Chronic headache solutions

 CHRONIC HEADACHE SOLUTIONS


 Every day, 10% of us have neck pain and headaches.  Whiplash is the most common cause of chronic headaches. The cervical ligaments are stretched or torn as a result of irritation to the sympathetic plexus around the these cervical vertebral arteries.  Trama precipitates these migraines and if there is mechanical occlusion it adds to the symptoms. Usually these headaches are one-sided, with associated trouble swallowing, noise in the ears, and occasionally some sensory changes. The pain is dull and neck movements are quite limited.

 These headaches originate from the cervical spine that has been damaged: this result in persistent sub-occipital pain. When the neck is moved, the headaches are altered.  A patients with neck pain carries an abnormal posture of his head and neck.

 With swelling of the neck muscles, the first and second cervical roots become compressed and pain is referred to any part of the head by way of the trigeminal nerves in the brainstem. Often psychoneurosis becomes a factor in these chronic whiplash headache cases.

 A routine x-ray rarely shows the true problem, since the patients  has his neck in a neutral position.   The top two cervical vertebrae, the Atlas which is circular ( C-1), and the Axis  which  looks like a Mexican hat or top ( C2), become displaced. The second cervical vertebrae should fit nicely inside the first one.

Unfortunately the ligaments from C2 that connect and hold the ligaments in place  are weakened  by trauma and  put pressure on the arteries to the back of the brain.  An x-ray with the patient’s head held back shows more than 3 mm between the back rim of the Atlaa and the front border  of C2.   Such an x-ray is rarely taken because the technician fears the patient may faint without a physician present. Acupuncture to the area strenthens these ligaments to hold the two vertebrae in place.

 Various medications and manipulations are prescribed for chronic headaches, but rarely work.  The FDA has recently approved the use of Botox injections for chronic headache patients.   This involves a shotgun method with 36 sites injected with this toxic poison, hoping to paralyze the right muscles.  It alleviates headaches by paralyzing the muscles of the neck and face.   The procedure is repeated every three months.

 It is amazing that the general public  does not realize that acupuncture  is quite successful in safely relieving these headaches, and is both cost-effective,  and  therapeutically effective.

Visit www.americanacupuncture.com for more information on medically controversial subjects.

 As a medical physician for over 51 years, I strive to give you the best medical information on controversial medical subjects, and help your read betwwen the lines. You must come to your own conclusions. I have no ties to any organization, pharmaceutical, or lobby group. As an practicing medical acupuncturist since 1982, I find western medicine and medical acupuncture are very complimentary. This results in astounding healing in pain management, addictions to cigarettes and food, and a host of other maladies.  Visit http://www.americanacupuncture.com/ or more detailed information on mind, body, and spirit healing.