Headaches: What to do?

Headaches arise from the pain sensitive structures of the head and neck.  Even though the brain is responsible for perceiving and evaluating pain, it is itself completely insensitive to pain.  The coverings of the brain (meninges) and blood vessels are the most sensitive structures inside the skull.  These structures cover a large area of the head and the neck at many levels.

In addition, most of the nerves in the upper neck and head converge into a single area of the brain.  This convergence makes localizing the exact site of irritation difficult, creating an environment where pain is “referred” from one area to another.  This creates a situation where diagnostic tests, such as x-rays, CT scans, and MRIs, are of limited value.

According to Rand Swenson, MD, a headache specialist: “It cannot be stressed enough that headache diagnosis relies on the patient’s symptoms and history, and therefore the clinician’s ability to elicit a comprehensive case history is crucial for reaching the correct diagnosis.

In today’s fast-paced environment, health care providers may not have the time to perform a complete evaluation passing many headaches off as “migraines” and placing people on medications with little or no effect.  At ActiveCare we take the time to evaluate all the structures involved, including posture, cervical spine, vision, TMJ, and lifestyle stressors, to obtain a complete clinical picture.  We then treat the individual to correct his or her specific contributing factors, with medical referral when necessary.

What to do for a headache?  Get the complete picture and address the entire situation, not just where the symptoms lie.