Patients with tension-type headaches (TTH) often experience neck pain and stiffness, which may be a contributing factor in their present headaches. Thus, it’s not uncommon for a doctor of chiropractic to use manual therapies and provide home exercise instruction focused on improving neck function in the effort to reduce headache frequency and intensity. It may […]
Dizziness and the Upper Cervical Spine
Dizziness affects about 15-20% of adults to some extent each year, and it is one of the most common reasons for emergency room visits. One of the three systems that works to help us maintain balance is the proprioceptive system that is made up of mechano-receptors located in our joint capsules, muscles, and more that […]
Is it a Sinus Headache or Something Else?
The sinuses are cavities in the skull that rest just behind the face, which help humidify the air we breathe and may even enhance the human voice. It’s common for patients with a headache in this area to refer to it as a sinus headache; however, the lay term “sinus headache” is somewhat controversial because […]
Headaches, the Neck, and Chiropractic Care
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a term used to describe non-mainstream healthcare approaches—which includes chiropractic care—that are used in conjunction with or in place of conventional medicine. Because the usual treatment approach for headaches often involves medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and acetaminophen—which can cause side effects can affect the stomach, liver, and/or […]
Managing Dizziness By Addressing Cervical Dysfunction
For the elderly adult, falls can result in severe injury and a loss of independence. One major cause for serious falls in the older population is dizziness. While there are many causes of dizziness, one that is often overlooked is dysfunction in the cervical spine that affects proprioception, or the ability to know where parts […]
What Is Occipital Neuralgia?
Occipital neuralgia (OccN) is a somewhat rare form of headache that affects about 3 in 100,000 people a year. How is OccN different than other forms of headache and what treatment approach might a doctor of chiropractic take to manage the condition? This type of headache is characterized by a sharp, shooting pain that radiates […]
Manual Therapy for Cervicogenic Headaches
By some estimates, up to 20% of headaches are caused by a disorder of the cervical spine and its components (bone, disk, and soft tissue) usually accompanied by neck pain. It’s very common for patients with a cervicogenic headache to seek and receive manual therapies—like spinal manipulation and mobilization—from chiropractic care. Spinal manipulation is characterized […]
Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Treatment for Headaches
There are many types of headache and each has an underlying cause that must be addressed to achieve a satisfactory outcome. A 2020 review of research from the previous two decades suggests that the best conservative, non-pharmaceutical approach for headaches may involve either a top-down or bottom-up approach. When the primary cause of a headache […]
Migraines and Lifestyle Choices
For adults under 50 years of age, migraine headaches are one of the leading causes of disability. There are several potential underlying causes for the condition, of which one appears to be a proinflammatory and oxidative state in the body. Fortunately, this can be addressed through healthier lifestyle choices. Low-grade or systemic inflammation happens when […]
Migraine Headache Triggers, Protectors, and Predictors
Migraines are characterized by recurrent headache and a hypersensitivity to sensory stimuli that can trigger an episode. Unfortunately, migraine triggers can vary from patient to patient, which can make understanding and managing the patient’s condition a difficult proposition for both the patient and their doctor. In one study, researchers reviewed data from surveys, patient diaries, […]
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