What You Need To Know About Occipital Neuralgia

What You Need To Know About Occipital Neuralgia

Many headaches that people classify as migraines are actually not migraines at all. Two of the most common headaches confused with migraines are sinus headaches and occipital neuralgia.

The condition can be debilitating but there are treatments, including chiropractic, that are very effective. Understanding occipital neuralgia can help patients better manage it so they can minimize the pain and symptoms of the condition.

What is occipital neuralgia?

Occipital neuralgia is a neurological condition that affects the occipital nerves which run from the top portion of the spinal cord, through the scalp, transmitting messages to and from the brain. There are two greater occipital nerves, one on each side of the head, from between the vertebrae located in the upper neck through the muscles that are located at the base of the skull and back of the head.

While they do not cover the areas on or near the ears or over the face, they can extend over the scalp as far as the forehead. When those nerves are injured or become inflamed, occipital neuralgia is the result. A person with this condition may experience pain at the base of their skull or the back of their head.

What are the symptoms of occipital neuralgia?

Pain is the prevalent symptom of occipital neuralgia. It often mimics the pain of migraine headaches or cluster headaches and is described as throbbing, burning, and aching.

There may also be intermittent shooting or shocking pain. Typically, the pain begins at the base of the skull but may radiate along the side of the scalp or in the back of the head. Other symptoms include:

• Pain is experienced on one side (but sometimes both sides)
• Pain behind the eye of the side that is affected
• Tenderness in the scalp
• Sensitivity to light
• Pain triggered by neck movement

What causes occipital neuralgia?

Irritation or pressure to the occipital nerves are what actually cause the pain. This may be due to tight muscles in the neck that squeeze or trap the nerves, injury, or inflammation.

However, much of the time doctors are unable to determine the cause. There are several medical conditions linked to occipital neuralgia:

• Tight neck muscles
• Diabetes
• Trauma or injury to the back of the head
• Gout
• Tension in the neck muscles
• Whiplash
• Inflammation of the blood vessels in and around the neck
• Infection
• Neck tumors
• Cervical disc disease
• Osteoarthritis

What are the treatments for occipital neuralgia?

Occipital neuralgia treatment focuses on pain relief. It often begins with conservative treatments that include:

• Rest
• Heat
• Physical therapy
• Anti-inflammatory over the counter medication
• Massage
• Chiropractic

In more severe cases the patient may be prescribed a stronger anti-inflammatory medication, muscle relaxants or in some cases an anti-convulsant medication.

If these therapies are not effective or do not bring about the desired level of pain relief, then doctors may recommend percutaneous nerve blocks and steroids. Sometimes surgery is recommended in cases where the pain is severe, chronic, and is unresponsive to more conservative treatments.

Chiropractic for occipital neuralgia

Chiropractic was once considered an “alternative” treatment for occipital neuralgia, but now it is often a regular part of recommended patient care. The advantage of chiropractic over medication or surgery is that chiropractic does not come with the side effects of drugs or the risks of surgery.

Another advantage is that chiropractic seeks to correct the root of the problem, not just manage the pain like other treatments.

Chiropractic treatment for occipital neuralgia may include spinal manipulation, heat, massage, and traction. This will help restore motion and function into the spine and take the pressure off of the nerves as it loosens the neck muscles.

The patient stands a better chance of staying pain free when taking this treatment route.

If you are in need of a Chiropractor in Friendswood (Houston area), Select Spine & Sports Medicine is here to help!

How Chiropractic Helps Migraine Headaches

If you have ever had a migraine before then you know that it is much more than a simple headache. The symptoms of a migraine can be debilitating, lasting hours and even days. According to the Migraine Research Foundation, it is the eighth most disabling disease in the world. It is estimated that 38 million people in the United States alone suffer from migraine headaches. That’s around one in every ten people.

According to the Migraine Research Foundation, migraine headaches are extremely difficult to treat and even more difficult to control. This is mainly due to the fact that doctors still don’t know exactly what causes it. This leaves it undiagnosed in many patients and often terribly undertreated in those with a diagnosis.

The best many doctors seem to be able to do is prescribe pain medication that has undesirable side effects in an effort to manage the symptoms. However, chiropractic has been shown in several studies to not only effectively manage the pain of migraines, it also helps stop and prevent them.

Anatomy of a Migraine Headache

There are two types of migraines, those with an aura and those without an aura. An aura can appear up to an hour before the onset of a migraine. It is a warning sign that usually presents as a disturbance that is either visual or olfactory. The person may see flashes of light or smell particular odors before the headache begins. About one in six migraines are preceded by an aura.

Once the migraine itself begins, the pain is typically on one side of the head, although this is not always the case. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to noise, sensitivity to light, and sensitivity to smell. Some patients experience an inability to concentrate, hot or cold flashes, stiffness in neck or shoulders, slurred speech, loss of coordination, and in rare cases, loss of consciousness.

The migraine can last several minutes, hours, or even days. Afterwards the patient may feel fatigued or washed out. They may be unable to concentrate and either lethargic or extremely energetic.

Studies Show: Chiropractic as a Migraine Treatment

There have been several clinical studies on chiropractic as a treatment for migraine headaches. The results of one study reported that 22 percent of patients who received chiropractic treatment for their migraines reported that their attacks were reduced by more than 90 percent. Additionally, 49 percent reported that the intensity of their migraines was significantly reduced.

Another study randomly assigned people with migraine headaches several different treatments. One group was given Elavil, a daily medication, another group was given chiropractic treatment and a third group received a combination of the two treatments. The results showed that chiropractic was as effective in reducing migraines as the medication and it had fewer side effects. Other studies have also found that chiropractic is as effective as medication for the treatment and prevention of migraine or tension headaches.

Chiropractic for Migraines Headaches

Spinal manipulation is a very effective treatment for migraines.

The patient may be counseled on managing stress, advised to engage in exercise, and given supplements. The treatments may be used to reduce the pain and severity of a migraine once it begins or it can be used to prevent migraines and reduce their frequency.

Chiropractic is a safer treatment with fewer side effects that prescription medications. Chiropractic is quickly becoming the treatment of choice for many migraine sufferers. As the studies show, it works! So if you or a loved one suffer from migraines, give us a call. Your Chiropractor in Friendswood is here to help!

Migraine Headache Relief With a Chiropractor

How can a Chiropractor in Friendswood help with a Migraine headache?

If you’ve ever had a migraine headache you know that it’s more than just a headache. The debilitating pain can be accompanied by nausea and other symptoms – and it’s more common than you may think. Research shows that in every four American households, one person is a migraine sufferer. In fact, 12 percent of the U.S. population suffers from migraines, including children. This means migraines affect more people that asthma and diabetes combined.

It is estimated that 18 percent of women suffer from migraines while 6 percent of men are migraine sufferers. It most commonly affects people who are between the ages of 25 and 55, but even young children have been diagnosed. Migraines can stop you in your tracks, but there are treatments that can help. Chiropractic care has been shown to help ease the pain, intensity, and frequency of migraines.

What is a Migraine Headache?

Migraines are vicious headaches that can last several minutes to several hours or even days. It is characterized by intense pulsing or a throbbing sensation that is typically confined to one area of the head. It is often accompanied by vomiting, nausea, and extreme sensitivity to sound and light. The pain can be so severe that you can barely function. Many people find themselves confined to bed in a darkened room, waiting for it to pass.

Many times migraine headache sufferers report experiencing an aura, or sensory warning symptoms, such as strange smells, blind spots, flashes of light, or tingling in your leg or arm. They also tend to run in families. If one parent is a migraine sufferer the child has a 40 percent chance of having migraines as well. If both parents get migraines that chance jumps to 90 percent. It is the 8^th most debilitating illness on a global scale.

For the most part, doctors do not know much about what causes a migraine headache. However, there are some things that have been identified as migraine triggers:

• Hormonal changes – at certain times during the month, women experience fluctuations in estrogen which can trigger migraines
• Oral contraceptives – medications that change or replace hormones can make headaches worse
• Certain foods – processed foods, MSG, salty foods, aged cheeses
• Fasting or skipping meals
• Aspartame
• Alcohol
• Stress
• Sensory overstimulation
• Dehydration
• Intense physical exertion
• Too much or too little sleep
• Medications

How Chiropractic Care Can Help A Migraine Headache

Many doctors believe that headaches and migraines may be caused by a spine that is out of alignment. When your spine is stiff and tight, it can irritate the nerves that run from the brain to the spine causing a headache. Chiropractic manipulation can help relieve the pain of a migraine headahce. In fact, many people report a distinct difference after just one session.

A Doctor of Chiropractic will manipulate your spine and work with you to create a plan that can include stretches and exercises to strengthen your spine. Making changes to your sleep patterns and eliminating certain foods from your diet can help prevent migraines. By creating a whole body wellness program, you and your chiropractor can not only help prevent your migraines, but other health conditions as well.

Your Chiropractor in Friendswood may also recommend that you keep a journal to help you pinpoint your own unique migraine triggers. You will record the foods you eat, environmental factors that may affect you, stressors, and sleep patterns, as well as when you have a migraine headache, how long they last, and its severity. By tracking these things, you can determine what may be causing your migraines and make adjustments to your lifestyle, thus preventing them. Incorporating chiropractic care as part of your treatment plan as well as migraine headache prevention, can help you stave off these headaches so you can get on with your life.

If you or a loved one suffers from migraine headaches, make sure you give us a call. Our Doctor of Chiropractic is here to help!

Relief from Temporo-Mandibular Joint Disorder

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, or TMJ, is a common condition that affects the jaw. It can be extremely painful and many people are turning to methods other than medication or surgery to relieve that pain. While lifestyle changes such as diet may help, chiropractic care has been cited as a viable treatment for TMJ pain.

At first, this may seem counter-intuitive simply because it is widely believed that chiropractors only treat the spine and neck. This commonly held belif is not entirely accurate. Chiropractors treat all joints, including the spine and neck. A chiropractor may treat ankles, wrists, knees, and, yes, even the jaw. Sometimes the neck and spine can be contributing factors and they can be treated with chiropractic care as well.

What is TMJ?

The joint that connects your jaw to your skull and allows you to open and close your mouth is the temporomandibular joint. When you have problems with the muscles or joint in that area it is called TMJ, or more accurately temporomandibular disorders, or TMD.

This disorder is characterized by pain and stiffness on one or both sides of the jaw. The jaw may also lock or get stuck in either a closed or open position. Patients may also notice a popping, clicking, or grating sound in the jaw when chewing, yawning, or when closing or opening their mouth. They may also have trouble chewing and even experience swelling.

Doctors don’t know what causes TMJ. It seems to be linked to trauma to the neck, such as with whiplash, but it also can be caused by:

• Arthritis in the jaw
• Grinding the teeth
• Stress that causes clenching of the jaw
• Movement of the disc, or soft cushion, that lies between the socket and ball of the jaw

Diagnosis and Treatment for TMJ

Many conditions can mimic the symptoms of TMD. After taking a medical history, your doctor will check the joints in the jaw for popping, clicking, or grating sounds. He will also assess the patient’s pain or tenderness level and check for any stiffness. During the exam, the doctor will assess the job and its ability to function properly. X-rays may also be a part of the examination.

If the doctor can pinpoint the probable cause of the TMJ, he may prescribe certain treatments or make recommendations that will help. Medication is one option, mainly stress or anti-anxiety medication to help the patient relax. A night guard or splint is another option. It helps to put the patient’s teeth in the correct position. A splint is worn all the time and a night guard is worn only at night. Dental work is another option and in come more serious cases, surgery.

Chiropractic Care for TMJ

Chiropractic for TMJ is not only common, but very effective. The chiropractor may perform neck or spine adjustment as well as adjustments to the jaw. This means that the patient may experience pressure on their skull, jaw, upper spine, or neck as the chiropractor treat the condition. There are also soft tissue treatments that the chiropractor may perform during the course of treatment for TMJ.

The chiropractor will often recommend lifestyle and diet changes to patients. This offers the patient the opportunity to treat the whole body as opposed to just one area. They may apply cold packs or heat packs to the area, recommend supplements, and teach the exercises designed to lessen the pain and encourage healing. Chiropractic is a safe, effective, and non-invasive treatment for TMJ.

So if you or a loved one have been diagnosed with TMD and/or are experiencing TMJ pain, give us a call. Our Doctor of Chiropractic is here to help!

How We Can Help Your Headaches

If you are among the 45 million Americans who suffer headaches regularly, you are undoubtedly familiar with the traditional methods that people use to treat them, including taking some type of over the counter medication that is supposed to eliminate the pain and reduce any associated swelling. There are many other types of treatment that you may have attempted as well, including taking pharmaceuticals designed to treat pain. However, none of these solutions provide permanent relief that addresses the problem at the core.

In the past few decades, there have been an increasing number of patients throughout the country that have begun to seek alternative forms of therapy for all types of conditions, including headaches. One form of treatment that is very promising for physical as well as other types of pain is chiropractic.

This form of care has been used successfully for over a hundred years and has become a regular part of the American healthcare delivery system. In fact, there are a majority of insurance providers that are willing to pay for chiropractic because of its effectiveness.

During Chiropractic school, the human anatomy is studied in great detail, just like other medical professionals. A large focus of that study is placed on the neuro-musculoskeletal system.  It is a fact that the most common headaches are known as Tension Headaches.  This tension is caused by tightness in a group of four muscles at the base of the skull.

These muscles are call the sub-occipital musccles and when tight can also squeeze nerves. While it usually manifests itself as physical pain, this is not always the case. In some instances, the person may experience difficulties with sleep or other routine habits as well as decrease range of motion in the neck.

On the first visit with a chiropractor, a review of previous health issues will be completed. We will listen attentively and make an assessment, including determining what types of treatment will best suit the patient.

In the case of headaches, the patient usually has stiffness in the cervical spine. This may be accompanied by muscles that are unduly tight in the neck, shoulders and nearby areas. Pressure on the nerves may cause sharp stabbing pains or there may be a continual dull throb in the region.

After the exam, we will move forward with treatment in order to relieve the pressure and pain. The relief can instantaneous, with an increase in positive symptoms for the following few hours.

However, at Select Spine & Sports, we don’t just focus on relieving symptoms but rather correcting the problem; therefore, we will teach you stretches and exercises to perform on your own to help prevent the headaches from returning.

If you need further help with your headaches or are ready to see how beneficial chiropractic care can be to your health, please give us a call so that you can schedule an appointment with our Friendswood Doctor of Chiropractic.