Did you know there are over 150 different types of headache.

In the most recent Global Burden of Disease study (2022), the estimated global prevalence of headaches is 52%. In Australia, we are not far off. Over 46% suffer from headaches or migraines, that's over 11.9 million people! And women seem to suffer significantly more than men.

Manual treatment and exercise prescription could be a good treatment option for you, rather than a trip to the pharmacy. Research suggests that manual therapists can help, definitely not all types of headaches, but some.

​

Chiropractors are well placed to help and will likely recommend one or more of the following:

​

• Joint manipulation or mobilisation to gently restore movement to your neck and/or thoracic spine

• Dry needling to ease your muscle tightness, pain and swelling

• Myofascial release and Active Release Techniques to address your long-standing tension

• Therapeutic stretching or PNF (Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation)

• Exercise prescription to retrain movement, endurance and control

​

Chiropractic care is a low risk, drug-free and effective form of treatment for headaches and migraines. Get in touch if you are experiencing headaches or migraines, we're here to help.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​​Recommendations in research:

​​

• A Delphi study showed active mobilisation exercises, upper cervical spine mobilisations, passive and active mobilisation with movement, work-related ergonomic training, can be used to treat cervicogenic headaches. And, life-style advice, manual trigger point techniques, and work-related ergonomic training are effective in the treatment of migraine and tension-type headaches (1)

​

• A systematic review of studies involving mobilisations and manipulation are effective in the treatment of cervicogenic headaches (2)​

​

•  A systematic review found evidence that suggests chiropractic care, including spinal manipulation, improves migraine and cervicogenic headaches (3)

​

• A systematic review indicated that cervical manipulation and mobilization with cervico-scapular strengthening was most effective for decreasing pain outcomes in cervicogenic headache population (4)​

​​​