 Headache and migraine are among the most common and debilitating conditions that exist in society today. They create a whole range of issues for sufferers, especially a huge loss in productivity for those who suffer with them. While there are more than 56 classifications of headaches according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders, today we will talk about the most common types of headache seen in our practice, and our approach to helping you manage your headaches.   These joint restrictions and tight muscles can be caused by many different things, but most often, we see poor posture (rounded shoulders and head dropped forward) as a major factor. This poor posture often occurs when you are on a screen, whether working at your desk or on a laptop, or using your phone.
There are lots of small changes that make a big difference when altering your posture, so don’t forget to ask us for some ergonomic tips next time you are in for an adjustment! When you come into our practice with headaches, we will ask lots of questions about your headache to make sure we know what is happening for you. We will then do an assessment, which involves checking your posture, range of movement in your neck and palpation (touching your neck and back to feel restrictions or tight muscles). We then work with you to create a plan to reduce your headaches, involving chiropractic care and home stretches and exercises. Evidence suggests that chiropractic care, including spinal manipulation, improves migraine and cervicogenic headaches. So if you have headaches or migraine, consider chiropractic care to help you manage this debilitating condition. And remember, just because headaches are common, doesn’t mean they are normal! References: https://ichd-3.org/ Bryans R, Descarreaux M, Duranleau M, et al. Evidence based guidelines for the chiropractic treatment of adults with headache. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2011; 34: 274-89.
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 Every year in Australia more than 3000 people are hospitalized due
to a concussion from playing sport. However triple that won’t seek medical attention and as many as 10x that number wont report their concussion out of fear of being unable to play. Although some sports - such as football, soccer and ice hockey – have higher instances of concussion, they can occur in a wide range of activities and affect all athletes, from amateurs through to professional players. Concussion is defined as a temporary disturbance to the brain’s function that results when a force to the head (or another part of the body), causes the brain to move rapidly back and forth inside the skull. This movement can injure delicate areas of the brain and impair how it processes information. A concussion is a functional injury rather than structural one and therefore it will not show up on an X-ray, MRI or in a blood test. Due to the potential long- term consequences of a concussion, it’s important to recognise the signs and symptoms. While concussion is often associated with a loss of consciousness, this usually only occurs in about 10% of cases. Most symptoms are subtle, non- specific and can evolve over hours to days following the injury. There are 22 internationally recognized possible symptoms. These include: Headache Dizziness Difficulty concentrating Difficulty remembering Confusion Drowsiness Blurred vision Balance problems Neck pain Nausea or vomiting Fatigue or low energy Trouble falling asleep “don’t feel right” Feeling of “pressure in the head” Sensitivity to light More emotional Sensitivity to noise Irritability Feeling slowed down Sadness Nervous or anxious Feeling “foggy” The short-term symptoms of a concussion are usually reversible and short lived. However, growing research suggests that multiple concussions may increase the risk of developing neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), later in life. Over the past year CTE has been making headlines as we learn more about the long-term effects of head knocks in professional athletes. People with this brain condition usually suffer from cognitive problems, short-term memory loss, emotional instability, personality changes, behavioral changes, depression and suicidal thoughts, all believed to brought on years after multiple blows to the head. CTE can only be diagnosed after death and it has currently been found in 3 ex-AFL players. With sport back to full participation, it’s important to understand the risks and protocols associated with concussions in sport. AFL is the most popular collision sport in Australia, with an average of 6-7 concussions occurring in every 1000 hours played across amateur and professional leagues. New research is also saying that due to the musculoskeletal differences in genders, girls face double the risk of suffering a concussion and developing brain injuries. Currently the AFL’s guidelines around head trauma require players to be sidelined for at least 12 days if they suffer from a concussion. Other sports such as rugby league and soccer have their own rules on return to play, usually requiring a doctor’s approval. Our chiropractors here at BDCC are trained to recognise the early symptoms of concussion and can refer for additional medical attention if needed. They can also play a role in co-managing the recovery process and in helping athletes return to playing sport. If you’d like to know more about concussion, you can read the Concussion in Sport Australia position statement by clicking here |
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August 2021
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