Natural Headache Relief using Chiropractic Care. Prepared by Dr. Richard Burg, Active Wellness Chiropractic, Oakland, CA

1. Natural Headache Relief
Dr. Richard Burg
Chiropractor, Nutrition Consultant, Certified ART® Provider

2. Disclaimer
Acute & chronic headaches may be a sign
of a serious underlying disease or
condition.
It is imperative that you see your physician
or health care provider to determine the
cause of your headaches.
This lecture is not intended to diagnose or
treat any condition.

3. Headache Statistics
The costs of lost work and productivity due to migraine
headaches is estimated to be $13 to $17 billion annually.
57% of men and 76% of women report at least one
significant headache per month!
Estimates are that 10% of children 5 to 15 years and
28% of adolescents experience migraine headaches
The negative impact of migraine headaches on a
person’s quality of life is greater than that of
osteoarthritis, hypertension or diabetes according to one
study.
70% to 90% of whiplash patients develop a headache.1

4. Types of Headaches
Classic Migraine (with Aura)
Common Migraine (w/o Aura)
Tension-Type
Cervicogenic
Metabolic
Toxic

5. Classic Migraine
Unilateral throbbing headache preceded by an
Aura
Prodrome of a progressive scotoma surrounded
by flashing lights
Lasts from several hours up to 3 days
Only 10% to 15% of all migraines
Cause now thought to be neurogenic, with
changes in neurotransmitters (serotonin,
dopamine) leading to brain polarization changes
and vascular changes.

6. Common Migraine
Includes 80% to 85% of all migraines
No prodrome or Aura
Unilateral and vomiting provides relief
Statistics indicate 4.1 per 100 persons in
the US have migraine headaches2

7. Migraine Solutions
Chiropractic adjustments: One study showed
77% of participants (83 persons treated with
spinal adjustments) had a 50% reduction in
severity of symptoms and 22% had a 90%
reduction in migraine frequency, duration and
disability3
Butterbur root extract: 75 mg 2x/day reduced
frequency 48%, reduced frequency ≥ 50% in
68% of adult patients4 and 77% of
children/adolescents5

8. Migraine Solutions
Magnesium citrate 600mg/day resulted in
significant decreases in severity and
frequency compared to a control group6
B Vitamins, especially Riboflavin
deficiency is related to migraine7
Consider gut renewal, identifying food
allergens, detoxification and probiotic
supplementation to improve digestive tract
health.

9. Tension Type Headache
Can be the result of a transformed
migraine as a result of chronic drug use
Is typically bilateral, frequent and occur
later in the day
May last for days or weeks
Often associated trigger points in the neck
and suboccipital region

10. Cervicogenic Headache
Approximately 20% of chronic headache sufferers
4 times more prevalent in women
May be due to head or neck injury (whiplash) but not
always
Often a unilateral headache that does not change sides
Often associated reduced motion in the neck due to
pain.
Thought to be due to reduced neurological input into the
trigeminocervicalnucleus from reduced or altered
cervical spine motion (lack of pain inhibition).

11. Tension Type & Cervicogenic
Solutions
Respond well to chiropractic cervical
adjustments.8,9
Myofascial release therapies can be of
benefit to improve neck motion and reduce
nerve and vascular impingement in the
suboccipital region.9

12. Metabolic Headache
Causes include:
– Hypo and hyperthyroidism
– Hypoglycemia
– Hypertension
– Anemia
– Hypo and hyperadrenalism
– Hypoxemia (due to high altitude)
– Hypercapnia, due to COPD
– Many other rare conditions
Treatment: Treat the underlying disease

13. Toxic/Rebound Headache
Toxic headaches can occur when you are
exposed to toxins in the environment.
– Chemicals, fumes, pollution, allergens
– Lead, insecticides, alcohol (acetaldehyde), carbon
monoxide
Rebound headaches occur with overuse of
medications (analgesics) and/or caffeine and
then when not consuming these items a
headache will return requiring more of the
medication to resolve the pain.10

14. Toxic Headache Solutions
Identify toxin exposure that may be causing the
headaches
Consider detoxification with liver support for exposure to
organic compounds
– You may need special detoxification for heavy metal exposure
– Special formulations for organic chemical exposure
– Liver support with Milk Thistle, NAC, TMG etc.
Reduce medication and caffeine usage to prevent the
rebound effect and choose natural antiinflammatory
supplements to reduce pain.
– Omega 3 fish oil
– Turmeric
– Consider acupuncture for pain relief

15. Conclusion
Each headache type has different causes and
triggers
Natural approaches are available:
– Chiropractic is beneficial for migraine, tension and
cervicogenic type headaches
– Magnesium, B vitamins and Butterbur extract can be
helpful
– Detoxification and gastrointestinal health is helpful to
treat some headaches.
It is important to take a holistic approach
including stress, sleep, diet and exercise

16. References
1
Souza TA. Differential Diagnosis and Management for the
Chiropractor 3rd Ed. Sudbury, Massachusetts: Jones and Bartlett
Publishers; 2005:451.
2
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00001982.htm
3
Tuchin, PJ, Pollard H, Bonello, R. A randomized controlled trial of
chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy for migraine. JMPT. 2000
Feb;23(2):91-5.
4
Lipton, RB et al. Petasites hybridus root (butterbur) is an effective
preventive treatment fro migraines. Neurology. 2004 Dec
28;63(12):2240-4.
5
Pothman R, Danesch U. Migraine prevention in children and
adolescents: results of an open study with a special butterbur root
extract. Headache. 2005 Mar;45(3):196-203.

17. References
6
Koseoglu E, et al. The effects of magnesium prophylaxis in
migraine without aura. Magnesium Research. 2008
Jun;21(2):101-8.
7
Schoenen J, Jacquy J, Lenaerts M. Effectiveness of high-dose
riboflavin in migraine prophylaxis. A randomized controlled trial
Neurology, 1998; 50(2):466-470
8
Biondi DM. Cervicogenic headache: A review of diagnostic and
treatment strategies. Journal of the American Osteopathic
Association. 2005. Apr;105(4):16-22.
9
Moore MK. Upper crossed syndrome and its relationship to
cervicogenic headache. JMPT. 2004. Jul; 27(6):414-20
10
http://www.headaches.org/educational_modules/caffeine/head.htm
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