Head Treatments
Headaches
derive from a variety of causes and fortunately very few of these are due
to medically serious problems.
Tension
headaches are due to abnormal tone in the muscles of the upper neck and
scalp. They are one of the few headaches to be felt on both sides of the
head and usually present as a dull pain or a ‘tight band of pain’.
Often they start at the back of the head or upper neck and move
forwards.
Cervicogenic
headaches are pains that are felt in the head but which have their origin
in the tissues of the neck.
Migraines
are complex in their cause and it is now felt that they relate to short
lasting changes in the brain’s electrical activity and a related change
to blood flow within the skull. These are almost never dangerous and
all humans have the potential to experience them. Often migraines are
triggered by factors like stress, foods (commonly coffee, red wine and
chocolate) and abnormal mechanical function in the neck. By definition
migraines are always felt only on one side of the head at a time.
Chiropractic
treatment of headaches is by first excluding underlying disease and
then identifying any problems in the way the neck is working mechanically.
It may be that some of the joints have become stiff or that muscles in the
area are unduly tight and out of balance. Addressing these simple
mechanical problems has been shown to provide good relief for many
headache sufferers. Additionally giving advice on lifestyle, diet and
exercise helps keep the problems under control in the long term. Whilst
not all patients will get a total cure with this treatment many do and
still more experience a reduction in either the severity or frequency of
their headaches.
Chiropractic
treatment is not appropriate for all headaches and a qualified
chiropractor is trained to identify these and arrange onwards referral to
the correct medical doctor.
The
following are some of the headache symptoms that may give rise to concern
- A
first headache in someone who has not had any before
- A
pain that comes on suddenly and shows no sign of easing
- A
pain that gradually worsens rather than settling
- Any
headache after an accident or knock to the head
- Feeling
generally unwell or sick together with a new headache
A
chiropractor or other medical advisor should check these symptoms
immediately.
Jaw
problems (TMJ dysfunction) can cause pain to the sides of the face or
head, restricted mouth opening and clicking. Occasionally they may cause
an alarming locking of the jaw. The two ‘temeporomandibular’ joints
have a complex structure of ligaments, muscles and a mobile fibrous disk.
The function of them can be disturbed if some of the muscles become over
tight causing imbalance left to right or if the disk is displaced. Balance
within the jaw is related in large part to the posture of the upper neck
and head.
Chiropractic
management of TMJ dysfunction is based on restoring the balance to the area.
Often this is done in partnership with dentists who find altered bite on
the teeth.
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© February, 2008
- Back2Health Group