AboutJ.R. Strecker, B.S., D.C. Expertise I can answer questions related to the signs, symptoms, causes, types, management, treatment, and prevention of headaches and migraines. It is critical to accurately identify the type and cause of the headache to maximally reduce the frequency, duration, and intensity of the headache.
Experience I have extensive experience as a chiropractor in an integrated system. My background is mostly experienced with routine patient management of musculoskeletal disorders and pain management. I work closely with highly-trained anesthesiologists for pain management protocols, and I am also the chief chiropractor of an integrated clinic incorporating chiropractic, massage therapy, allopathic medicine, acupuncture, herbology, homeopathy, and naturopathic medicine. I typically integrate a combination of these aspects for both the wellness and pain management of my patients. I have treated patients at Venice Family Clinic, the nation’s largest free clinic and a teaching clinic for the UCLA medical system, in a heavily researched pilot program incorporating chiropractic and acupuncture with allopathic medicine. In my private practice, I also work alongside the chief medical director for student health at California State University – Los Angeles. Next to back and neck pain, headaches and migraines are the most common conditions I treat in my practice.
Organizations American Chiropractic Association.
California Chiropractic Association.
Publications Dr. J.R. Strecker’s Practice -- featured story (Front Page of Business Section), The Palisadian Post. Oct. 25th, 2007. (Dr. Strecker not the original author).
Education/Credentials Bachelor’s of Science, Human Biology (Cleveland Chiropractic College).
Doctor of Chiropractic, Cum Laude Honors (Cleveland Chiropractic College).
Awards and Honors Youngest chiropractor in professional history to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree
Past/Present Clients Consulting Chiropractor for Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy – Pacific Palisades, CA
About a month ago I started a strict diet; about two weeks ago I started feeling lethargic and getting headaches. About a week ago, I started feeling slightly nausious occasionally. About three days ago, I felt like I was having palpitations. Past few days: every time I stand up, I feel a rushing feeling in my head, like pressure building up then rushing out. Headaches are in temples, like pressure. My question: could some vitamin deficiency be causing these headaches and other symptoms? If so, do you know which ones? One thing I noticed is that my diet is low in sodium: 1000-1268...not sure if this is enough, or if this could even be a factor.
Answer Hello A.,
First off, thank you for trusting me with your health. However, as a disclaimer, please do not take any of my advice without at least consulting with your doctor first. I always suggest printing this letter and taking it to your doctor for him or her to read.
The only problem with the question is I don’t know what your diet is. Whether it’s a “diet,” meaning to lose weight, or a diet that just consists of certain foods, diets can drastically affect how a person feels. Make sure you’re doing a healthy diet. For example, Atkins diets can be bad if you’re eating a pound of ground beef with mayonnaise and no fruits and veggies, but can be good when you’re eating lean meats, like fish, with fruits and veggies that have low glycemic indexes. There is no point in dieting if you’re doing the wrong diet. If you’re on a starvation diet or some diet that doesn’t let you eat after 4 PM, then that can definitely create your problems as well. Your blood sugar might drop too low in the evening or between meals, causing your blood sugar to become hypoglycemic or too low, which will make you feel weak, nauseated, and dizzy. If you’re on a strict vegetarian diet, that too can create problems if you’re not getting adequate protein. Your body needs protein to make sure your blood cells are forming properly. And properly formed blood cells ensure that your tissues are getting enough oxygen, preventing anemia. If you don’t get enough protein, you might feel a little dizzy. If you’re severely limiting your sodium, there must be a reason why. If it’s for your blood pressure, try supplementing with Calcium, as there are studies that show a supplementation of Calcium can sometimes be more effective than reducing sodium to control high blood pressure. And reducing sodium intake may have very little effect on your blood pressure if you are not a sodium-sensitive patient, which some studies indicate fewer people are than thought to be by many doctors.
Yes, whenever you undertake a strict, new diet, especially a diet limiting certain foods or the quantity and frequency of foods, vitamin and mineral deficiency can easily develop. Strict dieting is actually one of the most common causes to develop nutritional deficiencies that can create your symptoms. It is important to get on a good multi-vitamin because the symptoms you have described can be the result of a nutritional deficiency. But they can also be the result of something more serious. Because I’m not your doctor and with no way for me to properly evaluate you, and because your symptoms are so serious (palpitations aren’t a good thing to be experiencing from a diet), it is critical that you go see a licensed doctor who knows what he/she is doing. For your case, I would recommend you to go see a Naturopathic Doctor (ND). These doctors are great for nutritional deficiencies and can further assess the safety of your diet. You can find one located near you here: http://heartspring.net/naturopathic_directory.html. I can recommend certain vitamins that help with reducing headaches, but it wouldn’t make sense for me, nor would it be wise for both of us, if we start looking for supplements to mask your symptoms created from a lifestyle change. The most logical thing is to find a diet that meets your goals and reasons you had in the first place for dieting without causing you more serious symptoms or compromising your health. I don’t know any doctor that would recommend otherwise. This is the most practical and logical advice. To do this, however, you will likely need a doctor to counsel you on healthy dieting and to properly evaluate you to make sure you don’t have a more serious condition developing.
Just remember, there are healthy diets out there and there are unhealthy diets. And it makes no sense to diet at all if your health is compromised in the process. That’s a bit contradictory and an oxymoron. I hope you understand my concern, and I hope this provides a little guidance for you.
