Description
This article is from the Natural Migraine
Cures FAQ, by an588@freenet.carleton.ca (Catherine Woodgold)
with numerous contributions by others.
4) Chiropractic treatment
Sometimes the bones in the neck are in the wrong place, and the
little muscles near the bones are tense. This is called
"subluxation". It's like having a crick in your neck. The
nerves that lead out from the spine can be irritated when there
is a subluxation, and this can cause migraines. The bones are very
close to being in the right place, so a medical doctor might say
they are in the right place. A chiropractor treats people by
gently pushing the bones back into place.
Stress on any part of the spine, as from lifting heavy objects
or sitting in a twisted position, can cause subluxations in the
neck, leading to migraine.
Some relief from migraine can be obtained by doing slow, gentle
stretching exercises of the neck. (Rolling motions or sudden
motions are not recommended.) Avoid sitting for a long time with
the head leaning forward, straining the neck. Avoid lying on
your back with your head raised on a pillow. Lying on your back
is OK with no pillow, or with a pillow that supports the neck but
doesn't raise the head much. When lying on your side, a pillow
should support the head and neck. When sitting, for example at
the computer, change position frequently and check for things
like tension in the shoulders from supporting the arms.
Chiropractors usually ask their patients to be x-rayed on the
first visit, but you can ask your chiropractor to treat you
without the x-ray -- they can do this and normally do for
pregnant women.
The body of literature supporting a cervical spine (neck) origin of
headache is substantial.
Vernon [16] found that 90% of patients were satisfied with
chiropractic treatment of headache. (Note: numbers in square brackets
refer to the list of books and articles near the end of this FAQ.)
In a study involving 200 patients, Jirout [9] reported
that...manipulation directed to the areas of fixation resulted in
complete relief in approximately 80% of patients...
A landmark descriptive survey of a chiroparctor's experience in the
treatment of migraine headache was reported by Wight [17]. Eighty
seven patients were included, 34 with common migraine and 53 with
classical migraine. In the common migraine group, 85% of the females
and 50% of the males were greatly improved. In the classical migraine
group, 78% of the females and 75% of the males were greatly improved.
Frykholm [5] describes the confusion associated in the diagnosis of
cervical ( neck) headache by stating: "In my experience, cervical
migraine is the type of headache most frequently misinterpreted. Such
patients have usually received an inadequate treatment and have often
become neurotic and drug-dependent."
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