Headaches are one of the most common reasons for visiting the doctor.

There are many types and causes of headaches. Muscle tension headaches and migraine headaches are by far the most common types, but sinus infections and other problems such as high blood pressure can also lead to headaches.

Regardless of the cause, if you have a headache, you want it to end. Fast!

This has produced a huge market for medications that cover up the symptoms of headaches. Powerful drugs can numb your nervous system so the pain doesn't register. While these approaches may be convenient, they can cause adverse effects and in some cases kidney or liver damage. Worse, they don't correct the underlying cause of the headache.

Headaches can sometimes be caused by neck problems in disguise. This type of headache is called a cervicogenic headache.

Evidence for the best way to treat this type of headache has been lacking – until now.

Cervicogenic headaches may respond well to manipulation, mobilisation and specific exercises research shows. This is good news because this type of headache accounts for one in five of all chronic or long-term headache symptoms.

The research on headaches pulls together lots of studies. Pooling all the results in a so called meta-analysis is a great way to improve the power of individual studies and get some meaningful results. Although the results were not all clear cut in favour of manual therapy the trend seems to indicate that the sort of treatment used by chiropractors is likely to be effective for cervicogenic headaches.

Mark Jones from Well Adjusted Health comments: ‘Cervicogenic headaches are caused by muscle spasms or spinal joint problems in the neck. They affect women four times more than men for some reason. They can be made worse by activities that cause your chin to poke forward such as using a laptop or a computer screen that is set too low. We see many patients who have neck and shoulder symptoms and they are surprised that their headaches are also a symptom that can be successfully treated.’

Chiropractic treatment for cervicogenic headaches uses gentle adjustments to unlock the stiff spinal joints as well as deep muscle release techniques to improve the underlying causes of the pain.

At Well Adjusted Health we can also prescribe specific exercises after identifying the weak muscles in your neck and shoulders, as well as offering advise on lifestyle and posture changes whilst working etc.

If you would like to know if we may be able to help you, give us a call and make an appointment to see us. If you are not sure whether this approach is for you then make an appointment for a check up at no charge. We will tell you whether your headaches are likely to be caused by neck problems and may respond to chiropractic care and treatment.

If you have a specific question regarding any pain or problem areas, or would like to book a Free 15 minute consultation for you or your family please call: Well Adjusted Health on 01903 892171