On Tuesday March 15, 2005 the Spokane daily paper ran an article about migraine headaches and an experimental treatment for them, botox. The article concluded that there are many side effects, and effectiveness of this treatment (like many other medical interventions) has not been proven. Although medications, and even surgery, often give a patient relief from headaches they frequently cause unpleasant (and even dangerous) side effects. Relief is impermanent. A vicious cycle ensues. Patients become dependent on a toxic medication, it stops working, and they change to another medication. The cause of the problem is ignored and toxicity eventually leads to more problems/symptoms.
Chiropractic is the modern, natural healing method that not only gets to the root of the problem, but also does not have side effects because it does not introduce toxins into the body. The root of the problem with headaches; and all other diseases, illnesses and conditions is the inability of the nervous system to adapt to physical, chemical or emotional stress. Chiropractic directly addresses the nervous system. We are born with an innate (unconscious) capacity for growth, healing, and adaptation. The nervous system is in control of these properties. When stress gets in the way the nervous system loses its ability to adapt and heal. Chiropractic restores this innate ability to the nervous system.
Below you will find a number of excerpts, from research papers in scientific journals, that illustrate the effectiveness of Chiropractic care in dealing with headaches. Please share this information with a friend or loved one.
Spinal Manipulation vs. Amitriptyline for the Treatment of Chronic Tension-Type Headaches: Journal of Manipulative Physical Therapy (JMPT), 1995; 18(3):148-154.
This study of 27 headache sufferers found that although both the group who received chiropractic care, and the group who received amitriptyline had relief from symptoms; 4 weeks after treatment had stopped, only the chiropractic group continued to have relief from symptoms.
The Effect of Manipulation (Toggle Recoil Technique for Headaches with Upper Cerical Joint Dysfunction: JMPT, 1994; 17(6):369-375.
This study of 16 female chronic headache patients found that after only two weeks of chiropractic adjustments frequency, duration and severity of headaches dropped form 60-77%.
Spinal Manipulation and Headaches: An Update. Top Clinical Chiropractic, 1995; 2(3):34-46.
This paper is a review of an earlier study that found that of 31 headache subjects who received adjustments for one week; 75% had complete relief, range of motion of the neck significantly increased, and there were greatly reduced reports of dizziness.
The following four citations are case studies. This means that rather than following a group of people, each person is evaluated individually.
Upper Cervical Chiroprctic Care for a Patient with Chronic Migraine Headaches with an appendix Summarizing an Additional 100 Headache Cases: Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research, August 3,2003:1-10.
This patient suffered a concussion at age 23 and suffered from migraine headaches for the next 12 years, during which time she utilized pain medications. Following three months of car headaches had stopped; and after one year, when care was discontinued, the headaches remained absent.
Use of an Upper Cervical Specific Chiropractic Technique in a Subject with Chronic Migraines. 130th Annual Meeting of the American public Health Association, November 11 2002.
A 19-year-old female with a 5-year history of severe migraines 3 times a year that lasted 4-6 weeks was treated with chiropractic adjustments. Headaches were present daily for 5 years, even when they were not migraines. Ten days after her first adjustment she reported her first headache free day in five years. She had no headaches for the remaining three months of the study.
Case Study. Today’s Chiropractic, 1983; 12(5):34-35.
This patient had a 14 year history of migraine headaches following three helicopter crashes in Vietnam in 1968. Headaches had become increasingly worse the five years previous to presenting for treatment. Headaches started at about noon daily and lasted for up to 16 hours. After two months of adjustments the patient had remained headache free for one month.
Case Studies. Today’s Chiropractic, 1985; 14(4):42-43.
Following an auto accident the patient suffered from severe headaches, nausea; and pain in the neck, back arms and left leg. She received three months of intensive chiropractic care. After one month of care symptoms were alleviated.
The patient entered care with headaches, dizziness, pain in the ears, neck pain, back pain, and numbness in her toes. After three weeks of intensive care all symptoms were alleviated.
The patient entered care after suffering from bi-monthly migraine headaches for several years. She received chiropractic adjustments three times a week for 2 and ½ weeks, then continued to be checked and adjusted regularly after that period. Only on migraine occurred in the 16 months following the start of care, and that migraine directly followed a fall on the ski slope.
Do you know someone who suffers from headaches? Please share this with them. We would love to call them for you to explain the benefits of Chiropractic care. Help us help them before toxic medicines cause them even more health problems.
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