Headache Research

More good news for headache sufferers A new study just published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics confirms again that chiropractic is the treatment of choice for headache. 53 subjects with recurring headaches were split into two groups; one was treated with deep massage to the muscles of the neck, the other was given chiropractic adjustments. Both were treated twice a week for three weeks, and were reevaluated two weeks after the treatment was finished. The results were amazing. The group that was treated by a chiropractor had 70% less “headache hours” per day, meaning the total amount of time they were in pain was reduced by 70% after only 6 treatments. The severity of the headaches they did have was reduced by 35%. Because they felt better, they used 36% less painkillers. The group that got only deep massage had a 37% reduction in the number of “headache hours”, the severity was reduced by 17% but this group did not use any fewer painkillers after the treatment. These improvements are actually less impressive than the results chiropractors get with their patients. There were two limits on the treatment given in the study that regular treating chiropractors do not have. In the study, patients could not be treated more than six times, and the treatments could not be mixed. I find that most patients continue to improve after six visits, and they almost always do better when both adjustments and deep pressure massage are used. If you are suffering with headache, the research suggests the safest, most effective and lasting treatment is chiropractic.