Margaret Chandler Expert Guru

My 16 year journey to get my 18 year old son's disabling sleep disorder properly diagnosed and treated and having helped literally thousands of my husband's chiropractic patients navigate the landmine of our healthcare system and get the help they needed when no one else or nothing else could help make me uniquely qualified to write about health and wellness. Second, I suffered all of my life from undiagnosed depression, anxiety and sleep disorders and sought treatment, to no avail, for years. Having learned how to manage these conditions, I can't stop trying to help others along their journey. Third, my sister suffers from extremely debilitating migraine headaches. In my quest to help my family and myself, I have been able to help many others. I would like to share the benefit of almost twenty years of intensive research and education in learning how and when we should seek care, how to persist when you aren't being helped and last, but certainly not least, knowing when you can handle something on our own.

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Help For Your Headaches

Chiropractors and massage therapists are well trained to diagnose and treat headaches, even migraines. Many people have been relieved of headaches by chiropractors and massage therapists after exhausting many other types of care.

Chiropractic and massage are very complimentary treatments. A chiropractic adjustment makes sure all the bones and joints are in the proper position for optimum health. Massage therapy relieves muscle stress and tension that may cause tension headaches. It also prevents sore, tight muscles from pulling the bones and joints out of place following a chiropractic adjustment.

Consider getting a massage first if you think your headache is a tension headache. If you have headaches that start after a popping sound in your neck or you have experienced some kind of trauma like a fall or an auto accident, then you should see a chiropractor first. Many people benefit from getting a chiropractic adjustment with a massage immediately after.

If you are considering trying chiropractic or massage therapy it is best to get a referral. Whether you have a referral or not, ask for a consultation to find out how that practitioner treats headaches. The consultation may be over the phone but, ideally it would be in person. You need to be comfortable with this person's touch. A consultation should be free.

Talking To Your Doctor About Your Headaches

There are over 20 tests used to diagnose types of headaches. To determine the best plan for treating your headaches, your doctor needs to know what type of headache you have. Your doctor will most likely begin with your headache history to determine the type of headache you have. Here is a list of some of the things you need to tell your doctor.

1. How old you were when you started having the headaches?

2. How long you have been having the headaches?

3. Do you have just one kind of headache or many kinds?

4. On a scale of one to ten, how bad is the pain?

5. How often do you have headaches?

6. Do you know what triggers your headaches? (For example, do certain situations, foods, or medicines cause the headaches?)

7. Do your headaches cause problems at school or work?

8. What things have you or another healthcare done to treat your headaches?

Bring a list of all medications you have used. Your pharmacist can give you a list of prescriptions and dosages you are taking or have taken. Include medications you are taking or have taken for other conditions.

Your doctor will most likely ask additional questions, but it will help if you think about these ahead of time. It is best if you write the answers to these questions and anything else that may help you doctor.

You may also want to ask others close to you if they have made the any observations about your headaches. The objectivity may help you see something you've missed.

Managing Your Headaches

Keeping a Headache Diary can help you gain control of and possibly prevent your headaches. A Headache Diary can also help you or your doctor pinpoint the cause of your headaches.

A Headache Diary should include the Five W's and H. Who, What, Where, When, Why and How.

Who were you with? How do you feel when you are with that person?

Where were you right before the headache started? Were their bright lights, noises, fumes or other scents, etc.?

When did your headache start? Does it usually start at this time of day or night?

What were you doing right before your headache started? Were you active or sedate. Did you take some medication?

Why would you have a headache? Did you have a strong emotional response to something? Were you exposed to an environmental trigger?

How did the headache feel? Was it throbbing? Did it only hurt on part of your head? Was it mild or severe?

Keep a diary of these and any other details you are aware of and take them with you to your doctor.