Expert: Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP - 6/18/2008

Question
I have been in pain for 4 years, my neurologists, put me on verapamil to try to prevent the migrains. when i get a migrain it is so intense and can last up to a week or more. I cant keep a job, my neck stays so tight at the soft spot in the back of my head it feels like my head is in a vice grip almost constantly. I have had mri, cat scans, and 2-3 other test done. I cant go on like this i need answers.If you could shed some light on this i would be very gratfull.  Nancy

Answer
Migraine headaches, tight neck, neck pain, MRI, CT scan, Herniated disc, bulging disc, headache.

Hello Nancy,

Sorry to hear of your long term headache problem.  Perhaps it is time to try a different Doctor of Chiropractic.  The number one problem that comes to the chiropractic office is low back pain (with and without sciatica), the number two reason people present to the Doctor of Chiropractic is headaches.  

Headache pain has to be fully evaluated.  Although rare, we certainly have to rule out big bad things like brain lesions.  MRI or CT of the brain, as well as the neck should be performed.  A common cause of headache is vision problems, optometric exam should be performed,,, maybe you need glasses.  And even simple blood tests should be part of the evaluation looking at blood sugar- diabetes, hypoglycemia; this metabolic problem may contribute to the headache as well.

Your family Doctor of Chiropractic has probably performed all of these tests and referrals.  Once these possible causes have been ruled out, then perhaps the cause of your headache is your cervical spine.  You mention bulging discs, these may be irritating nerves in your neck that control blood flow and muscle activity in your head and neck.  These discs, these irritated nerves could be a cause of your problem.  Bulging discs, herniated discs, curve alterations, neck pain itself, headache pain itself, these things indicate to the Doctor of Chiropractic that a problem known as 'Subluxation' exists.

Vertebral Subluxation Complex is a problem in the way the joints are moving in the spine, a problem with proper alignment, and through these properties, the subluxation affects other aspects.  Here is a handout I utilize in my Staten Island Chiropractic office explaining the subluxation complex:
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“Headache”   ( Also Known As-  Cephalgia )

Sometimes  we  experience Headache.   Head pain,  headache, can come from many causes;   perhaps we overindulged in food or alcohol,  headache can result; perhaps an allergy, our eyes, fatigue, tension,  or a multitude of causes can  cause our headache.  Sometimes we take pill after pill with little good result....
Sometimes the cause of headache pain can be in our head/ neck/ spinal alignment, our posture, our movement patterns.    Perhaps your neck is giving you a headache!!
Often-  the true    c a u s e   of  the headache and pain;  is a misalignment,  a  ‘kink’ in the neck- more properly termed a Vertebral Subluxation.

              Vertebral   Subluxation   Complex    (a.k.a.  ‘subluxation’)
The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many healthcare problems.

A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.
This is a serious condition identified by its five parts:

    Spinal Kinesiopathology:
         This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.

    Neuropathophysiology:
         Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.

    Myopathology:
          Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.

    Histopathology:
         A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.

    Pathophysiology:
         The VSC contributes to OsteoArthritic degeneration. Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.


The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.
         Automobile accidents, improper lifting, improper posture, alcohol, emotional stress, chemical imbalances, and long periods of sitting can cause the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
          Vertebral  Subluxation  cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone.  Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction-  -  -    a manipulation,     best performed with the chiropractic adjustment.  For good health- Treat the   Cause,  not just the symptoms.
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As I stated earlier; the Doctor of Chiropractic will perform or refer for a thorough evaluation of the head and neck.  Usually appropriate chiropractic care can resolve many headache problems.  If your current Doctor of Chiropractic has not resolved much of the problem, see another Doctor.  Chiropractic has many different techniques and approaches, perhaps a different Doctor with a different technique will resolve your complaints more completely.

This Staten Island Chiropractor sees many a headache patient.  Usually the course of treatment results in resolving the complaint. Different techniques are utilized in my Staten Island Chiropractic office, from osseous chiropractic spinal adjustment, to soft tissue work such as S.O.T. or Activator technique, soon I will have spinal decompression within the office, and of course, nutritional supplementation is recommended with almost all of my patients.

This article is for discussion, information and educational purposes only.  Actual evaluation, DX, TX, RX, PX can only be performed by a licensed health professional in person.

I wish you good luck and good health naturally !

Thank you for the question,

Dr. Victor Dolan, DC
http://www.DocDolan.net
http://www.GoodHealthNaturally.info
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com  (email newsletter)