Post-traumatic Headache and Migraine or Tension Headache – What’s The Difference?
November 3, 2009 by dean · Leave a Comment
Research showed post concussion headache sufferers had neck disorders
In a recent study of 348 patients who had experienced concussion it was found that ongoing headache after 3 months was not caused by head or brain injury – but resembled Tension Headache or migraine possibly brought on by stress.1
Other research has shown sufferers of headache following concussion have significant disorders of their upper necks.2
These studies along with surveys which show that post-traumatic headache can be classified as either migraine or tension-type headache3-5 suggest that the underlying mechanism of migraine or tension headache is a neck disorder/injury.
Just more evidence indicating that neck disorders are likely to be the source of not only post-traumatic headache but also migraine and tension-type headache.
Cheers
Dean
(5. De Benedittis G, De Santis A. Chronic post-traumatic headache: clinical, psychopathological features and outcome determinants. J Neurosug Sci 1983;27(3):177-186
3. Haas DC. Chronic post-traumatic headaches classified and compared with natural headaches. Cephalalgia 1996;16:486-93
1. Stovnera L, Schradera L, Mickeviciene D, Surkienec D, Sand T. Headache after concussion. Eur J Neurol. 2009;16:112-120.
2. Treleaven J, Jull G, Atkinson L. Cervical musculoskeletal dysfunction in post-concussional headache. Cephalalgia 1994;14:273-9
4. Weiss HD, Stern BJ, Goldberg J. Post-traumatic migraine: chronic migraine precipitated by minor head or neck trauma. Headache 1991;31(7):451-456)
© 2009 & Beyond. Watson Headache Institute, All Rights Reserved.
Physicians’ Communication With Migraine Patients
November 2, 2009 by dean · Leave a Comment
At last some research which investigates whether patients’ questions are being adequately heard.
The authors looked at the most commonly asked question “What causes migraine?” and asked 30 neurologists and migraine specialists for their explanations. Four were selected and edited and then given to 100 migraine sufferers.
The neurologists rated the importance of “It is important to provide patients explanations of what causes migraine?” at 4.3 (5= strongly agree); the patients rated “How important is it for physician to provide you with an explanation of what causes migraine?” as 4.7 (5=strongly agree).
Of the explanations put to the patients, most (56) preferred the longest (245 words) and the least (4) choosing the shortest (25 words).
These responses confirm that an understanding of the migraine process is important and that a detailed response is what is preferred.
Unfortunately what is being demonstrated through research is not being explained in the clinical situation – to you the headache or migraine sufferer; my goal is to relate the latest research findings in non medical terms, what they mean … and in a balanced way.
Knowledge is self-empowering – armed with knowledge you are then in a position to make well-informed decisions.
Cheers
Dean
(Randolph W. Evans, MD; Rochelle E. Evans, MA .What Causes Migraine: Which Physician Explanation Do Patients Prefer and Understand? Headache 2009;49:1536-1540)
© 2009 & Beyond. Watson Headache Institute, All Rights Reserved.
Level I Headache and Migraine Course in Cambridge
November 1, 2009 by dean · Leave a Comment
Level I Course Cambridge, England
I have been presenting Level I courses in Cambridge for the past 3 years and it has been a popular venue – not only for physiotherapists in the UK but also physiotherapists from the continent.
A couple of years ago a physiotherapist came from Spain, however this year over half of the course delegates on the Level I course were from various countries including Belgium, Italy, Greece and Portugal.
This of course is pleasing, not only do headache and migraine sufferers in these countries now have another (drug-free) option, but also other opportunities which provide further support to physiotherapists in these countries who have a desire to treat headache and migraine – I am now not only presenting in Spain regularly, but also have been invited to present at a national conference in Spain and to present courses in Greece and Portugal.
Cheers
Dean
© 2009 & Beyond. Watson Headache Institute, All Rights Reserved.