Diagnosing Headache and Migraine From Symptoms is Complex

Diagnosing headache and migraine is complex primarily because of overlapping symptoms (which once again suggests that there is a common mechanism involved in headache and migraine), leading to misdiagnosis.

In a recent trial, four females with a diagnosis of migraine, and in whom migraine therapies had not any substantial effect, were found to have significant signs of cervical (neck) involvement. After anaesthetising (numbing) the occipital nerve with a local anaesthetic, which prevents information from selected neck structures entering the brainstem, all four patients achieved either complete or substantial relief for up to 2 months.

The authors concluded that at least some migraine is misdiagnosed and is in fact a cervicogenic (neck-related) headache – this can be easily determined by a skilled examination of the upper cervical spine and temporarily reproducing familiar headache or migraine pain.

I have done this in the presence of international research organisations, respected researchers and headache and migraine authorities in Australia, Norway and the UK – this is what I teach on my courses in the UK and Europe.

Cheers

Dean

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