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Conditions and Diseases > Headache and Migraines Forum > chiropractic treatment for headaches and back pain
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Q: chiropractic treatment for headaches and back pain
asked by: DoctorQuestion on May 21st, 2009
I am a 59 year old woman and frequently wake up during the night with a severe headache in the back and top of my head. I do get migraines but these headaches are different and bother me even more. I take Darvocet and aspirins but they don't usually help. I sometimes feel nauseous and have a lot of trouble getting back to sleep. The pain starts to lessen very soon after I get up in the morning and after about an hour (and a cup of coffee) the headache is usually almost gone. I am wondering if this could be tension (I have a situation that I am worried about) or the position of my head and neck during the night. I use a memory foam pillow that I think give good support and I sleep on my side. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!


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Dr. Antonio Marotta , D.C.
replied on May 26th, 2009
Headache and Migraines Answer A6664
The symptoms of headache and head pain that you describe are consistent with muscle tension on the muscles of the back of the head/neck, and also what we call "the vertebral subluxation complex". Basically the VSC is when the joints of the spine are not moving properly.





The vertebrae in the neck are very moble (think of all the ways your head moves), when they are not moving properly or are stuck they can cause pain in the head or even other areas of the body.





The muscles of the neck are also intimately correlated with headaches. The muscles at the base of the skull have been found to be attached to the dura mater in the neck (the outer lining of the brain and spinal cord). If these muscles are tight then they can pull on the outer lining of the brain and cord and cause "meningeal tension/compression", in effect squeezing down on the brain and spinal cord.








Chiropractic treatments can be very effective in the treatment of headaches and muscle pain. It is suggested that you consult with a chiropractor to see if your case can be treated with chiropractic care. Good luck





Antonio Marotta, D.C.













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