Do You Really Have a Migraine?
Approximately 46% of the world’s adult population suffers from headaches (Stovner et al. 2006). Not surprisingly, the World Health Organization ranked headaches the 10th most disabling disorder worldwide.
I know what those statistics look like in your day-to-day life -- not being able to take care of your children, calling out sick, constant vigilance of your pain and its frequency. All while trying to manage it with pharmaceuticals, alternative healing modalities and even lifestyle and nutritional accommodations.
Often being told patients suffer from migraines, we find many are misdiagnosed. They usually come with a variety of aggressive medications that commonly lead to side effects such as decreased appetite, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating or communicating.
According to both the literature and my clinical experience, only 15% of diagnoses labeled as migraines are truly migraines.
More frequently, patients are actually suffering from cervicogenic headaches (originating from the upper neck), migraines with significant cervicogenic components, or tension-type headaches.
In the clinic I encounter three main types of chronic headaches, each presenting differently and each type requiring a slightly different treatment approach.
In recent years, I have focused on enhancing my evaluation and treatment skills to better assist patients suffering from chronic headaches.
When a patient presents with headaches at the clinic, my first priority is to ensure they are suitable for manual therapy and do not exhibit any red flags. For instance, neck pain or headaches can be early signs of a stroke, which must be ruled out.
Migraines and cervicogenic headaches usually affect one side of the head and may radiate to the orbit. Although I perform several clinical tests to differentiate between these types, discussing them in detail is beyond the scope of this newsletter.
Tension-type headaches typically affect both sides of the head, and their triggers differ from those of migraines and cervicogenic headaches.
I have found that a combination of dry needling, cervical and thoracic spinal manipulation, neck stabilization exercises, as well as dietary modifications—such as reducing intake of processed carbohydrates, seed oils, and dairy products—are highly effective in treating and aborting most chronic headaches.
As always, there is so much more nuance I want to share with you that cannot be expressed here in a simple newsletter.
I invite you to join me this coming Sunday, September 20th from 1PM - 3PM at Gravity + Oxygen for a complimentary group event on Headaches & Migraines.
I'll also be doing 15-minute mini evaluations to offer personalized treatment recommendations.
Especially in these highly pressurized times we are living, I believe it's essential we each have our network of trusted people in our communities that we can turn to for support and care.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
O
E:ORONSPORTPT@GMAIL.COM P: 201-7362741
199 W Palmetto Park Rd
Boca Raton, FL, 33432
Comments