Dr. Lipoff: Your Solution for Headaches

In your lifetime at least 95 percent of all women and 90 percent of men will experience a headache. All of this pain will account for over 150 million missed days of work and $13 billion in lost productivity. It also clearly affects our personal lives on many levels, but what can we do about it?

Many people take medicine but that only temporarily helps the symptoms. It’s like taping over a hole in a damn. It temporarily stops the symptom of water leaking out but hasn’t corrected the problem. Water will find its way.

That’s okay. I’m fine with medications if they help you get headache relief so you can sleep or are able to work but what about preventing them and solving what causes them? That’s where you need to look a little further.

I learned about chiropractic in the early 80s after my sister could get no relief after 6 months of trying everything under the sun. Six treatments with Dr. Sam Usborne in Cazenovia, New York and my sister was better than new. It could have saved thousands of dollars as my Mom was single with no healthcare coverage.

Relatives used to tease us about sitting up straight and keeping our heads up. Research shows they were right. In fact, proper body posture and ergonomics play a major role in a lot of the things we do on a daily basis. Placing your neck or head in an unnatural or vulnerable position while exercising, driving or at home, are things that can lead to a headache.

I yell, I mean, advise my patients on better posture and solutions to their bad habits, because helping them is what I do. I wrote a 400-page book on ways people can help themselves. Having the same problem is frustrating to all parties, It wastes time and money, doesn’t help with getting referrals, we never resolve anything and is unfulfilling.

Headaches are also caused by spinal problems and muscle tightness like you might experience after playing sports, being in a vehicular accident sleeping improperly or carrying a heavy bag.

Topics in Integrative Healthcare published this study titled, “Chiropractic Management of Post-concussion Headache and Neck Pain In a Young Athlete and Implications For Return-To-Play.” After 5 treatments over 2 weeks the athlete improved completely.

The Journal of Chiropractic Medicine had a 2012 case study of a 32 year old woman who had headaches for 5 month. After 2 treatments she was much batter and in 2 weeks her symptoms were gone.

Does it work for everyone? No. BUT I’ve seen it help so many people when all other options were exhausted you would be crazy not to try it.

Basically there are two main classifications of headaches. The first type is a primary headache, which includes: migraine, tension, cervicogenic (headache caused by problems in the neck or cervical spine), and cluster headaches. These headache types are the most common, comprising 90 percent of all headaches and have no associated medical condition. A secondary headache can result from tumors, infections, etc., and account for less than 10 percent of all headaches.

Some common symptoms associated with the majority of headaches are: sharp, throbbing pain in different regions of the head; constant ache, localized neck or occipital (base of skull) pain precipitated by abnormal movements. The range of motion in the neck will be decreased and your posture may be altered due to hypertonic (tight) muscles, which may also be tender. Occasionally a visual disturbance can also be associated with headaches.

Dr. Peter Rothbart, MD, FRCPC, President of the North American Cervicogenic Headache Society, proclaimed in the Toronto Star, “We’ve been able to put together a scientific explanation for how neck structure causes headaches- not all headaches, but a significant number of them.”

Correcting your neck’s alignment reduces stress in the discs, muscles and the facet joint, which has been linked to 54 – 60 percent of chronic neck pain and 58 – 88 percent of chronic headaches. Only manipulation; not aspirin, not Motrin, not Tylenol, is going to fix that.

These findings support the importance of proper posture and alignment of the neck to reduce facet joint pain, unless you enjoy getting headaches.

But before we correct the spine, we have to use some heat, work on some muscles, dig into a few knots, correct your unhealthy posture habits and at some point may even direct you to do some strengthening exercises to keep you better. It works people.

Stop complaining and do something different because whatever you are trying isn’t helping. I’m pretty sure your friends and family are tired of hearing you complain. I’m not sure even I’m ready for it, but bring it on. I’d love to help.

Noted Researcher Nikolai Bogduk, MD, PhD, Professor of Anatomy at Newcastle, Australia, commented: “The model for cervicogenic headache, (headache caused by the neck), is not only the best evolved of all headaches but is testable in vivo, in patients with headache complaints.”

Another overlooked source of headaches is eyestrain. When was your last eye exam? Are you supposed to be wearing glasses but you forget or don’t think you look good in them? Make sure your prescription is current and put them on. Some people look great with glasses.

So stop doing what you’re doing if you are no better. Go see the chiropractor. I have seen it do wonders for people, just like you, who have tried all other treatment options.

Dr. Jay M. Lipoff is the owner of Back At Your Best Chiropractic & Physical Therapy, LLC, which is located in the Wildewood Shopping Center. Dr. Lipoff is also the author of “Back At Your Best; Balancing the Demands of Life With the Needs of Your Body.” It is available in book and Kindle format at Amazon.

He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Syracuse University in 1990, a Doctorate of Chiropractic (D.C.) from New York Chiropractic College (NYCC) in 1994 and he became a Certified Fitness Trainer (CFT) in 2005.

Dr. Lipoff is an Executive Board Member, International Chiropractic Association Council on Fitness and Sports Health Science; won the 2015 Arnold Schwarzenegger Legacy Award for his community work; has a radio segment: Back At Your Best in 5 Minutes or Less, President and Founder; Foundation 4 Heroes, Contributing writer; The Baynet, Huffington Post and SoMD News, Co-Founder, Drug Free Training USA; Member, NY Strength-promoting the importance of physical conditioning; Board Member of Public Relations Committee, Maryland Chiropractic Association; has spoken on nationally broadcasted radio interviews, has articles in print and referenced in over 150 print papers, magazine and on websites, President, Wildewood Business Network-promoting better business relations and community outreach.