Can Chiropractic Therapy Treat Post-Traumatic Headaches?
Traumatic events, like car crashes or workplace accidents, often leave invisible but lasting marks on the body and mind. Even after your initial injuries fade, lingering issues may leave you in daily pain for months or even years. Of these, post-traumatic headaches can be some of the most debilitating and difficult to treat. When doctors don't have solutions, many patients turn to chiropractic therapy. But can a chiropractor really help with your post-traumatic headaches?
Understanding Post-Traumatic Headaches
What is a post-traumatic headache, exactly? Every case is different. But in general, this type of headache begins after someone suffers a head or neck injury. The symptoms of these headaches manifest much like migraine headaches. You might experience light sensitivity, nausea, and light-headedness before the onset of pain. But where migraines are thought to usually be chemically or stress-induced, most post-traumatic headaches are physical.
When you undergo a traumatic event like a car accident, your body is subjected to forces it wasn't designed to handle. Your head may whip forward and jerk to a sudden stop, for example. This brief injury can be treated successfully but still leave behind tiny fractures, tears, and spinal misalignments. These subtle traumas, in turn, may trigger recurring migraine-like headaches.
Exploring the Root of the Issue
Before seeking another form of care, be sure to discuss these headaches with your primary physician. While most are not dangerous, they can indicate internal bleeding. Always play it safe when you've suffered a possible brain injury. Your doctor may be able to identify and treat the underlying issues without any need for further care.
Seeking Chiropractic Care for Traumatic Headaches
Unfortunately, modern medicine doesn't have an answer for everything. Your physician might have trouble identifying the minute triggers for your headache or repairing them. In this scenario, your best option will be to manage the pain until your body can heal on its own. But this can be a slow process, and you need to go about your life. Worse, pain medications may impair daily function or bring undesirable side effects.
Because of these factors, many headache or migraine sufferers look to chiropractic therapy to ease the burden of their condition. Chiropractic massage can soothe irritated tissue and bring your nervous system back into proper alignment. Although results aren't guaranteed, chiropractic care can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of post-traumatic headaches.
If you are recovering from a car accident or a similarly serious event, you don't need to live in fear of pain. Contact your local chiropractor's office for an assessment and to explore your options today.