For many people who suffer with chronic headaches or migraines, reaching in the medicine cabinet on a daily basis is almost second nature. But did you know that the more you increase your dosage of painkillers, the more you could potentially make your pain worse? For some, reaching for the tablets every morning is as much as a habit as turning off the alarm clock or popping on the kettle. It becomes the only way chronic pain sufferers believe they can function. But worryingly, the dose that patients take over the years tends to gradually increase. And quite often, the more painkillers people take, the more they need to take.
Almost like an addiction, people who routinely take painkillers may even find themselves waking up during the night to take them! But what people don’t always realise is that the very drugs promising to ease pain are often prolonging it.
It is estimated that around 500,000 women and 100,000 men suffer from daily headaches as a result of the overuse of painkillers. These people are not overdosing on their medication; they are simply taking the pills for long periods of time. The more a painkiller is taken, the more resistant the body becomes and so the sufferer resorts to a stronger type of medication. When the medication wears off, withdrawal reactions (known as ‘rebound’ headaches) can develop, prompting them to take more medication. So it is actually the absence of the medication that is causing the headache.
Although this issue can affect anyone, the problem is thought to be more common among women. This is mainly because women are five times more likely to be affected by migraines than men. Women are also more likely to report their symptoms.
It’s important to remember that although painkillers can be effective in managing your headaches, they shouldn’t be your first port of call!
How a chiropractor may help?
A chiropractor may do one or more of the following if you suffer from a primary headache:
- Perform spinal manipulation or chiropractic adjustments to improve spinal function and reduce the stress on your system.
- Provide nutritional advice, recommending a change in diet and perhaps the addition of B complex vitamins.
- Offer advice on improving posture, ergonomics exercises and relaxation techniques.
This advice may help to relieve the recurring joint irritation and tension in the muscles of the neck and upper back.
Chiropractors undergo years of extensive training to help their patients in many ways beyond treatment for lower back pain. A good chiropractor will understand how tension in the spine relates to problems in other parts of the body, and they can take steps to relieve those problems.
Had a great consultation followed by my first hr session. Very positive, friendly and informative. Hope to carry onDavid Hemingway13/02/2024
I don’t know what I’d do without my monthly appointment. My movement vastly improved and there has been a reduction in persistent when I discovered this clinic.Janet13/02/2024
After being diagnosed with BPPV Vertigo I was really suffering and after not really making any progress with the Betahistine prescribed by the Doctor at the Royal Stoke I decided to see Dr Finn, who has previously resolved other muscular and skeletal injuries for myself and my family. With BPPV Vertigo being an issue with the inner ear I wasn’t sure if this was something he could resolve promptly ? The clinic fitted me in really quickly and after just two short visits my BPPV was fully resolved. After spending so much time on 111 and at the hospital I was relieved at how swiftly and efficiently Dr Finn resolved my BPPV, which was really bad. I can fully recommend this clinic for this and other treatments in a professional and effective manner. 10/10Greg Methven11/02/2024
First class service from Rob and teamStephen Banks06/02/2024
My wife was suddenly in real pain around her hip area and upon making a phone call to Newcastle Chiropractic was given an immediate appointment. With a total of no more than 20 minutes she was feeling a lot less pain and doing gentle walking as recommended by Rob. She’s very grateful with a lot less pain and feeling mobile again.Richard Moth06/02/2024
The staff members handle their clients professionally.John Nyansera25/01/2024
I first started seeing Rob in 1998 when he took over from Jane Hvas at the Brampton Clinic. I have now been a patient of Robs for 25 years. I don't know what I would have done without the treatment and support I have re eived from him. He's simply the best.Linda Machin24/01/2024
Dott. Burcu Cetinkaya is the best chiropractor I've ever been treated by, and I've had many. Since the first visit at the clinic I've been examinated and listened very carefully about my problems and I've been given a personalised plan of treatment and exercises straight away. I've been checked vertebra by vertebra and rettified my posture, basically if there is a problem she will find out and I've never been so happy with my back, my problems they're gone and my posture is the best ever. I can't thank dott. Burcu enough even if an emergency occurred she has been always available and makes me feel safe. Not the last the ladies on reception are the kindest ever. The clinic service is a 5 star ???? all round. Thank you ???? ???? ????????Francesco Alfano20/01/2024
Should have come to Newcastle chiropractic a year ago save wasting a year trying get sorted with the NHS, Came to Newcastle Chiropractic and was met by friendly staff and Dr Burcu who couldn’t help enough, don’t know where I would have been with out the help I have received from Dr Burcu. Excellent practice 11/10 all day.Paul Proffitt16/01/2024