Chiropractic Care for Headaches in Arlington Heights, IL

Headaches, particularly migraines, can be debilitating and significantly affect an individual’s quality of life. At J & Co. Chiropractic, we are committed to exploring evidence-based treatments that may offer relief. Recent research has suggested that chiropractic care, specifically spinal manipulation, may be an effective approach for reducing headache pain and frequency.

Recent Studies on Chiropractic Care and Headaches

Two recent studies, one published in 2019 and the other in 2016, have investigated the potential benefits of chiropractic treatment for headaches. Both studies found positive results, indicating that spinal manipulation may be a promising alternative or integrative therapy for individuals suffering from migraines.

In the first study, researchers performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of published randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to evaluate the evidence regarding spinal manipulation as a treatment for reducing migraine pain and disability. After analyzing 6 RCTs, they found that spinal manipulation resulted in a significant reduction of migraine days and pain/intensity. However, due to methodological limitations, the researchers considered these results to be preliminary and called for larger, high-quality RCTs to further investigate this potential treatment approach.

In the second study, researchers conducted a 17-month-long randomized controlled trial (RCT) with 104 participants who experienced at least one migraine attack per month. The study compared active chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy (CSMT) to sham treatments and usual pharmacological management. Results showed that both CSMT and placebo interventions led to a reduction in migraine days compared to the control group, with CSMT showing further improvements in migraine duration and headache index. However, the researchers noted that these results may have been influenced by a placebo response.

Types of Headaches that Chiropractic Care May Help With

While these studies focused specifically on migraines, chiropractic care may also be beneficial for other types of headaches including:

• Tension headaches, which are characterized by a tight, pressing pain around the head and neck, may also respond well to spinal manipulation. This is because tension headaches can often stem from muscle tension or misalignments in the spine. By adjusting the spine and reducing tension in surrounding muscles, chiropractic care may provide relief for these types of headaches.
• Cluster headaches, which are severe headaches that occur in clusters or patterns, may also be responsive to chiropractic care. This is because cluster headaches can result from compressed nerves or misalignments in the neck and upper back.
• Cervicogenic headaches, which originate from issues in the cervical spine, may also benefit from chiropractic treatment. By addressing misalignments or imbalances, chiropractors can help alleviate upper back and neck pain caused by the cervicogenic headache.
• Migraine headaches, as discussed in the studies above, may also be treated with chiropractic care through spinal manipulation and other techniques.

How Chiropractic Care Works for Headaches & Migraines

Chiropractic care is based on the theory that proper alignment and functioning of the spine are essential for overall health and wellness. When the vertebrae in the spine are misaligned, they can cause disruptions in nerve function, leading to a variety of symptoms, including headaches.

During a chiropractic session, the chiropractor will perform manual therapies such as spinal adjustments or manipulations using their hands or specialized tools. These adjustments aim to realign the vertebrae in order to improve nerve function and relieve pain or discomfort caused by misalignments.

In addition to spinal manipulation, chiropractors may also use other techniques such as trigger point therapy, physical therapy, deep neck flexion exercises, acupuncture, and lifestyle counseling to address underlying causes of headache pain.

Benefits of Choosing Chiropractic Care for Headaches

There are several benefits to choosing chiropractic treatment for various types of headaches. Some of these include:

• Non-invasive: Unlike some other headache treatments, chiropractic adjustments do not involve medication or surgery.
• Tailored Treatment: Each chiropractic treatment plan is customized based on the individual’s specific needs and preferences, ensuring personalized care.
• Holistic Approach: Chiropractic care focuses on the overall well-being of the patient, taking into account lifestyle factors that may contribute to headaches.

Long-term Relief: By addressing the root cause of headaches, rather than just treating symptoms, chiropractic care can provide long-lasting relief.