Last updated 27/12/2023 by The pain clinics - Interdisciplinary Health

Chronic Headaches And Neck Pain: What Can Relieve Pain?

Reader questions about chronic headaches and prolonged neck pain from readers who have tried physical therapist, chiropractor and manual therapist with little effect. What can relieve the pain? A good question, the answer is that we would like to try to help you with that, but considering that you have had little effect from conservative treatment, exercise and medication - then we must emphasize that it can be difficult to come to an effective solution on your problem, but that we will try to help you further in the investigation process. Feel free to get in touch via our Facebook Page if you have any questions or input.

We recommend that anyone interested in this topic read the main articles: - Headache og sore throat (neck pain)

Read: - Review article: Headache

Recommended Literature: The Migraine Relief Diet (We have received good feedback on this book from people suffering from chronic headaches and migraines - recommended)

Here is the question a female reader asked us and our answer to this question:

Female (37 years): I have cervical headaches (neck-related headaches) almost every day, all the time. I exercise 4 times a week, do not drink coffee, sleep an average of 8 hours every night, stay at home without stress, drink LOTS of water, and am abstinent. I have EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome) / HMS (hypermobility syndrome), and no chiropractor wants to look at me that much. Have been to many. Has Tramadol + Paracet as an acute pain relief. Tips? Have heard of Botox injected into the neck, but also heard that someone can get worse from it. Taken X-ray and MRI of neck, lying only. Is there anyone in Norway who takes a standing MRI? I must add that I had a riding accident where I hit myself hard in the neck / back transition a few years ago, hence X-rays and MRI. The quality of life is greatly impaired by this, and has been for many years now. Is 43 years old. Help….?

Reply:  Regarding your headache - which you feel is cervicogenic, ie neck related.

1) How would you describe your headache when you get this? And where is it located?

2) How long can the headaches last? Or is it more or less constant?

3) Regarding Botox injection, you can get worse from this by incorrect injection or muscle loss (atrophy) - so it is of course more desirable to try more conservative treatment before going to that measure. What conservative, physical therapy methods have you tried and if so, how many treatments?

4) You mention that you have taken both x-ray and MRI examination of the neck. Could you please write (literally) what it says under R: (result) on these MRI reports?

5) Regarding driving accident. When was this one? And did you faint in the fall? Were you wearing a helmet?

6) You mention that the problem has been going on for many years. How many years? And was it good before this?

7) With such a long-term headache problem - has an MRI caput or cerebrum been taken? So MRI examination of the head?

Sincerely,
Alexander v / Vondt.net

Female (37 years): Thanks for reply! I have a doctor's appointment on Tuesday, and will ask for a printout of the results of X-ray and MRI then. Will come back with answers when I get it. Else:

1. The headache extends from the neck, via the muscle attachments on the skull, over the ears and over the eyes. Burning, stinging sensation, even in the area between the forehead and forehead. The eyes. Both-sided, rarely one-sided. Often starts acutely, not insidiously. Occasionally a kind of "bubble wrap" just under the skin over the ears and in the middle of the head. This then with increased pain.

2. The headache is more or less constant, but in a milder form. The headache I explain in section 1 is the type of acute headache. It comes without warning. 3-4 times a week maybe.

3. I have been with: -physiotherapist: training and strengthening of muscles (I still have this side, about 4 times a week at the gym), acupuncture with and without electricity, massage. Surely 40-50 treatments. -Chiropractor: breaking up and exercises. About 20 times. -Manual Therapist: He would not take me, but set acupuncture for pain relief. Went with one time. Otherwise, I've tried some myself, but with a focus on pain relief. Be it creams and ointments with pain-relieving effect, to make the muscles relax, pool training (joined once, when I got terribly much worse for many days), exercises and stretches, etc.

5. Wearing a helmet, did not faint. Was riding the horse when the horse got scared and ran out, and fell off on an ice swell. Was in bed for 3 days. This was little Christmas Eve 10 years ago. Was not with a doctor as we do not have an emergency room.

6. The last 6 years I have had such "seizures", but they come gradually more often, and after pregnancy and birth 3 years ago, uncomplicated otherwise, it has only increased in intensity. Can not remember having had more than "normal" with headaches before.

7. Have not taken MR caput or cerebrum as I know, but I should ask the GP for safety. Just in case it should have something to say, I have irritable bowel syndrome, restless legs syndrome and have had a lower back prolapse (15 years ago). I really appreciate any help.

Reply: Okay, considering that this has been such a long-term headache problem, it is wise to have an MRI caput to rule out any pathological diagnoses and the like. This is also emphasized by having completed extensive conservative treatment with physiotherapist, chiropractor, manual therapist ++ without much effect. Give us a feedback when you have received an answer from the MRI survey. Most likely, it is training (eg off neck and shoulders) which is the way forward, but due to long history it is safest to be on the safe side. Good luck and good recovery. You can also try the following advice and tips for headaches. Yoga, acupuncture, meditation and the like can be other good measures.

Sincerely,
Alexander v / Vondt.net

Also read: - 7 Exercises against Sore Neck

Female (37 years): Thank you very much for your feedback and exercises. These should be tried out. Gives feedback when I have received an answer from a GP regarding a possible MRI examination / further investigation of the headache.

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Also read: What You Should Know About Prolapse of the Neck

Also read: - Pressure wave treatment

Did you know: - Cold treatment can give pain relief to sore joints and muscles? Blue. Biofreeze (you can order it here), which consists mainly of natural products, is a popular product. Contact us today via our Facebook page if you have questions or need recommendations.

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