Headache, Migraine and Depression
November 30, 2009 by dean · Leave a Comment
It is of no surprise to me that a recent survey showed that headache sufferers were almost 3 times as likely to be depressed than non headache sufferers but who had other issues in their lives.
Let’s consider the lot of a headache sufferer:
little is known about what causes headache or migraine
headache sufferers either experience constant or near constant pain or severe pain
the only management appears to be medication which at best relieves the pain, but doesn’t change the cause (because the cause is unknown)
the doctor is despairing (because he or she doesn’t know what to do next)
Arguably the aforementioned points are more significant than some other issues(?) ….. not much hope is there?
Actually there is … it is amazing that, when after examination of the upper neck reveals the source of headache or migraine symptoms, ‘depression’ lifts – just knowing where the headache comes from leads to significant improvement in one’s outlook.
Cheers
Dean
(Marlow RA, Kegowicz CL, Starkey KN. Prevalence of depression symptoms in outpatients with a complaint of headache. J Am Board Fam Med 2009 Nov-Dec(6):602-3)
© 2009 & Beyond. Watson Headache Institute, All Rights Reserved.
Migraine and Dizziness
November 29, 2009 by dean · Leave a Comment
Dizziness is a symptom that many headache and migraine sufferers experience
Are migraine and dizziness different presentations of a common disorder?
Some patients of mine have presented with dizziness as their only symptom and whilst they are are grateful they do not have to endure the awful pain of migraine or headache, significant dizziness can be disabling …. and of course dizziness is another symptom that many of my headache and migraine patients experience.
Many of those patients in whom dizziness was as the only symptom have responded to mobilisation of the upper three spinal segments (particularly C2-3 – the segment formed by the second and third vertebrae) – the same segments which have the potential to (and I believe do) sensitise the brainstem in migraine and headache conditions.
So I am not surprised by the recent findings of Japanese researchers which indicates that migraine- associated vertigo (dizziness) and Meniere’s Disease share a common condition.
Just as in migraine (I don’t know why!), the cause of Meniere’s Disease is unknown (and controversial) – could it be that the Meniere’s condition arises from a senstised brainstem?
….. all I know it is worthwhile seeking a skilled examination of your neck!
Cheers
Dean
(Murofushi T, Ozeki H, Inoue A, Sakata A. Does migraine-associated vertigo share a common pathophysiology with Meniere’s disease? Study with vestibular-evoked myogenic potential. Cephalalgia 2009;29:1259-1266)
© 2009 & Beyond. Watson Headache Institute, All Rights Reserved.
Watson Headache and Migraine Courses are Presented Internationally
November 28, 2009 by dean · Leave a Comment
I have been presenting Level I and II courses internationally for over 10 years now. This has included New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Norway, Spain, Belgium, The Netherlands, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Ireland and the UK.
I am working on courses in Portugal and Greece in 2010.
Hopefully this means a practitioner close to you!
Cheers
Dean
© 2009 & Beyond. Watson Headache Institute, All Rights Reserved.
The Brainstem
November 27, 2009 by dean · Leave a Comment
Blood Vessels - The Arteries and Veins of the Brain and Neck
I have mentioned the brainstem on a number of occasions.
But what is the brainstem?
The brainstem is an area at the top of the spinal cord, which receives input from (activity of) structures inside the head (including blood vessels) and also from structures of the upper neck (ligaments, joints and the capsules, and muscles) which are supplied by the top three spinal nerves.
The brainstem is also influenced by serotonin and a system known as the Diffuse Noxious Inhibitory Control system . Now all information or activity in relation to headache, head pain and migraine, passes through the brainstem to the higher brain centres where it is interpreted, where the decisions are made!
The Brainstem is the final common pathway for all headache and migraine information. It is to headache what the black box is to the airplane.
Cheers
Dean
© 2009 & Beyond. Watson Headache Institute, All Rights Reserved.
Hemicrania Continua and Cluster Headache
November 25, 2009 by dean · Leave a Comment
One sided headache is likely to respond to neck treatment
Are They Related to Cervicogenic Headache?
A diagnosis of Hemicrania Continua just means you have constant pain on one side of your head (just like Cluster Headache) and shares other similar symptoms with Cluster Headache.
Cervicogenic (neck-related) headache, according to the medical model of headache and migraine, is also a one sided headache.
Research shows that Cluster Headache can be relieved by treating the neck and therefore because of the similarity of Hemicrania Continua to Cluster Headache, Hemicrania Continua.
To review the list of posts related to Hemicrania Continua go to the ‘Home Page’ and you can key in ‘ Hemicrania Continua’.
Cheers
Dean
© 2009 & Beyond. Watson Headache Institute, All Rights Reserved.
Headache and Migraine Definitions
November 24, 2009 by dean · Leave a Comment
Whilst keeping you informed of the latest research I have used the following terms:
Headache, Migraine, Migraine with aura, Migraine without aura, Tension-type headache, Cluster headache, Paroxysmal Hemicrania, SUNCT, Hemicrania Continua, Cervicogenic headache, Post-Traumatic headache, Menstrual Migraine, Sinus headache, Migraine Episodes, Signs of Pain, Frequency of Pain, Severity of Pain, Symptoms of Pain, Medical Literature, Spinal Segment, Intervertebral Segment, Intervertebral Artery, Triptans, Differential Diagnosis, Abnormal Activity, Brainstem Sensitisation, Headache Continuum, Secondary Headache, Occipital Nerve, Primary Headache, Photophobia, Phonophobia and Osmophobia.
In my experience people who suffer from headache or migraine aree knowledgeable about their pain. However a significant proportion of people suffer in silence and often do not seek treatment or have the resources to do so.
Should you have any questions or comments that you wish to pose or make about any of the terms used please do so.
Cheers
Dean
© 2009 & Beyond. Watson Headache Institute, All Rights Reserved.
Demystifying Migraine
November 23, 2009 by dean · Leave a Comment
The migraine debate
Debate as gone on for decades as to whether migraine with aura and migraine without aura are different conditions or just different expressions of the same condition.
Research suggests that they are different expressions of the same condition and that migraine is not about the blood vessels.
My previous posts can be viewed by going to the ‘Home Page’ and keying in ‘Migraine’ to view a list of posts that talk about ‘Migraine’.
Cheers Dean
© 2009 & Beyond. Watson Headache Institute, All Rights Reserved.
The Advanced Level II Watson Headache and Migraine Courses
November 22, 2009 by dean · Leave a Comment
After delegates have completed the Level I course and at least 6 months experience using the approach, they can then apply to participate in the Level II Advanced course titled:
“The Role of CO-C3 Segmental Dysfunction in Primary Headache – Level II”
or the less formal title
“OK – so I have found the segments involved – what next?”
This is a one day course at which delegates have the opportunity to raise questions or discuss issues they have had in the previous 6 months. We also revise the examination techniques and discuss their use more as treatment techniques. I also examine a headache or migraine sufferer.
These days are very intensive and often go on beyond the scheduled conclusion time because the delegates are excited about the difference they have made to their headache and migraine patients!
I have now been approached to organise longer courses ….. more of that later!
Cheers
Dean
© 2009 & Beyond. Watson Headache Institute, All Rights Reserved.
Post-traumatic Headache
November 21, 2009 by dean · Leave a Comment
Neck disorders can be responsible for headache
Whiplash or post-traumatic headache for some reason seems to be a controversial headache – perhaps because the only explanation for it might be that it results from a neck injury – and there is reluctance by some authorities to accept that neck disorders can be responsible for headache (especially given that post-traumatic or whiplash associated headache presents just like a migraine or tension-type headache?)
To review my previous posts on post-traumatic or whiplash associated headache. Please go to the ‘Home Page’ and key in either ‘Post-Traumatic Headache’ or ‘Whiplash Headache’.
Cheers Dean
© 2009 & Beyond. Watson Headache Institute, All Rights Reserved.
Chronic Paroxysmal Headache and Cluster Headache
November 20, 2009 by dean · Leave a Comment
Just because Chronic Paroxysmal Headache responds the non steroidal anti inflammatory medication and Cluster Headache does not, is no reason to consider it to be no more than just a different expression of the same condition.
To review my posts on Chronic Paroxysmal Headache refer to the ‘Home Page’ and key in ‘Chronic Paroxysmal Headache’ to view the list.
Cheers
Dean
© 2009 & Beyond. Watson Headache Institute, All Rights Reserved.