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HEADACHES A headache is a pain or discomfort in the scalp or neck. Most people with headaches will not warrant advanced studies such as MRI's, CAT Scans or spinal taps to determine why they occur. If the cause is obvious as in the case of being associated with the flu, excessive drinking, skipping breakfast, a lot of tension in a day or other such factors, a person is usually aware of why they have it. When headaches start to become bothersome a person will seek treatment. Chiropractic care is the most common alternative therapy sought by people with headaches. The literature suggests that several musculoskeletal (muscles, bone, posture) abnormalities are more common in primary headache sufferers. • Decreased motion in the upper neck joints. • Specific tender points in the muscles around the neck and shoulders. • Incorrect motion in your neck. • Posture imbalances. a. Forward head posture (chin sticks out forward). b. Rounded shoulders (looks like chest is sunk in a little). c. Loss of normal neck curvature on x-ray (like it happens after a car accident*). 70-90% of people involved in a car accident, that get whiplash, develop a headache. Headache symtoms: 1. dull, pressure like. 2. generalized, worse in scalp, temples or back of neck. 3. not usually on only one side of your head. 4. feels like a tight band. 5. occurs as an isolated incident, or can occur constantly or daily, worsened or triggered by stress, fatigue, noise, or glare. *18% of U.S. adult headaches are caused by neck problems. Cervicogenic headaches (headaches caused by neck problems) are distinctive in that they are caused by an abnormality of the structures in the neck. • Headaches can be on one side of the head only. • They can last between 3 hours and one week. • They are reoccurring. • Continue having migraine like symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light. • Pain will usually start in the neck or under the back of the head. • Bending the head down to the chest can aggravate pain. • You will feel or see restricted neck movements. • There can be tenderness in the neck muscles or the neck itself. Headache Red Flags: Red flags are symptoms that warrant more investigative or advanced testing and referral. • Sudden severe headache • New headache in an older patient • Headache due to head trauma • Associated residual neurological signs or symptoms • Cognitive changes • Vomiting without nausea • Persistent or progressive headache • Nuchal rigidity with or without a fever • Headache associated with a diastolic blood pressure greater than 115mm Hg Recent studies indicate advantages with manipulation (chiropractic treatment) over the use of antidepressant medication in treatment of chronic tension-like headaches and migraine headaches. Management for tension type and cervicogenic headaches at my office involves taking as much of the tension causing factors away as can be accomplished. • Correcting postural imbalances. • Re-coordination of the muscles with the joints so less wear and tear. • Home stretches and exercise to keep the neck in shape after treatment ends to maintain the positive changes that were made. • Restoring the normal curvature to the neck. |
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