Headaches can be debilitating in nature and determining whether headaches are neurological or vascular can take some time; however, people who suffer from repeated headaches should seek a diagnosis and a treatment plan. Consultation with your physician can involve MRI’s and CT scans, and sometimes even after these are performed, diagnosis can be difficult. Questions must be answered such as:
- How long have you had these headaches?
- Is there a trigger for your headaches?
- Have you seen your family physician for your headaches?
Defining the Headache
There are many different types of headaches and one of the most common is the Migraine. These involve seeing auras or spots as well as being light-sensitive. Migraines can cause nausea and even vomiting.
Primarily we deal with what is referred to as cervicogenic headaches which means a headache that originates from a problem in your upper back or neck. As I’ve mentioned in past episodes, a sedentary lifestyle plays a role in these types of headaches. Lack of exercise can lead to frequent headaches and I encourage patients to stay active as much as possible to help reduce the possibility of these types of problems.
Chronic Headaches Experienced in my Own Home
For years my wife suffered from chronic headaches and she went through the whole gamut of migraine medications. She would find some relief from those medications, but the headaches would eventually return. She maintained a log with dates and times recorded to help in determining a trigger cause, and I recommend this to anyone who suffers from headaches. However, we finally brought her into the office in hopes of pinpointing exactly what was causing her pain. We performed some soft tissue manipulations and discovered that she basically lacked enough stabilization in her neck. Her neck muscles had become weak and when she would become overloaded through the day, tissues would start to tighten due to an inability to support her head. This resulted in a headache which would work its way up from the base of her neck to the back of her skull. In other words, specific muscles were not working properly for her. After four to six weeks of mainly physical therapy, she has been headache free. She now has a home program which consists of a few exercises each day and she is much happier now that she no longer suffers from chronic pain.
Listening to Key Indicators
There are obvious signs that you should listen to, such as visual problems or debilitating head pain. If you are experiencing either of these, be sure to seek consultation with your primary physician or our office. A determination will be made as to whether you should see a neurologist or maybe just a physical therapist, and sometimes it’s something as simple as making minor changes in your personal habits. Don’t ignore the symptoms and hope they will fade away. If you suffer chronic headaches, seeking an answer is one of the healthiest favors you can do for yourself.
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