New Drug-Free Treatment Gives Hope to Headache Sufferers

Dec. 2, 2009 - PRLog -- A new drug-free, non-surgical therapy is available which has been clinically proven to cure headaches.  This is good news for the 45 million Americans who suffer with chronic headaches and migraines. The new therapeutic approach may bring hope and much needed relief.  

With so many people suffering with headaches, there has been an enormous amount of research into finding a cure.  Much of the effort has been directed to pharmaceutical interventions (including numbing agents, muscle relaxers, anti-depressants, triptans, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, and others).  However, the most powerful and effective breakthroughs in headache treatment has surprisingly come from a non-drug approach.

According to Dr. Kevin Smith, clinic director at Red Apple Wellness in Bethel Park, PA – there is a new drug-free approach which seemingly goes after the cause of the problem instead of merely masking symptoms (as is the case with so many drug approaches).  

Dr. Smith notes “a large percentage of headache sufferers remain undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.  And the reason is that the cause of the problem may be due to abnormal pressure on the brain stem and upper cervical spinal nerves which become irritated and then trigger a headache.   This increased pressure on the nervous tissue is due to abnormal postural problems in the neck region of the spine (such as forward head posture).   It is also due to slight misalignments of the upper cervical vertebrae (the bones which surround and protect the spinal cord).”  

This  condition is what researchers call “cervicogenic headache”.  “Cervico” comes from the word “cervical” (or neck).  “Genic” comes from “Genesis” (or the beginning).  Thus, a “cervicogenic headache” is a one which is rooted in mechanical problems in the neck and which places stress on the delicate nerves which go back up into the head.

So what can be done to correct the abnormal pressure on the nervous system?   Dr. Smith explains “the most reliable and reproducible results are obtained via a combination of precise low force spinal corrections,  specialized traction (which gently stretches tight ligaments) and exercises (to stabilize and strengthen the muscles).  Additionally, deep tissue massage is used to break up intense muscle spasms found in the back of the neck, and across the tops of the shoulders.  These can contribute to ‘referred pain patterns’, thus triggering a headache”.

For more information about this new non-drug approach to headaches, please visit:  www.redapplewellness.net or call 412-212-8880.

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Red Apple Wellness provides all natural solutions to many common health problems including back pain, neck pain, headaches, migraines, and other problems. We use an integrated approach which includes chiropractic, rehab, and functional medicine.