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.
Please note: Due to the limitations of email communication, I cannot answer questions seeking a potential diagnosis or a second opinion. Without exception, any answers given may be used for educational purposes only. If a question is asked, you, the questioner, inherently agree to not use the answer for any type of evidence against another individual or to outweigh the advice or opinion of another healthcare professional. You, the questioner, also inherently agree to remove Allexperts.com and its affiliates and the author of the answer, Dr. JR Strecker, DC, from any harm or liability.
Experience I have extensive experience with chiropractic in an integrated system. 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. I am currently focused on private 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 am looking for some adivice. I was in a car accident(rear ended 60mph) Nov 08. I have been experiencing excuritating headaches since that day. Went to regular GP, he gave me muscles relaxers, tramadoyl and sent me to Chiro. If I take the muscle relaxers morning and night, the headaches arent so bad, more less tightness where my head meets my neck behind my ears(occipital area). Chiro tried for 4 months (tens unit,physical therapy, traction and manipulation)to fix issue and that didn work. The traction was the worse, 6 hours after it, I would wake up miserable for 3 days and he wouldnt touch me. He sent me to Pain Management/Physical Therapy(hands on)(3 months). PM/PT did a MRI on my neck and I have a small disc protrusion, I got shots in my neck(facet) since they thought that was causing my headaches. 3 weeks after, I still have these headaches. The flexeril still takes the headaches away if i take meds almost exact same time(most of the time)even then i still have tingles in that area or numbness like symptoms. If I happen to take it even two hours late, the next three days are miserable and all I want to do is try to sleep so I dont feel the pain. If I skip a dose, I can feel it coming on and its then to late to stop it from coming a major pain. The tramadol I try not to take because I dont feel it does anything other than making me sleepy(thats how I go to sleep). Nothing as far as sounds or lights make it worse. Heat nor cold seems to make it better or worse. The most that makes it worse (with meds when i get one) is coughing, bending over to put on shoes, or getting up off the couch/bed. This is affecting my everyday life and want it to go away.
Answer Disclaimer: please do not take any of my advice without at least consulting with your doctor(s) first. If necessary, print this email in its entirety for your doctor(s) to read. In addition, please do not attempt to use this website or my advice as a substitute for your healthcare needs, as a substitute for the advice of your doctor, or as a substitute for any legal advice. There is no way a thorough health evaluation or assessment of any medical condition can be properly made via email. Please only use the contents discussed as a guide or tool to address your health matters with your doctor(s). If any of the information I provide conflicts in anyway with the information your doctor(s) provide, it is always best to default to the information provided by your consulting doctor(s) or to seek additional opinions from qualified, licensed healthcare providers as needed.
Hello J.,
Sorry to hear about your headaches and the accident. Although I don’t know if everything below is applicable to your situation, hopefully at least one thing may get you enough relief to help you feel better.
It sounds like much of your pain may be muscular in nature because of your symptomatic relief from a muscle relaxant. Magnesium is a natural muscle relaxant. There are potential side-effects, such as loose-stools and drowsiness, as well as the potential to overdose. However, at therapeutic levels it is generally safe and many patients respond favorably to it. Talk to a doctor about trying it as an alternative first.
Additionally, if you pain is muscular in nature, you should respond well to massage therapy. It may take some trial and error finding a knowledgeable massage therapist that works well with your body, but your diligent search for a massage therapist will be worth your efforts. Not all massage therapists are the same because massage is a hands-on healing modality with many forms and techniques, so your response to care can be practitioner-dependent.
Since it sounds like you’ve tried several forms of treatment with little success, you may want to consider acupuncture. Just the same as massage therapy, it is a hands-on healing art, and variations from one practitioner to the next can greatly affect your response to care. It’s worth considering, especially with so much research supporting the efficacy of this healing art.
Part of your pain may be due to chronic inflammation, so a good flaxseed or fish oil supplement may provide some benefit as well.
These points of interest are basic starting points, especially since it sounds like you’ve tried so many routes of pain management. As always, check with your doctor before trying anything mentioned above, but hopefully this will help you get back on track.
