“I woke up this morning with an excruciating headache.  I thought the top of my head was going to blow off!”  “I notice as the day goes on, tightness in my neck worsens and I get a headache usually by 2-3pm.” “I don’t know if I can do my work with my headaches.”

And the next thing that usually comes is…

“Why does it hurt so much?”

Well, to answer that question you need to know a bit more about how headaches work.  Headaches are one of the most common complaints prompting patients to visit a health care provider.  The National Institutes of Health (NIH) describe four types of headache: vascular, muscular contraction or tension, traction and inflammatory.

Vascular Headaches
The most common form of a vascular headache is migraine.  Migraine sufferers usually complain of severe pain on one or both sides of the head, nausea or vomiting and sometimes visual changes.  There is often a heightened sensitivity to light or noise prompting migraine sufferers to lay in a dark, quiet room until the migraine passes.  Women are more likely to suffer from migraines than men and the severity of symptoms can be so extreme that all activity must be stopped until it passes.

The next most common type of vascular headache is the toxic headache produced by a fever.  Other vascular headache types include “cluster” headaches, which are characterized by repeated episodes of intense pain that start in one spot and spread out from that spot.  These may only last a few minutes to an hour but carry a very high level of pain and activity intolerance.  Another common type of vascular headache is that resulting from high blood pressure.

Tension Headaches
Muscle contraction or tension headaches involve tightening of the facial and neck muscles.  These often start in the neck and radiate over the top or to the sides of the head.  The muscles in the neck are usually extremely tight and tender and often, moderate pressure applied with the finger or thumb to these muscles will prompt radiating pain into and/or over the top of the head.  This can also result in significant activity intolerance but usually not as severe as migraine or cluster headaches.

Traction and  Inflammatory Headaches
Traction and inflammatory headaches result because of other conditions that range from a sinus infection to a stroke.  These types of headaches can serve as a warning sign of a more significant or serious condition.  Another example is meningitis as well as other conditions affecting the sinuses, spine, neck, ear, and teeth.

I know it seems complicated and for most people they don’t really care what kind of headache they have, they just want it gone.  So…

How do I get rid of them pesky headaches?

The NIH suggests, when headaches occur ≥3 times a month, that “… preventive treatment is usually recommended.” Certainly, in some cases, medication may be indicated but only after ruling out a more serious condition and after exhausting less invasive treatments that carry fewer side effects.

The American Chiropractic Association recommends: 1) avoid long time periods of staying in one position (computer, sewing machine, reading, etc.) and take stretching/neck range of motion exercise breaks every ½ to 1 hour; 2) Exercise – walking, low impact aerobics; 3) Avoid teeth clenching (due to straining the temporomandibular – TMJ, or jaw joint); 4) Drink lots of water – stay hydrated.

Chiropractic care may include spinal adjustments, nutritional advice (dietary suggestions, vitamin/mineral options such as a B complex), exercise, posture retraining, and relaxation techniques.  But What if chiropractic doesn’t work?

Sometimes, the problem is more serious.   Visit your MD if you’re getting more than 3 a week.   But there may be another cause-

Your headaches may be caused by a bulging or herniated disc in your neck.   The good news is that treatment options exist that don’t require surgery.

The DRX9000C true spinal decompression machine is used for the treatment of bulging/herniated discs in the neck and low back.  For more information just give our office a call and we can what kind of treatment relief is necessary to get you back to a normal healthy life ASAP!

This information is solely advisory, and should not be substituted for medical or chiropractic advice. Any and all health care concerns, decisions, and actions must be done through the advice and counsel of a health care professional who is familiar with your updated medical history.

Here’s a break-down of what occurs in the first 200 msec of a 5 mph rear-end collision:

0 msec: At the moment of impact, the car seat just begins to move and the occupant has not yet been accelerated forward.

50 msec: As the back of the car seat pushes the torso forward, the spine moves forward, resulting in a straightening of the thoracic and cervical spine.  This rapid bending in just a few joints can result in ligament damage in the lower spine.

75 msec: This difference in motion between the neck and torso results in an S-shaped curve, where nearly all of the bending in the cervical spine takes place in the lower cervical spine.  Such rapid bending in just a few joints can result in ligament damage in the lower spine.

150 msec: At this point, the torso has been pulled so far forward on the lower neck that the head is forced backwards, often over the headrestraint.  Depending on the position of the headrest, the angle of the seat back, and the “spring” effect of the seatback, the ligaments in the front portion of the spine are often injured during this phase of the collision.  About 3-4 G’s are exerted on the shoulders.

200 msec: Finally, the force of the car seat throws the head and torso forward.  Here, 5 G’s are exerted on the head and neck as it whips forward.

Symptoms occurring from such a seemingly mild accident can have catastrophic consequences.  The primary symptom is neck or upper back pain that may develop immediately or be delayed days, weeks, and sometimes months.  A partial list of possible symptoms (each injured person’s symptoms are different and differ in intensity) include:  muscles spasms, loss of movement, headache, dizziness, concentration &/or memory loss, difficulty swallowing, chewing &/or hoarseness, burning or tingling, shoulder/arm/hand radiating pain, and more.  After an accident, no matter how mild, you should be seen by a qualified health professional to determine the extent of injury.

The treatment of whiplash varies from “watchful waiting” to a multidisciplinary team approach that includes neurology, physical therapy, chiropractic, non-surgical spinal decompression, psychology, and possibly surgery (rare).  In a recent article published in the American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (2009, March Vol. 88, No. 3, pp 231-8), the relationship between clinical, psychological and functional health status factors was investigated in a group of patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorder (WAD).  A total of 86 patients with chronic WAD participated in the study and outcomes were tracked using questionnaires that measure pain, disability and psychological issues including depression, anxiety and catastrophizing.  Physical examination factors included measuring the cervical range of motion.  An analysis of the degree of neck disability and the relative contribution of physical vs. psychological factors revealed catastrophizing and depression played greater roles than did cervical range of motion.  This suggests psychological factors play an important role in the outcome of whiplash.

More than just the physical factors like range of motion should be focused on when treating chronic whiplash patients.  Answering the patient’s questions, explaining the mechanism of injury and how that relates to their specific condition, and addressing depression, anxiety, coping, and other psychological issues is very important. Discussing treatment goals with patients is also very important.  For example, making light of the injury by stating something like, “…you’ll be fine after the treatments,” may harm the patient as anything short of “fine” may be interpreted as failed treatment by the patient.  It is also important not to paint too dismal of a picture as that can have negative psychological effects as well, as this may suggest that they will never improve.

Explaining the difference between “hurt” and “harm” is of great value to the chronic whiplash patient as she is often told, “if it hurts, don’t do it.”  This sends an unfortunate message to the patient that any activity where an increase in pain occurs is “bad” when in fact, that activity may help the patient get better in the long run.  This can make or break an acceptable outcome as many may feel like they shouldn’t do anything and this can lead to unemployment, boredom, and the many psychological issues previously described.

The best advice is to remain active and try to ignore discomfort by staying within “reasonable activity boundaries.” Reasonable activity tolerance is learned as time passes and trying different activities for different lengths of time.  This type of coaching should be at the center of chronic whiplash management rather than over focusing on physical factors such as range of motion.

If you, a loved one, or a friend is struggling with whiplash residuals from a motor vehicle collision, you can depend on receiving a multi-dimensional chiropractic assessment and therapeutic approach at this office. We sincerely appreciate your confidence in choosing our office for your health care needs.  Call 519-988-0220 right now to book an appointment and end your suffering!

Your doctor tells you that you have something called Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.  He explains that nerves in your wrists are being pinched and that’s what’s causing all the pain.

Then he tells you to go exercise and gives you wrist splints to wear.  Not only are the splints uncomfortable, after two weeks the pain gets worse and the exercises do nothing to make you better.

So you go back to your doctor and he tells you what you don’t want to hear: you need surgery.

This is a common story.  Only it isn’t one that will make you feel good.  It doesn’t have a happy ending.  In most cases the surgery doesn’t work.  And there’s a good reason for it…

In fact, there are several reasons.  For starters, carpal tunnel can be tricky.   And there is an often-overlooked condition… doctors often miss… that causes carpal tunnel symptoms.

Allow me to explain: As you probably know, carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when a nerve gets pinched in your wrist.

The nerve is the median nerve, and it passes through a tunnel in your wrist called the carpal tunnel and then goes to 3 of your fingers.  For one of many reasons the nerve can get “pinched” as it passed through this tunnel and cause wrist pain, hand pain and tingling and numbness to the fingers the median nerve goes to.

When carpal tunnel release surgery is performed, the surgeon cuts a ligament that serves as the roof of the carpal tunnel.  This is an attempt to give the median nerve more room… or… “unpinch” it.

There are several problems with this surgery.  The first is: When the ligament is cut, it obviously causes trauma to the body.  This causes swelling.  Swelling decreases the size of the carpal tunnel and is a cause of carpal tunnel syndrome.

If you have ever sprained your angle, you know how bad swelling can be.  Now imagine cutting into your wrist and having it swell around the tunnel and squeezing the nerve.

Another problem with surgery is scar tissue.  After the surgery, your body heals the area with scar tissue.  This can decrease the size of the tunnel and pinch the nerve.

And the third problem is a BIGGY.  But it also leads to a possible solution.  And here’s what it is: That third problem is that the carpal tunnel symptoms may not be caused in the wrist!

How can that be?

Here’s How It Works And
How You Can Possibly Get Relief:

Your median nerve originates in your neck and then travels down your arm, through the carpal tunnel and into your fingers.

So what?  Well, research has discovered something pretty amazing.  As your nerve goes from your neck to your fingers, it passes by three (3) spots that can “pinch” or interfere with  it BEFORE it gets to your wrist!  And if your nerve is getting “pinched” by any one of these spots, it can cause the EXACT SAME or very similar symptoms as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Here’s where it get’s good for you: If you take the pressure from one of the other 3 spots off your nerve, many times some or all of the symptoms in your hand will go away!

And check this out, it’s important: This is true even if you have a positive nerve conduction velocity (NCV) test.  How?  This is because, in some cases, the pressure that occurs in the carpal tunnel alone is not enough to cause your pain and symptoms.  IT IS THE COMBINATION OF THE OTHER SPOTS WITH THE WRIST PRESSURE THAT CAUSES THE PROBLEM.  So, if we remove the pressure from one of the others spots…

Your Symptoms Can Go Away
Without Ever Touching Your Wrist!

Remember when I said this story doesn’t have a happy ending?  Well, I lied.  With the proper knowledge of anatomy and physiology and technology carpal tunnel operations can be avoided.  That means no risk of infection, swelling or scar tissue formation.

Imagine A Life Without
Carpal Tunnel Pain…

Wouldn’t it be wonderful (and a huge relief) to finally end your pain and suffering without having to resort to risky surgery?

Just imagine being able to go to bed without pain… and wake up without pain… and do all the things you’ve always wanted to do – but were stopped because of pain.

Finally being pain-free opens up a whole new world to you.  A world where you can focus on the important things, like your family, your career, and your hobbies – and really be happy.

On the contrary, not solving your carpal tunnel and living in pain imprisons you to a live of misery.  A life where you cannot do the things you’ve always dreamt about.  You cannot succeed in all the things you know you are capable of.  Your dreams die and you cannot be happy.  That’s why this is so important – because those who do not suffer with carpal tunnel simply do not understand what you are going through and how it affects every aspect of your life.

How To Find Out If Your Carpal Tunnel
Can Be Solved For FREE…

It’s a shame.  Most of the carpal tunnel patients we have been able to help have already been to many doctors and tried countless “solutions” without any results.  For that reason, you may be skeptical.  And we don’t blame you.

That’s why we would like to give you an opportunity to check out our Carpal tunnel symptom treatments and wonderful cutting-edge technology for free.  That way you can see if we can help you and if it is for you without any risk or obligation.

Here’s what to do right now: If you are a carpal tunnel sufferer and would like to see if our technology and treatments can get you out of pain like it has already done for hundreds of others… just give us a call at 519-988-0220 Tracy will answer the phone, and when she does tell her that you want a “Carpal Tunnel Solution Evaluation.”  You’ll be booked for our next available appointment.