can also be a major factor causing headaches. Some of the most common drugs causing headaches include the following: Alcohol, Analgesics eg aspirin, codeine (rebound headaches). Antihypertensives, Caffeine, corticosteroids, NSAIDS, oral contraceptives, and many more. Many of these drugs are used in the medical treatment for pains including headache and migraine, however with prolonged use the common side effect is headaches and migraines. Use these drugs sparingly and if you do experience recurrent pain in the head then consult your chiropractor and look to the natural alternative it may be just what your looking for. We can be contacted on: The Templestowe Family Chiro 265 Thompsons Raod Lower Templestowe Vic 3107 Ph: (03) 9850 2110