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
Question I have been getting stabbing / shooting pains in my left temple area for the last couple of days - they come in spasms, every 10 mins or so and last for about 1-2 mins. It is regular and extremely painful - what is it?
Answer Hello G.,
First off, thank you for trusting me with your health. However, as a disclaimer, please do not take any recommendations or advice I give without first consulting with your doctor, and please do not use this website as a substitute for your healthcare needs or the healthcare advice of your doctors since there is no way a doctor can thoroughly evaluate you without seeing you in person
With that said, it is important for you to understand it is not wise for me to pretend as if I know exactly what your condition is. I would be skeptical of any doctor that can confidently give you a diagnosis over the internet, via an email. I hope you understand what I mean. However, there are a couple types of headaches that have a tendency to locate in the temporal region. One possibility is temporal arteritis. There is no way for me to know if this is what you have. But this condition does affect this area of the head and can be pretty painful. It is mostly a vascular problem. Things like chewing can aggravate the condition and there can also be visual disturbances. Because there are many possibilities of what your condition could be, this being one of them, I would advise you to go see a doctor. Temporal arteritis is an inflammatory condition that needs to be medically managed, so visiting your medical doctor would be the best thing to make sure it's not this condition.
Of course, there are always other conditions, such as trigger points, which are basically areas of focal, localized knots in the muscle that can refer to other ares of the body. If you have someone work on these trigger points through massage therapy, acupressure, trigger point therapy, acupuncture, the trigger points should release and your shooting pains and headaches should let up. Another condition that likes to refer to this area is TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disease). A knowledgeable medical doctor, chiropractor, or dentist is most likely able to diagnose this condition. This affects the temporomandibular joint and it is usually a degenerative condition from wear and tear and muscular imbalances from the chewing muscles. It can also be aggravated in night-grinders, called bruxism. A chiropractor can work on the muscles out of balance and give you exercises to help retrain your chewing muscles, and a dentist can give you a night guard if you are a night grinder. There are a variety of other conditions that can affect the temporal region, which again, only validates your need to see a doctor. To know from a short email is practically impossible, but the things that I've listed are some of the most common conditions affecting these areas. And perhaps something I've written will help you narrow down your choices and pinpoint a commonality you have with one of the conditions.
