Dealing With Cluster Headaches: Can a Chiropractor Help?
Cluster headaches aren't like regular headaches. These headaches come and go with no warning and don't seem to have triggers. They are very resistant to pain relief, and nobody really knows why they happen.
After your first cluster headache has gone, you'll get a brief respite until the next headache starts. This cycle lasts until the end of the cluster period. This period could last for days or even weeks.
While your doctor can try to help you manage or eliminate cluster headaches, they are difficult to treat. Your doctor may have suggested that you try alternative treatments to see if they help. For example, they may talk to you about seeing a chiropractor.
How do chiropractors treat cluster headaches, and will this work for you?
Chiropractic Treatments For Cluster Headaches
Chiropractic treatments work on the basis that the structure of the body can be utilised to promote healing. They look at misalignments in the musculoskeletal system, such as the spine.
The premise here is that they can help patients deal with illnesses, medical conditions and damage all over the body by fixing misalignments in a corresponding area. This usually involves manipulation or adjustments.
If you see a chiropractor about cluster headaches, they are likely to focus on looking at the vertebrae in your neck. They know that this is where most headache problems usually come from.
So, the chiropractor may take an x-ray of the area to check the positioning of the vertebrae. If they spot a misalignment in your neck, they adjust the problem areas to make sure everything is where it should be. They typically use manipulation techniques to do this.
Will a Chiropractor Fix Your Cluster Headaches?
No medical professional in any field has found a guaranteed way to fix cluster headaches and prevent them from happening. If your GP can't do anything more for you at the moment, then seeing a chiropractor is a good next step.
Chiropractors have some success in treating headaches. If your neck does have a problem, then it makes sense that you might get headaches as a result. So, if your chiropractor can fix your neck, your cluster headaches may stop. Even if you get them in the future, the pain may be less intense.
To find out more about chiropractic headache treatments, contact local chiropractors. When you tell them about your problem, they will give you more information on how they might be able to help.