There are seven major questions that are asked during the first visit at my clinic for headaches.
First, I would ask the type of character of pain. Is it a sharp, a throbbing or a pressure like pain? Is the pain familiar like it is for migraine sufferers or is it a dull type pain? Secondly, I would ask the location of the headache. Is it on one side or on both sides of the head? Is it in front or in back of the head or is it a general all over the head pain? Third, I want to know if the pain radiates anywhere or if it stays in the same area. What affects the severity of the headache? Do you need rest in a dark room with no noise? Does it feel worse when you cough or sneeze? The length of the headache is important. Migraines typically have a long duration. Tension headaches gradually will get worse as the day progresses. Next, I want to know if there are any associated symptoms like nausea or vomiting. What is the time of day that they appear and at what age did the headaches first start? The tension headache is the most common type of headache and is usually caused by stress and fatigue. A migraine headache is usually located in the frontal and/or temporal regions on one side and they are characteristically throbbing or pounding in nature. Migraines also produce visual disturbances, nausea and vomiting. Once that all the information is analyzed, a treatment plan is recommended. Chiropractic has proven time and time again that headaches can be treated with chiropractic adjustments. How long will it take? Some patients experience almost instant relief. Others discover it can take many weeks or months. Many factors can affect the healing process. Within a short period of time most patients sense enough progress to fully complete their doctor’s recommendations.
Dr Jean-Luc LeBlanc, chiropractor