If your headaches are caused by your neck, there is a very good chance that they would be eliminated by correcting the problems in your neck. Simple x-rays can help

Headaches are a symptom and the origin of the pain needs to be thoroughly investigated. Headaches can be caused by many different things including but not limited to hormone imbalances, neck misalignment, muscular tension, low blood sugar and many others. If your headaches are caused by your neck, there is a very good chance that they would be eliminated by correcting the problems in your neck. Simple x-rays can help determine if your headaches are caused by your neck. The doctors of South West Health are well equipped to discern the exact cause of your headache and get you the relief you need. Give us a call to get started today. 949.631.5226

In the October 2009 issue of The Spine Journal, Western States Chiropractic College, Center for Outcomes Studies, reported benefits are obtained with the utilization of spinal manipulation in the treatment of chronic cervicogenic headaches.

The word "chronic" means at least 3 months of headache pain has been present. This new study compared 2 different doses of therapy using several outcome measures including the pain grade, the number of headaches in the last 4 weeks and the amount of medication utilized. Data was collected every 4 weeks for a 24 week period and patients were treated 1-2 times/week and separated into either an 8 or a 16 treatment session with half the group receiving either spinal manipulative therapy or a minimal light massage (LM) control group.

The results of the study revealed the spinal manipulation group obtained better results than the control group at all time intervals. There was a small benefit in the group that received the greater number of treatments with the mean number of cervicogenic headaches reduced by 50% in both pain intensity and headache frequency.

The importance of this study is significant as there are many side effects to medications frequently utilized in the treatment of headaches. Many patients prefer not taking medications for this reason and spinal manipulation therapy (SMT) offers a perfect remedy for these patients. Couple SMT with dietary management, lifestyle modifications, stress management, and a natural, vitamin/herbal anti-inflammatory (such as ginger, turmeric, boswellia) when needed, a natural, holistic approach to the management of chronic headaches is accomplished.