Chiropractic and Headaches

A large percentage of our population experiences headaches from time to time; in the chiropractic profession, we are quite aware of the pain and misery patients experience caused by these headaches. Statistics show that Americans suffer from headaches that range on a pain scale from mild/dull to throbbing, intense, and debilitating, sometimes to the point of requiring bed rest in a dark and quiet room. The most common remedy is to reach for that bottle of pain pills and hope that the headache subsides, thus eliminating the loss of a productive day. Unfortunately, negative side effects of many medications render this approach ineffective, eliminating this option as an answer to the problem. So, what is a better treatment option?

The good news is that many studies have identified spinal manipulation therapy (SMT), the main type of care utilized by a Doctor of Chiropractic, as being highly effective for treating popular types of headaches. This is particularly true for the tension-type headaches that arise in the neck and upper back. An important 2001 study reported that SMT provided almost immediate relief for headaches that arose from these areas with significantly fewer side effects and longer-lasting results compared with commonly prescribed medications.

Another interesting study tracked the prevalence/frequency of headaches after chiropractic adjustments stopped. It was reported that patients receiving SMT continued to experience sustained benefits throughout the following weeks, and even months. This was contrasted to those that took only medications; that group experienced an almost immediate return of symptoms when the medications were discontinued.

The most prescribed medication for tension-type headaches are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NASIDS). Common over-the-counter options include Ibuprophen (Advil, Nuprin, etc) and Aleve (Naproxen). For those who cannot take NASIDS, because of blood-thinners and/or stomach-liver-kidney problems, there is little help unless they take stronger and possibly more hazardous medications. An alternative is acetaminophen (Tylenol) which oftentimes is not as effective and can be hard on the liver and kidneys, especially when taken regularly and over a longer period of time.

What to Expect from a Houston Chiropractor for Your Headaches?

The typical approach begins with a thorough history/examination with an emphasis on evaluating the neck and upper back and the associated function of those areas. Because each patient is unique, the type of care provided will be individually structured based on the evaluation findings. So, if you are looking for a drug-free treatment option to eliminate your headache issue, remember there is another better and healthier option.

Dr. Werner has provided pain relief to patients for over 35 Years. We invite you to take a moment to read our Patient Reviews.

For more information or to schedule and appointment Call (713) 528-8800