Tension headache sufferers should consider chiropractic treatment as a long-term solution to their ailment without the side effects of drugs. A study funded by the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research (FCER) found that when six weeks of spinal manipulative treatment by chiropracters was compared to six weeks of medical treatment with amitriptyline, an antidepressant used to control severe headache pain, the chiropracti patients experienced fewer side effects and the positive effects of chiropractic proved to be longer term, with patients reporting continued relief after the study was completed.

While anecdotal evidence has supported chiropractic treatment of tension headaches for years, until now, there have been no clinical trials that corroborate this reported success. A study that brings scientific support to these claims, "Chiropractic Spinal Manipulative Therapy vs. Amitriytpline for the Treatment of Chronic Tension-type Headaches: A Randomized Comparative Clinic Trial," was conducted by Patrick D. Boline, D.C. (principal investigator), at Northwestern College of Chiropratic (NWCC) and published in the March/April issue of the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics.

"Headaches not only adversely affect the quality of life for millions of people, but constitute a major economic liability," said Stephen R. Seater, CAE, Executive Director of FCER. "It's estimated that headaches alone are responsible for 156 million lost workdays every year; that translates to 25 billion dollars in lost productivity. For too long the medical solution was to prescribe powerful drugs that cause numerous side-effects and must be taken long term to maintain there effectiveness."

"At last, with the results of this study, the claims of thousands of chiropractic patients who have enjoyed relief from pain without drugs will have to be taken seriously by the medical community," he continued. "At last, chiropractic will be recognized as a viable and scientific alternative for relief of common tension headaches."

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