Because tension in the neck muscles causes myogenic headaches, your
chiropractor's main goal in caring for the condition is to reduce that tension.
To achieve this, he or she may use adjustments, trigger point therapy and
physiotherapeutic modalities, either alone or in combination.
During an adjustment, also known as spinal manipulative therapy, your
chiropractor will use his or her hands or a device called an activator to apply
a quick, strategic thrust to dysfunctional joints in your neck. This will take
muscle tissue through a relaxing stretch and stimulate nerves, which in turn
stimulate muscles to further relax. Studies show that such adjustments can help
reduce the duration and intensity of people's myogenic headaches.
In addition to adjustments, your chiropractor may choose to perform trigger
point therapy. As discussed in the Anatomy section, a trigger point or knot is a
portion of muscle that is in a state of contracture. In this state, muscle
fibers are shortened and tense, resulting in tight, painful nodules. Patients
with myogenic headaches experience these trigger points in their neck, but they
can refer (move) pain to the head.
To perform trigger point therapy, your chiropractor will press down on these
nodules, usually with his or her thumb, which separates the contracted muscle
fibers. When he or she releases the pressure, usually within 10 seconds, an
influx of fresh blood washes out irritants (like lactic acid) and brings in
oxygen, relieving pain and releasing the knot.
To further promote muscle health and reduce pain, your chiropractor may also
perform electrical therapies like interferential current (IFC) and
transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). These work by sending mild
electrical impulses through the skin into nerve fibers below, which stimulates
your body to produce endorphins, its natural painkillers. By aiming the impulses
at tight and strained areas around your neck, your chiropractor can help
interrupt the flow of pain signals from the affected tissues to the brain.
Electrical therapies also stimulate the nervous system, which increases blood
flow to the treated area, and help speed healing by a mechanism researchers
currently don't completely understand.
This can provide hours or even days of relief and is a painless procedure, as
it involves a low voltage current that only penetrates about one to two inches
below the skin. Some patients do experience a pins-and-needles sensation or a
buzzing, pulsating feeling. But electrical therapy is safe, and the only people
who should be concerned are those who have a heart condition or wear a
pacemaker, who should speak with their chiropractor before receiving care.
While all these chiropractic techniques are helpful, they can't prevent
myogenic headaches unless you make appropriate lifestyle changes. Some studies
suggest that stress is a major contributing factor to myogenic headaches. If
your chiropractor finds that you are under stress, he or she will probably
recommend stress-reducing activities to help you out. There is a wide range of
activities that can help, including yoga, massage therapy and deep-breathing
exercises. These facilitate relaxation by teaching you to regulate your
breathing and focus on stress-relieving stimuli.
More vigorous exercise is also helpful, as it promotes muscle health, reduces
stress and promotes well being. Aerobic, stretching and strengthening exercises
release tension and relax stiff muscles, helping release trigger points. By
performing aerobic exercise, you increase blood flow to the muscles, which
washes away chemical irritants. By stretching, you can literally pull apart
tense muscle fibers that are contracted. By strategically strengthening muscles,
you can help balance the load each muscle is carrying and prevent any one muscle
from becoming overworked and therefore prone to injury.
While ultimately a healthier lifestyle will help you avoid headaches, they
may not go away right away. If these are severe, your chiropractor may refer you
to your medical doctor for comanagement, which may include the prescription of
pain-relieving or anti-inflammatory drugs.
But remember that these drugs only address the symptoms of myogenic
headaches, not the cause. Lifestyle changes combined with chiropractic care like
adjustments, trigger point therapy and electrical therapy, on the other hand,
will promote muscle health, ease your pain and help prevent future
headaches.
