Headaches and migraines are common conditions that can be caused by a variety of factors, including stress, tension, poor posture, dehydration, hormonal changes, and certain foods or environmental triggers. These conditions can be debilitating and negatively impact quality of life, making effective treatment options crucial for those who suffer from them.
Chiropractic care has been shown to be an effective treatment option for headaches and migraines. Several recent studies, including a 2017 study and a 2020 study, found that chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy was more effective than placebo or sham manipulation in reducing headache and migraine frequency, duration, and intensity. Another study from 2018 found that chiropractic spinal manipulation was equally effective as the drug amitriptyline and that the combination of both therapies was even more effective in reducing migraine frequency and intensity.
The Canadian Chiropractic Association outlines six ways in which chiropractic care can help manage headaches and migraines, including:
- Reducing tension in the neck and shoulders
- Improving spinal function
- Reducing inflammation in the body
- Promoting relaxation and stress reduction
- Providing nutritional and lifestyle counselling
- Offering non-invasive and drug-free treatment options
Chiropractors can use a variety of techniques, including spinal manipulation, soft tissue therapy, and lifestyle counselling, to help their patients manage headaches and migraines. By addressing the underlying causes of these conditions and promoting overall health and wellness, chiropractic care can be a safe and effective treatment option for those who suffer from headaches and migraines.
Written By Dr. TEE, Yew Hao
Reference:
Cca (2022) 6 ways chiropractic care can help manage headaches, Canadian Chiropractic Association (CCA). Available at: https://chiropractic.ca/6-ways-chiropractic-care-can-help-manage-headaches/ (Accessed: 24 June 2023).
Chaibi, A., Benth, J. Š., Tuchin, P. J., & Russell, M. B. (2017). Chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy for migraine: a three-armed, single-blinded, placebo, randomized controlled trial. European journal of neurology, 24(1), 143–153. https://doi.org/10.1111/ene.13166
Lynge, S., Dissing, K. B., Vach, W., Christensen, H. W., & Hestbaek, L. (2021). Effectiveness of chiropractic manipulation versus sham manipulation for recurrent headaches in children aged 7-14 years - a randomised clinical trial. Chiropractic & manual therapies, 29(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12998-020-00360-3
Nelson, C. F., Bronfort, G., Evans, R., Boline, P., Goldsmith, C., & Anderson, A. V. (1998). The efficacy of spinal manipulation, amitriptyline and the combination of both therapies for the prophylaxis of migraine headache. Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics, 21(8), 511–519.