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Dear
Doctor:
“I
suffer from headache pain from time to time, and have recently noticed that
my neck becomes stiff and painful as my headache worsens. Are these
conditions related to one another?” M.J.D. Laurel.
Chances are, if you’re suffering from
headache pain, you’re not alone. It is estimated that over 40 million
Americans seek treatment every year, and millions of dollars are spent on
over-the counter and prescription drugs in search of some form of relief.
While many people encounter temporary relief with medications, many do not.
Oftentimes, permanent and lasting solutions remain out of reach, compelling
individuals to endure various forms of headache pain every day. Types of headaches vary, and the symptoms
associated with them can range from chronic dull tension headaches to
recurring attacks of severe migraine pain. Headache pain can be occasional,
frequent, dull and throbbing and some can cause debilitating pain and nausea.
The study and treatment of headache is
as vast as the subject of pain itself. For individuals seeking help for
headache pain, the type of treatment they receive is highly dependent on
the type of headache they are experiencing. Identifying the origin of
headache is essential to ensure success in alleviating the headache without
prolonging the pain and expense of inappropriate treatment. Classical migraine headaches, which
are believed to be vascular in origin, are characterized by recurrent
attacks of headache pain with or without associated visual and
gastrointestinal disturbances. These headaches are usually severe and
sharp, throbbing in nature and often affect one side of the head. Tension headaches, often called
muscle-contraction headaches, tend to occur frequently, last a long time
and are characterized by a dull steady pain that often feels like a band of
pressure around the neck. This band of pressure is the result of sustained
contraction of head and neck muscles which produce pain that is experienced
inside the head. A third type of
headache, often overlooked and misdiagnosed is cervicogenic. Cervicogenic headache is one of the most frequently
encountered in clinical practice today. Individuals suffering with this
form perceive pain in their head, however the
source is actually the cervical spine. The signs and symptoms that may
point towards cervicogenic type include pain that
originates in the occipital region (base of the skull) and spreads anteriorly towards the frontal area. Intensity can range
from mild, moderate to severe and occurs daily. This headache may be
exacerbated by head and neck movement. A universally accepted finding in
the cervical spine in individuals suffering from cervicogenic
headache is suboccipital tenderness upon palpation.
“A growing body of literature relates
headaches to injury or pathology affecting neck structures. Moreover, a
number of clinical trials have suggested that treatments such as massage,
spinal manipulation, and biofeedback directed at the neck are valuable for
managing muscle contraction headaches.” A study conducted by a team of
investigators at the University
of Maryland, found a
correlation between headache pain and muscle tension at the base of the
neck. These findings were reported in the “1998 Medical and Health Annual”.
Their conclusions indicated that muscle dysfunction in the neck (muscle
tension and spasm) contribute to head pain. This muscle dysfunction can
interfere with the sensitive fibers at the base of the neck that lead to
the brain and spinal cord. Today, more of us are spending more time in one
fixed position or posture, such as sitting in front of a computer for hours
on end. This can result in increased muscle tension and joint irritation in
the neck, consequently resulting in increased pain and discomfort in the
head. Thus, a great majority of headaches are associated with muscle
tension in the neck.
Recent studies have also linked
headache pain to nerve irritation. The spine protects the nervous system,
which consists of the brain and the spinal cord. When the vertebrae in your
neck do not move properly, this can irritate and put pressure on the nerves
in that area, resulting in headache.
Chiropractic treatment has been shown
to be extremely effective in the treatment of tension and cervicogenic headaches. This form of care can relieve
neck pain and stiffness, and is an effective treatment option for headaches
that originate in the neck. The joints of the spine in the neck are richly
supplied with nerve fibers that can cause pain in the head and the neck if
these joints are strained or injured. Stiffness and shortening of the
muscles and supporting ligamentous tissue can result in neck pain with
associated headache. Chiropractors can remove pressure on the nerves caused
by spinal misalignments and reduce tension in neck muscles to minimize
nerve pressure due to tight muscles. Spinal manipulation, as performed by a
licensed chiropractor, can decrease muscle tension thereby easing pain and
reducing potential forces exerted on the nerves which result in headache.
“A report released in 2001 by
researchers at the Duke University Evidence-Based Practice Center in Durham, NC,
found that spinal manipulation resulted in almost immediate improvement for
those headaches that originate in the neck, and had significantly fewer
side effects and longer-lasting relief of tension-type headache than
commonly prescribed medication”.
Chiropractic treatment offers a long
history of effectively treating pain without the use of prescription drugs
or surgery that can result in harmful and destructive consequences. Spinal
manipulation has shown to be useful in relieving fixations and restoring
normal joint mobility, thus alleviating stress on your system. The
treatment provided by your chiropractor for cervicogenic
and tension headache will likely also include cervical release and trigger
point techniques concentrating on the paraspinal
musculature and suboccipital muscle insertions.
As I mentioned, types of headaches and
their associated symptoms is an extensive and substantial field of study.
This overview is meant to help the reader understand the important role the
neck plays in causing headaches.
Any type of severe, persistent
headache, particularly those accompanied by fever, vomiting, changes in
speech or vision or any other unexplained symptoms should be brought to the
attention of your family physician or neurologist. Fortunately, most
headache sufferers do not endure these associated symptoms, and experience
headaches of the tension or cervicogenic variety.
As such, these individuals may benefit greatly from chiropractic care,
including spinal manipulation, soft tissue therapy and physical therapy
techniques.
To keep headache pain at bay, avoid
trigger mechanisms like foods and liquids which contain preservatives such
as nitrates found in hot dogs and red wine. Avoid stimulants such as
alcohol, caffeine and sodas, as well as chocolate, ripe cheeses, pork,
artificial sweeteners and MSG.
Salty foods can also be a factor in
causing and prolonging headaches. Remember that environmental stimuli such
as loud noises and bright lights can also lend themselves to distress.
Nutritional guidance as offered by a licensed professional can prove
invaluable in the defense and prevention of headache pain. Avoid overuse of
medication, as prescription misuse itself can contribute to headache pain.
Try not to spend long periods of time in one fixed position (such as
sitting in front of a computer or reading in a chair). Take breaks and
stretch every 30 minutes to an hour. Modifying posture, ergonomics (work
postures), exercises and relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation
can help contend with stress.
Talk to your chiropractor. Chiropractors undergo extensive training
to help their patients. They are licensed to examine and treat the entire
body with special emphasis on the nervous and musculoskeletal systems. They
can also help people lead healthier lives by focusing on wellness and
prevention.
Yellowstone Naturopathic
Clinic
720 N. 30th St.
Billings, MT 59101
PHONE 406·259·5096/FAX 406·248·5655
ync@180com.net
Dispensary
406·254·9682
dispensary@yncnaturally.com
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