Dr. Gregory Kolwaite

Chiropractic adjustments help headaches originating in neck

Question:
Many chiropractors say they treat headaches. How does "adjusting the spine" make a headache go away?

Answer:
Many headaches originate in the neck, and are caused by irritation of the cervical nerves that exit the neck and enter the head.

The cervical vertebrae not only house and protect the spinal cord, but also the vertebral arteries as well.

As these nerves and arteries pass through tiny openings (foramen) between the vertebrae, they are vulnerable to any trauma that may cause misalignment of the spine, which in turn can result in a headache.

Chiropractors can trace the cause of these irritations and make corrective adjustments to the cervical spine, freeing up the blood flow and nerve impulses into the head relieving a headache.

One study showed that migraine headaches also respond to cervical adjustments; 75 percent of migraine patients were greatly improved or completely without symptoms after chiropractic care.

Of course not all headaches are caused by neck problems.
Some headaches are caused by tension, lack of sleep, malnutrition or disease.

It is important to have your health-care provider evaluate you if you suffer from headaches.

Dr. Gregory Kolwaite, whose column appears monthly in the Observer-Dispatch, operates Adirondack Chiropractic at 4947 Commercial Drive, Yorkville 13495. If you have a question, you can write to him at his office address or call 768-7578. The Web site is: www.adirondackchiro.com.

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