Is Your Migraine From Your Neck?
August 1, 2009 by dean · Leave a Comment
Many clinicians have demonstrated that blocking or ‘numbing’ of the greater occipital nerve provides substantial relief from ‘migraine’ in many patients. Researchers have confirmed this experience. Whilst this approach is not available to everyone it does confirm that cervicogenic disorders can be responsible for ‘migraine‘.
OK so a neck disorder has been confirmed – what happens once the anaesthetic has worn off though? A skilled examination of the neck and appropriate treatment often means that ongoing injections will not be necessary (and anyway the number you can have is limited).
However it is not necessary for a nerve block in the first place – an assessment by competent clinicians can confirm or eliminate a neck disorder as the source of symptoms.
Cheers
Dean
(Akin Takmaz, S. et al Greater occipital nerve block in migraine headache: Preliminary results of 10 patients. Agri 2008 Jan;20(1):47-50
Jull G, Bogduk N, Marsland A. The accuracy of manual diagnosis for cervical zygapophyseal joint pain syndromes. Med J Aust. 1988 Mar 7;148(5):233-6
Rozen T. Cessation of hemiplegic migraine auras with greater occipital nerve blockade. Headache 2007;47:917-928
Takmaz, S. et al Greater occipital nerve block in migraine headache: Preliminary results of 10 patients. Agri 2008 Jan;20(1):47-50
Young et al Greater occipital nerve and other anesthetic injections for primary headache disorders. Headache 2008;48:1122-1125
Young et al. The first 5 minutes after greater occipital nerve block. Headache 2008;48:1126-1139
Yi X et al Cervicogenic headache in patients with presumed migraine: missed diagnosis or misdiagnosis? J Pain. 2005 Oct;6(10):700-3)
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