Structural Corrective Chiropractic (SCC) and Headaches

Migraines are an ever-growing health issue throughout not only the Twin Cities but also throughout the country. In fact 15% of all Americans have reported having a severe headache or migraine in the past 3 months with the prevalence being almost double in women compared to men (20.1% versus 10.6% respectively). Women from the ages of 18-44 in their prime years of life were reported to have a severe headache or migraine over a quarter of the time¹.

Tension Headaches

A tension-type headache is the most common headache which is best described as having a band around your head pulling. These headaches aren't just in the head as they also can go to the shoulders, neck, and lastly the scalp. There are subclassifications such as episodic, chronic, and classic which can be discussed more in depth with your chiropractor.

Migraine with Aura

These are migraines that start with a signal that you can pick up on before your migraine starts. The signs for your migraine can include flashes of light, blind spots, vision changes or even tingling in your hands or parts of your face. These signs will start about an hour before your headaches begin.

Migraine without Aura

Being the most common type of migraines, the migraine without aura sneaks up without a sign or signal. They will last anywhere from four hours to even up to multiple days, becoming very disruptive in your day to day life. While you're experiencing this type of migraine you could have sensitivity to light or sounds, anxiety, fatigue or even constant nausea. When experiencing a migraine you may even see other symptoms like abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and difficulty concentrating. Neck pain, hormonal changes, and stress can all be triggers to look out for².

Cluster Headaches

These headaches are the type of headaches that can feel a sharp or stabbing pain behind one eye. It can then progress to a face, head, or neck area but you typically feel it on one side of your face. You may experience a large amount of tears, sweating, or even a running nose on the side of the face that hurts³.

How does Structural Corrective Chiropractic Help?

By finding a structural chiropractic care clinic, there are many methods to help with your headaches in the future. By performing an adjustment specifically in the cervical (neck) region, it can help reduce stress, and tension, and improve spinal function at that area. Improving the mechanical structure and nervous system function at the level it may be able to not only reduce the frequency of headaches but even lower symptoms of headaches and migraines as they occur.

References

1. Percentage of Adults Who Had a Severe Headache or Migraine in the Past 3 Months, by Sex and Age Group - National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2018. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020;69:359. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6912a8

2. Updated on June 18 (2023) What to know about migraine without aura, Healthgrades. Available at: https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/migraine-and-headache/migraine-without-aura (Accessed: 24 June 2024).

3. Cluster headache (2023) Mayo Clinic. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cluster-headache/symptoms-causes/syc-20352080 (Accessed: 24 June 2024).