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Headaches: The Spinal Connection

Chances are you - or somebody you love - battle chronic headaches: the pounding, relentless, pain capable of sidelining work and leisure activitif?s. Fortunately, there's new hopefor headache sufferers. Cutting'-edge research reveals that chiropractic care alleviates most types of head-related pain, including tension headache, cervicogenic headache (commonly associated with neck problems) and migraine.
Why is chiropractic such an effective solution to headaches? Because Dr. Borio goes to the source of head pain rather than masking symptoms with medications, which may have hazardous side effects.
According to Dr. Borio, the root of many headache sufferers' pain lies not in their head but in the spine of their neck. Specifically, scientific studies indicate that a common spinal condition, called vertebral subluxation, is the hidden cause of many patients' pain. The good news is that chiropractic care safely and effectively corrects this disorder and the pain associated with it. Read on to learn how your head pain may have a spinal connection and how chiropractic may be the solution you've been searching for.

What is a vertebral subluxation?

A vertebral subluxation is an area in the spine where movement is restricted or bones (vertebrae) are out of alignment. In patients with headaches, vertebral subluxations are often identified in the spine of the neck (cervical spine) - and are frequently associated with a straightening or reversal of the neck's natural curve ("military neck").

Vertebral subluxations are triggered by a myriad of elements such as poor posture, inadequate exercise and emotional stress.

How do vertebral subluxations cause headache?

The spinal column consists of a series of bones (vertebrae) stacked one on top of the other. These vertebrae are separated by gel-like intervertebral discs, which absorb shock and provide cushioning. Tendons and muscles connect the vertebrae of the spine with the muscles of the back, neck and head. Through the center of the spinal column runs the spinal cord, a primary component of the central nervous system that joins the brain around nose-level. Nerves extend out from the spinal cord between vertebrae - transmitting information to and from structures throughout the body and the brain.

Scientific research indicates that vertebral subluxations trigger headache. (See reverse side of this handout for a sampling of research linking vertebral subluxations with head pain.) But what accounts for this association? Researchers have uncovered two possible explanations: muscular dysfunction and nerve interference.

Muscular Dysfunction Theory
Studies show that vertebral subluxations alter muscular functioning, in turn spurring muscle tension and pain. Because muscles and tendons connect vertebrae in the neck with the head, it's easy to visualize how a misaligned vertebrae in the neck or upper back - or a group of misaligned vertebrae - can
set off a chain reaction that disrupts muscular integrity in the head, spawning pain. This connection between the spine and the muscles of the back, head and neck explains why headache pain is often accompanied by muscular soreness in the neck or upper back.

Nerve Interference Theory
Because the spinal cord courses through the spinal column, and the spinal column is comprised of individual vertebrae, researchers theorize that vertebral subluxations may interfere with nerve flow. Specifically, vertebral subluxations may inhibit transmission between the nerves that emerge between'
vertebrae, the spinal cord and the brain. In this way, vertebral subluxations in the upper back or neck may disrupt nerve flow to the brain, a phenomenon seen in some types of headache.

How does chiropractic care eliminate the spinal triggers of headache?

Chiropractic care eliminates the source of head pain by correcting vertebral subluxations. To accomplish this, chiropractors apply a gentle force to the spine called a chiropractic adjustment. These
maneuvers effectively restoremovement and alignment to the dysfunctional vertebrae.

In addition to chiropractic adjustments, your doctor may suggest ergonomic modifications to your workstation, specific exercises, nutritional changes or stress reduction techniques recommendations all aimed at preventing future vertebral subluxations.

Prevention is key to winning a battle with head pain

As prevention specialists, doctors of chiropractic focus not only on freeing headache patients from pain but also on preventing the pain from recurring. This is accomplished through regular chiropractic checkups. Just as you visit the dentist to prevent painful cavities, visiting the chiropractor can ward off vertebral subluxations and the headaches associated with them.

Checkup frequency is unique for each individual, depending on lifestyle, stress level, exercise regime and work environment. So, ask your doctor of chiropractic what checkup schedule is right for you. If you haven't had a chiropractic checkup in a while, don't delay - schedule an appointment before the onset of pain.

Our purpose is to educate and adjust families toward optimal health