Head pain can arise from a multitude of causes including but not limited to whiplash injuries, eyestrain, muscle tension, sinus blockage, and vascular irregularities. A migraine is defined by a particularly severe headache which interferes with the ability to carry out daily activities, and can be associated with visual ‘aura’ such as flashing lights and blurred vision as well as nausea and/or vomiting.
The effectiveness of chiropractic treatment of headaches has been well supported anecdotally for years – however it is only relatively recently that studies have validated the relationship between neck dysfunction and head pain. This link is the result of convergence of spinal nerves from the upper neck with nerve cells supplying the skin of the head and face. Irritation of upper neck structures therefore, is often misinterpreted by the brain, and perceived as head or facial pain.
