Expert: Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP - 8/23/2008

Question
I started having a pounding headaches one morning as I was talking to a student at my desk. Once I straiten up my neck to normal level I started to get a pounding headache that slowly over the next few hours was bad, it went away a little each day for the next several days. Only to come back a week later. This was in the month of MAY, all summer I have had a hangover headaches feeling when I wake up in the morning, some days it is alright but it is always there if I go running or anything that requires my head to move up and down in a bouncing motion it gets extremely worse at the back of the head and radiates to both of my ears, I also have constant pressure in my ears when this happens. In the mean time I have had a CAT scan of the head, MRI of the head, and a MRI of the neck. Everything is fine except I have  narrowing of the foramen c5-c6. If I  can crack/pop my neck from on one side I get a little relieve that lasts a little while. Please let me know if this can be the cause of my problems. I have a copy of my MRIs if you would like to see them.

Answer
headaches, pounding headaches, hangover headaches, headache radiation, narrowing C5-C6, MRI, pinched nerve, herniated disc, curve alteration, vertebral subluxation complex,

Hello Isreal,

Sorry to hear of your headaches.

You mention 'hangover headaches',,,, we are not talking about drinking alcohol and having a headache are we?, I do not think so,,,
drinking alcohol and then a headache the next day is common, is not good, and the best cure is just not drinking alcohol as much, or not drinking alcohol at all.  Sorry-- just had to get the 'hangover' thing out of the way.

So, you had an MRI, relatively 'normal'.  What did your Doctor of Chiropractic say about the alignment, curve, positioning and movement displayed in the spine?

Medical Doctors and Chiropractic Doctors look for some of the same things, and some different things.  Chiropractors of course look for cancers, tumors, fractures, herniated discs, medical pathologies; medical doctors look for these things as well, BUT medical doctors do not place an emphasis on posture, alignment, movement patterns in the spinal joints as chiropractors do.

Headaches often respond to Chiropractic care.  Follow the regimen of care set up by your Doctor of Chiropractic.  If you have not been evaluated by a DC, I highly recommend visiting your local chiropractor.

The MRI, Xrays, other testing you have done are good!, these tests have ruled out big bad things like cancers and tumors.  Again, if you have not been examined by a Chiropractor, which gives you a different perspective, and a different, safe, effective treatment approach--- see the local DC.

In my Staten Island Chiropractic office I utilize some informational handouts-  this may be helpful:

“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.
Dr. Victor E. Dolan,   Doctor of Chiropractic;   Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN);FIRST  Chief of Chiropractic  in  a  Hospital  in  New York State (DHSI);  As  Seen  in  PREVENTION  Magazine

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Disk   Herniation
Herniated  disk  is  actually  a  quite  common  condition.   However,  the course of the condition is highly variable.   Some patients with a herniated disk literally cannot walk, yet other patients with similar MRI findings may be able to run marathons or lift heavy weights.   Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months. Although the course is highly variable, there are certain steps that are always helpful to follow:  Ice the area when painful-  10/ 15minutes on, 30/ 45 minutes off;  avoid certain postures and movements;  bend the knees when coughing or sneezing;  bend the knees when lifting anything;  do not extend legs straight out when sitting, laying down, lifting, or driving.   Avoiding certain movements and postures will prevent aggravation of the condition.   Practicing good postures and movement patterns will help the condition heal and be less painful.
Disk  Herniation  is often caused by, or often  concurrent with the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
         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.

Subluxation  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.  When subluxated, joints are in a stressed, vulnerable, compromised condition.  Subluxation may cause Arthritis, Disk Herniation, or aggravate such conditions.   
          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.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Lower  Back  Pain  (LBP):          Low  Back  Pain  can be caused by many different things.  Big, BAD, catastrophic things like a tumor or a cancer can cause low back pain (only a proper exam by a licensed doctor, like your Doctor of Chiropractic, or your family Doctor of Medicine, can evaluate your signs and symptoms, and perhaps refer for testing).  Big, bad things like a Herniated Disc, sciatica, possible fracture or dislocation can cause LBP (again, best evaluated by your DC or MD, and perhaps referral).  Bad things, like  - Sprains, Strains, contusion, or Vertebral Subluxation Complex (all very efficiently diagnosed and treated by your Doctor Of Chiropractic).  LBP can come from a motor vehicle accident, sport injury, slip, trip, fall, arthritis, lifting improperly, or even bad posture in standing, sitting or sleeping.  All of these things often have a Lumbar (Low Back) Vertebral Subluxation involved.  
              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:
         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.
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I hope this helps.  This is your Staten Island Chiropractor signing off, and wishing you Good Luck,
and
Good Health Naturally,

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