Natural Headache ReliefNatural Headache Relief

Dr. Richard BurgDr. Richard BurgChiropractor, Nutrition Consultant, Certified ART® ProviderChiropractor, Nutrition Consultant, Certified ART® Provider

DisclaimerDisclaimer

Acute & chronic headaches may be a sign Acute & chronic headaches may be a sign of a serious underlying disease or of a serious underlying disease or condition.condition.

It is imperative that you see your physician It is imperative that you see your physician or health care provider to determine the or health care provider to determine the cause of your headaches.cause of your headaches.

This lecture is not intended to diagnose or This lecture is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition.treat any condition.

Headache StatisticsHeadache Statistics

The costs of lost work and productivity due to migraine The costs of lost work and productivity due to migraine headaches is estimated to be $13 to $17 billion annually.headaches is estimated to be $13 to $17 billion annually.57% of men and 76% of women report at least one 57% of men and 76% of women report at least one significant headache per month!significant headache per month!Estimates are that 10% of children 5 to 15 years and Estimates are that 10% of children 5 to 15 years and 28% of adolescents experience migraine headaches28% of adolescents experience migraine headachesThe negative impact of migraine headaches on a The negative impact of migraine headaches on a person’s quality of life is greater than that of person’s quality of life is greater than that of osteoarthritis, hypertension or diabetes according to one osteoarthritis, hypertension or diabetes according to one study.study.70% to 90% of whiplash patients develop a headache.70% to 90% of whiplash patients develop a headache.11

Types of HeadachesTypes of Headaches

Classic Migraine (with Aura)Classic Migraine (with Aura)

Common Migraine (w/o Aura)Common Migraine (w/o Aura)

Tension-TypeTension-Type

CervicogenicCervicogenic

MetabolicMetabolic

ToxicToxic

Classic MigraineClassic Migraine

Unilateral throbbing headache preceded by an Unilateral throbbing headache preceded by an AuraAuraProdrome of a progressive scotoma surrounded Prodrome of a progressive scotoma surrounded by flashing lightsby flashing lightsLasts from several hours up to 3 daysLasts from several hours up to 3 daysOnly 10% to 15% of all migrainesOnly 10% to 15% of all migrainesCause now thought to be neurogenic, with Cause now thought to be neurogenic, with changes in neurotransmitters (serotonin, changes in neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine) leading to brain polarization changes dopamine) leading to brain polarization changes and vascular changes.and vascular changes.

Common MigraineCommon Migraine

Includes 80% to 85% of all migrainesIncludes 80% to 85% of all migraines

No prodrome or AuraNo prodrome or Aura

Unilateral and vomiting provides reliefUnilateral and vomiting provides relief

Statistics indicate 4.1 per 100 persons in Statistics indicate 4.1 per 100 persons in the US have migraine headachesthe US have migraine headaches22

Migraine SolutionsMigraine Solutions

Chiropractic adjustments: One study showed Chiropractic adjustments: One study showed 77% of participants (83 persons treated with 77% of participants (83 persons treated with spinal adjustments) had a 50% reduction in spinal adjustments) had a 50% reduction in severity of symptoms and 22% had a 90% severity of symptoms and 22% had a 90% reduction in migraine frequency, duration and reduction in migraine frequency, duration and disabilitydisability33

Butterbur root extract: 75 mg 2x/day reduced Butterbur root extract: 75 mg 2x/day reduced frequency 48%, reduced frequency ≥ 50% in frequency 48%, reduced frequency ≥ 50% in 68% of adult patients68% of adult patients44 and 77% of and 77% of children/adolescentschildren/adolescents55

Migraine SolutionsMigraine Solutions

Magnesium citrate 600mg/day resulted in Magnesium citrate 600mg/day resulted in significant decreases in severity and significant decreases in severity and frequency compared to a control groupfrequency compared to a control group66

B Vitamins, especially Riboflavin B Vitamins, especially Riboflavin deficiency is related to migrainedeficiency is related to migraine77

Consider gut renewal, identifying food Consider gut renewal, identifying food allergens, detoxification and probiotic allergens, detoxification and probiotic supplementation to improve digestive tract supplementation to improve digestive tract health.health.

Tension Type HeadacheTension Type Headache

Can be the result of a transformed Can be the result of a transformed migraine as a result of chronic drug usemigraine as a result of chronic drug use

Is typically bilateral, frequent and occur Is typically bilateral, frequent and occur later in the daylater in the day

May last for days or weeksMay last for days or weeks

Often associated trigger points in the neck Often associated trigger points in the neck and suboccipital regionand suboccipital region

Cervicogenic HeadacheCervicogenic Headache

Approximately 20% of chronic headache sufferersApproximately 20% of chronic headache sufferers4 times more prevalent in women4 times more prevalent in womenMay be due to head or neck injury (whiplash) but not May be due to head or neck injury (whiplash) but not alwaysalwaysOften a unilateral headache that does not change sidesOften a unilateral headache that does not change sidesOften associated reduced motion in the neck due to Often associated reduced motion in the neck due to pain.pain.Thought to be due to reduced neurological input into the Thought to be due to reduced neurological input into the trigeminocervicalnucleus from reduced or altered trigeminocervicalnucleus from reduced or altered cervical spine motion (lack of pain inhibition).cervical spine motion (lack of pain inhibition).

Tension Type & Cervicogenic Tension Type & Cervicogenic SolutionsSolutions

Respond well to chiropractic cervical Respond well to chiropractic cervical adjustments.adjustments.8,98,9

Myofascial release therapies can be of Myofascial release therapies can be of benefit to improve neck motion and reduce benefit to improve neck motion and reduce nerve and vascular impingement in the nerve and vascular impingement in the suboccipital region.suboccipital region.99

Metabolic HeadacheMetabolic Headache

Causes include:Causes include:– Hypo and hyperthyroidismHypo and hyperthyroidism– HypoglycemiaHypoglycemia– HypertensionHypertension– AnemiaAnemia– Hypo and hyperadrenalismHypo and hyperadrenalism– Hypoxemia (due to high altitude)Hypoxemia (due to high altitude)– Hypercapnia, due to COPDHypercapnia, due to COPD– Many other rare conditionsMany other rare conditions

Treatment: Treat the underlying diseaseTreatment: Treat the underlying disease

Toxic/Rebound HeadacheToxic/Rebound Headache

Toxic headaches can occur when you are Toxic headaches can occur when you are exposed to toxins in the environment.exposed to toxins in the environment.– Chemicals, fumes, pollution, allergens Chemicals, fumes, pollution, allergens – Lead, insecticides, alcohol (acetaldehyde), carbon Lead, insecticides, alcohol (acetaldehyde), carbon

monoxidemonoxide

Rebound headaches occur with overuse of Rebound headaches occur with overuse of medications (analgesics) and/or caffeine and medications (analgesics) and/or caffeine and then when not consuming these items a then when not consuming these items a headache will return requiring more of the headache will return requiring more of the medication to resolve the pain.medication to resolve the pain.1010

Toxic Headache SolutionsToxic Headache Solutions

Identify toxin exposure that may be causing the Identify toxin exposure that may be causing the headachesheadachesConsider detoxification with liver support for exposure to Consider detoxification with liver support for exposure to organic compoundsorganic compounds– You may need special detoxification for heavy metal exposureYou may need special detoxification for heavy metal exposure– Special formulations for organic chemical exposureSpecial formulations for organic chemical exposure– Liver support with Milk Thistle, NAC, TMG etc.Liver support with Milk Thistle, NAC, TMG etc.

Reduce medication and caffeine usage to prevent the Reduce medication and caffeine usage to prevent the rebound effect and choose natural antiinflammatory rebound effect and choose natural antiinflammatory supplements to reduce pain. supplements to reduce pain. – Omega 3 fish oilOmega 3 fish oil– TurmericTurmeric– Consider acupuncture for pain reliefConsider acupuncture for pain relief

ConclusionConclusion

Each headache type has different causes and Each headache type has different causes and triggerstriggersNatural approaches are available:Natural approaches are available:– Chiropractic is beneficial for migraine, tension and Chiropractic is beneficial for migraine, tension and

cervicogenic type headachescervicogenic type headaches– Magnesium, B vitamins and Butterbur extract can be Magnesium, B vitamins and Butterbur extract can be

helpfulhelpful– Detoxification and gastrointestinal health is helpful to Detoxification and gastrointestinal health is helpful to

treat some headaches.treat some headaches.

It is important to take a holistic approach It is important to take a holistic approach including stress, sleep, diet and exercise including stress, sleep, diet and exercise

ReferencesReferences11Souza TA. Differential Diagnosis and Management for the Souza TA. Differential Diagnosis and Management for the Chiropractor 3Chiropractor 3rdrd Ed. Sudbury, Massachusetts: Jones and Bartlett Ed. Sudbury, Massachusetts: Jones and Bartlett Publishers; 2005:451.Publishers; 2005:451.22http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00001982.htmhttp://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00001982.htm33Tuchin, PJ, Pollard H, Bonello, R. Tuchin, PJ, Pollard H, Bonello, R. A randomized controlled trial of A randomized controlled trial of chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy for migrainechiropractic spinal manipulative therapy for migraine. JMPT. 2000 . JMPT. 2000 Feb;23(2):91-5.Feb;23(2):91-5.44Lipton, RB et al. Lipton, RB et al. Petasites hybridus root (butterbur) is an effective Petasites hybridus root (butterbur) is an effective preventive treatment fro migrainespreventive treatment fro migraines. Neurology. 2004 Dec . Neurology. 2004 Dec 28;63(12):2240-4.28;63(12):2240-4.55Pothman R, Danesch U. Pothman R, Danesch U. Migraine prevention in children and Migraine prevention in children and adolescents: results of an open study with a special butterbur root adolescents: results of an open study with a special butterbur root extract. extract. Headache. 2005 Mar;45(3):196-203.Headache. 2005 Mar;45(3):196-203.

ReferencesReferences66Koseoglu E, et al. Koseoglu E, et al. The effects of magnesium prophylaxis in The effects of magnesium prophylaxis in migraine without aura.migraine without aura. Magnesium Research. 2008 Jun;21(2):101- Magnesium Research. 2008 Jun;21(2):101-8.8.77Schoenen J, Jacquy J, Lenaerts M. Effectiveness of high-dose Schoenen J, Jacquy J, Lenaerts M. Effectiveness of high-dose riboflavin in migraine prophylaxis. A randomized controlled trial riboflavin in migraine prophylaxis. A randomized controlled trial Neurology, 1998; 50(2):466-470 Neurology, 1998; 50(2):466-470

88Biondi DM. Biondi DM. Cervicogenic headache: A review of diagnostic and Cervicogenic headache: A review of diagnostic and treatment strategiestreatment strategies. Journal of the American Osteopathic . Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. 2005. Apr;105(4):16-22.Association. 2005. Apr;105(4):16-22.99Moore MK. Upper crossed syndrome and its relationship to Moore MK. Upper crossed syndrome and its relationship to cervicogenic headache. JMPT. 2004. Jul; 27(6):414-20cervicogenic headache. JMPT. 2004. Jul; 27(6):414-201010http://www.headaches.org/educational_modules/caffeine/http://www.headaches.org/educational_modules/caffeine/head.htmlhead.html