A new direction in chronic headache treatment is establishing a strong link to poor neck movement.
Many chronic suffers have not explored the possibility that their headache is being caused by problems with their neck joints.
Headaches or migraine symptoms actually caused by issue in the neck are coined cervicogenic headaches, according to chiropractor Dr David Diehm, from Family Life Chiropractic.
“Research has shown that about 20 per cent of headaches are cervicogenic, or neck-related,” he said. “They are very responsive to care which aims to restore normal neck movement.”
Research has shown that about 20 per cent of headaches are cervicogenic, or neck-related.
Dr Diehm said it is often frustrating for people to learn they have damage to the neck, as they “haven’t done” anything to injure these joints.
“Our sedentary repetitive lifestyle leads to a slow reversal of our normal neck curve,” he said. “This reverse, called ‘forward head carriage’, is often the result of repetitive device use or sitting at a computer. The changed posture can result in irritation to the nerves and tissues, sensitizing the area.”
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics 15 per cent of the population are taking medication for headaches. It can be a very frustrating condition and impose a significant burden on quality of life.
“Our priority when we first meet someone suffering from headaches is to determine the cause,” Dr Diehm said. “We run a series of neurological tests and examine the spine paying particular attention to the neck. If a neck problem is found, we will take them on as a client as there is a good chance we will see some positive outcomes.
“Our approach with headache clients is to restore correct movement to the individual neck joints. This seems to then have a desenitising effect on the nerves and surrounding tissues. This simple approach has been life-changing to so many of our clients.”
If you experience headaches, Dr Diehm recommends being proactive early and have your neck checked by a professional. Ignoring or prolonging help may compound the problem.
Family Life Chiropractic is located at 59A Stewart Avenue, Hamilton South. For more info ring 4965 4391, visit www.familylifechiropractic.com.au or email info@familylifechiropractic.com.au.
