LEVINE CHIROPRACTIC


Headaches

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) in Atlanta, Georgia, as many as 45 million
Americans suffer from severe headaches. Sadly, the number of people being affected by
severe headache pain continues to grow each year.

A majority of these headaches are being misdiagnosed as migraines and as a result of this mis-
diagnosis people are prescribed a myriad of powerful medications. Not only do people continue
to suffer for many years, they are also swallowing chemicals with dangerous side-effects on a
regular basis. The headaches as well as the medications negatively affect the quality of life for
every individual that is wrongly labeled as a migraine sufferer. For American business this
translates into billions of dollars in “sick” days and lost productivity.

One of the most common headaches mislabeled as “migraine” is called a  CERVICOGENIC
headache. Cervicogenic means that the cause or the source of the headache pain can be
found in the neck (Cervical spine). The symptoms of this type of headache are typically pain at
the back of the head, behind the eyes and on the front sides (temples) of the forehead. The
pain is usually more severe on one side and quite often there will be associated neck and
shoulder pain and stiffness. Sometimes the pain is described as a pounding or throbbing and
can be so severe that sufferers will stay home from work or abstain from social activity. In some
cases with nausea and sensitivity to light and noise these headaches are thought to be
migraines. Some people have suffered for years not knowing the true nature or cause of their
headaches.

How do cervicogenic headaches develop?

The spinal column is made up of 24 bones called vertebrae. The neck (cervical spine) has
seven of these bones. There are cushions (discs) between each of these bones. The spinal
cord travels down a passageway that is made when all the vertebrae are stacked one on top of
the other. There are small openings on the sides of these vertebrae that allows for nerves,
which extend off of the spinal cord, to travel out and eventually connect to every cell, tissue
and organ system in the body. The integrity of these structures (muscles, ligaments, discs,
nerve roots, joint capsules) can become compromised from trauma (car accidents, bad falls,
sports injuries), years of repetitive strain, poor posture, stress and of course a sedentary life
style. These structures have complex nerve endings which send pain signals from the neck to
the head. An individual will then experience headache symptoms. Typically one takes over-the-
counter medication and when the symptoms are severe enough they will see their family doctor
for stronger prescription medication. Unfortunately in most cases the headache symptoms are
diminished or masked as long as the headache sufferer is taking the medication and the
underlying structural cause is never addressed.

















Medical research proves Chiropractic’s claims

In 1995, a team of MDs at Syracuse University established neck problems as the cause of
many headaches “with scientific anatomical proof.” In an interview published in Toronto’s
leading daily newspaper the founder and president of the North American Cervicogenic
Headache Society, Peter Rothbart, M.D. termed the Syracuse study results “a minor miracle”
and further stated “ Some brilliant people have put their hearts, souls and minds into this
(headache) problem and haven’t come up with anything. All we’ve been able to do is treat
people with an array of medicines, one after the other, and hope the side effects won’t be too
bad.”

He goes on to say, “We couldn’t believe it at first. We’ve been able to put together a scientific
explanation for how neck structure causes headaches- not all headaches, but a significant
number of them. It’s true that chiropractors have been saying this for years…….they were
right.”

Can Chiropractic help you?

To determine if you are a candidate for chiropractic care a thorough health history and
evaluation must be performed. One of the advanced tools that I use in my office is motion x-
rays of the spine. This is known as video-fluoroscopy. This technology allows us to see the
actual vertebral structures that are not moving correctly (if at all). This process takes a minute
or two and the patient gets to view the results immediately.

Chiropractors have been helping headache sufferers for years. It’s amazing how being free of
headache pain can improve your mood, energy, social well being and overall productivity. A
healthy lifestyle of proper nutrition and regular consistent exercise also contributes toward a
healthier life.








LEVINE CHIROPRACTIC, PLLC
10500 NE 8th St., Suite 212
Bellevue, WA. 98004
425-455-0332