Headache Relief from Chiropractic Medicine

Did you know that 9 out of 10 Americans suffer from headaches of different types? But few of them will consider chiropractic medicine for pain relief for many reasons – fear of the unknown, dependence on drugs, and ignorance, to name a few examples. But chiropractic medicine can be an effective alternative method for pain relief, a statement with several studies to prove it.

Related Studies

In chiropractic medicine, doctors use spinal manipulation as the primary form of care provided to patients. Since the spine controls many of the body’s functions, it makes sense to treat the spine in order to treat headaches.

Of course, common sense is different from scientific evidence so scientists have conducted studies to prove or disprove the efficacy of chiropractic medicine in pain relief for headache sufferers. In a Duke University Evidence-Based Practice Center report (2001), the researchers discovered that spinal manipulation resulted in a near-immediate improvement in cervicogenic headaches (i.e., originating from the neck) and in significantly fewer side effects coupled with longer-lasting pain relief among tension headache sufferers than a commonly prescribed painkiller.

Yet another study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (1995) point to the efficacy of chiropractic medicine for headache relief. In it, the researchers found that patients who underwent chiropractic sessions for 4 weeks experienced sustained pain relief in comparison with patients who received medications.

While many sceptics question the overall efficacy of chiropractic medicine in pain relief for headache sufferers – inconclusive results, as it is known among scientists – the growing evidence in its favor cannot be dismissed either. As many satisfied client will say, there’s no harm that can be done when alternative methods like chiropractic medicine will be used in pain relief.

Relevant Knowledge

But before undergoing chiropractic sessions, be sure to gather as much information about it as possible. Keep in mind that while there may be benefits, there are also risks to the alternative treatment especially when you have an underlying medical condition that precludes chiropractic treatment.

Ask your doctor about your suitability for it and follow his advice just to be on the safe side. Your chiropractor will also decide whether you are, indeed, a good candidate for his medical services or not. You must then choose a reliable chiropractor who maintains a reputable practice and who values his reputation in the community.

What can you expect during a chiropractic session? Aside from performing a physical examination and taking down your medical history, your chiropractor will also:

• Perform spinal manipulation, among other chiropractic adjustments, with the purpose of improving your spinal function and alleviate the stress on your spine;
• Offer advice on proper posture, exercises and ergonomics (i.e., use of body-friendly tables and chairs) as well as relaxation techniques that can alleviate, if not eliminate, the pain of chronic headaches; and
• Provide advice on nutrition including changes toward a healthy diet and addition of supplements (e.g., B vitamins) to reduce the frequency, duration and intensity of symptoms.

All of the advice provided by chiropractors is meant to aid the patient – you, for that matter – to lessen your exposure to headache triggers including food, stress and posture.