Spinal Health Week 2023 (22-28 May) is the Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA) national campaign dedicated to improving the spinal health of all Australians.
In 2023, the focus of Spinal Health Week is on the impact headaches have on Australians while providing solutions to elevate headache pain so sufferers can take back control of their health and wellbeing.
Migraine and tension-type headaches are the most prevalent headache disorders, both with disabling potential having the greatest impact on public health. With more than 7 million Australians suffering from debilitating tension headaches and more than 4.9 million suffering chronic migraine; the economic impact to Australia exceeds $35.7 billion annually.
However, the real cost to headache sufferers is immeasurable. Every day, headaches impact the lives of more than 46% of Australians causing debilitating pain and robbing sufferers of productive time at work and study, essential relaxation and social activities, and precious time with children, family and friends.
Migraine and tension headaches are the most common headache disorders, but there are many types of headaches, and many triggers that can cause them. While some headaches are just a mild inconvenience, others can be severe, chronic and have a debilitating effect on the daily life of sufferers.
The connection between spinal health conditions (especially of the neck) and headaches are well recognised in research. It’s vital that headache sufferers have their spine examined and, if appropriate, seek early, effective drug-free chiropractic care. Along with some simple lifestyle changes, this can go a long way to relieve pain, reduce the incidence of headache and migraine and help people take back control of their life.
Studies have shown that university trained chiropractors provide reliable, low risk, effective treatment for the three most common types of headaches – tension and cervicogenic (neck-related) headaches and migraines with notable improvement in cervicogenic headaches following chiropractic treatment.
While one study suggested that spinal manipulation of the neck and mid back is more effective than mobilisation and exercise in reducing cervicogenic headaches, another study found chiropractic adjustments reduced migraines in 72 percent of people surveyed and decreased their duration and severity.
And although pain medications (prescription and over the counter) may provide temporary relief from headache, it’s often a ‘Band-Aid’ solution that treats the symptoms but not the cause.
Often there are lifestyle factors that may be responsible for headaches that occur at home or at work. These might include diet or sedentary behaviours that our chiropractors can identify during an assessment, enabling sufferers to modify these behaviours to manage headaches or avoid them altogether and improve patient’s overall health and wellbeing.
At Suncoast Chiropractic we are trained to identify the causes of headaches and provide specialised low-risk, effective drug-free treatment for people of all ages.
So, if you or someone you know is among the 11.9 million Australians suffering from headaches or migraines and you’re tired of headaches holding you back, contact us today on 5492 5588 to make an appointment so you can take back control of your life.
Find out more about the importance of spinalhealthweek.org.au to you and your family and how to improve overall spinal health and wellbeing.