Headaches from the Neck
For headaches sufferers, repeated or chronic headaches can make their life very difficult. Headache pain can prevent them from being able to work or from leading a fulfilling life. For some the pain can almost be unbearable. Recent discoveries have proven that headaches can originate in the neck (cervicogenic headache). This means headache patients who have suffered can now have hope that there are new treatments available which can help them.
Shedding Light - Low Level Laser Therapy - On Headaches
By Dr. Larry Lytle, DDS, Ph.D.
The Problem - Headaches
Headaches affect over 200 million people in the U.S. during each year, and nearly 90% of men and 95% of women have had at least one headache. Twenty million Americans see their doctors each year because of headaches.
There are two main types of headaches, primary and secondary. Primary include tension-type, migraine, and cluster headaches and are not caused by other underlying medical conditions. More than 90% of headaches are primary. Secondary headaches result from other medical conditions, such as infection or increased pressure in the skull due to accidents or tumors. These account for fewer than 10% of all headaches.
Migraine headaches are less common than tension headaches. Even though less common, migraines still afflict 20 to 30 million people in the United States. Roughly three out of four migraine sufferers are female. Among the most distinguishing features of a migraine is the potential disability accompanying the headache. Migraines are felt on one side of the head by about 60% of sufferers, and the pain is typically throbbing in nature. Additional effects of migraine headaches can include nausea with or without vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound.
There are various other classifications and several sub-classification of headaches, such as cluster headaches and rebound headaches. Rebound headaches are actually a reaction of prescription or non-prescription pain relievers and, as the last dose wears of, the victim takes more and more pills, creating a vicious pain circle.
What Causes Headaches?
Many things or conditions may trigger a headache such as stress, certain foods, odors, menstrual periods, emotional factors such as depression, anxiety, frustration, letdown, and even pleasant excitement such as a holiday, may be associated with developing a headache. Even changes in weather are among the many factors that are said to cause headaches.
Standard Remedies
Most people with headaches resort to self-care, using nonprescription pain relievers to treat their symptoms. Over the counter non-prescription drugs are a multi billion dollar industry in the United States. Store shelves hold a remarkable array of pain relievers and the drug industry resorts to all types of advertisements to convince the headache/pain victim that their products are the best.
Any over-the-counter pain medication like aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium or acetaminophen should be used very carefully. No one medication has ever been proven more effective than the other, though there is great variability in effectiveness from person to person. There is no difference in composition or effectiveness between migraine-formula over-the-counter preparations and their non-migraine brand names, other than the higher cost of the migraine-formula brands. Narcotics such as codeine and Demerol are generally not useful for treating headache and should not be prescribed for that purpose.
Non-Prescription Pain Relievers Can Increase The Likelihood of Headaches
What is misunderstood by the public is that the drugs recommended for treating headaches not only cause reoccurring headaches but cause more serious problems, such as liver and kidney damage, as well as ulcers. Many headaches are reactions to other over the counter or prescription drugs or combinations of drugs.
In orthodox medicine, when the cause of reoccurring headaches is not readily diagnosed, then it is said to be "psychological". As in the case with other medical disorders, psychological factors have been overemphasized as causes of headaches.
Wow! All this diagnosis and classification is enough to give anyone a headache. As with most medicine, the area of headaches is strong on diagnosis and short on the "cure".
A Better Solution - Low Level Laser Therapy & Life Style Changes
To prevent headaches, it makes good sense to practice a life style including adequate sleep, healthy diet, regular exercise and good stress management. Quitting smoking is essential in reducing the risks for all headaches.
Relaxation and related stress reduction therapies can diminish the frequency and intensity of headaches. Alternative therapies used for headache management include hypnosis, biofeedback, meditation, visualization, guided imagery, acupuncture, acupressure, yoga and other physical relaxation exercises.
Most headaches can be relieved in less than 3 minutes using
low level laser therapy
The word "laser" is an acronym for Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation. The theory was first described by Albert Einstein (1879-1955) who paved the way for the development of the therapeutic laser.
The first low-level therapeutic laser was developed in 1962. By the end of the 1960's, Endre Mester in Hungary was reporting an improved healing of wounds through low-level laser radiation. Since then, scientists and doctors around the world have been using laser light to treat conditions that can affect all age groups.
High Power vs. Low Power Medical Lasers
There are two types of medical laser: high power and low power. High power lasers are used to cut through tissue. Low-level lasers, on the other hand, are used to stimulate tissue repair through a process of bio-stimulation.
What is Low Level Laser Therapy?
Low-level laser therapy is the application of red and near infrared light over injuries or wounds to improve soft tissue healing and relieve both acute and chronic pain. Low-level therapy uses cold (subthermal) laser light energy to direct bio-stimulative light energy to the body's cells without injuring or damaging them in any way. The therapy is precise and accurate and offers safe and effective treatment for a wide variety of conditions. The energy range of low level laser light lies between 1 and 500 mW (milliwatts), while for surgical lasers the energy range lies between 3000 and 10000 mW. The Q-1000 we use is a 90 mW unit.
How Does Low Level Laser Therapy Work?
Low-level lasers supply energy to the body in the form of non-thermal photons of light. Light is transmitted through the skin's layers (the dermis, epidermis and the subcutaneous tissue or tissue fat under the skin) at all wavelengths in the visible range. However, light waves in the near infrared ranges penetrate the deepest of all light waves in the visible spectrum.
When low level laser light waves penetrate deeply into the skin, they optimize the immune responses of our blood. This has both anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. It is a scientific fact that light transmitted to the blood in this way has positive effective throughout the whole body, supplying vital oxygen and energy to every cell.
The Physiological Effects of Low Level Laser Therapy
1. Biostimulation
- Improved metabolism
- Increase of cell metabolism
2. Improved blood circulation and vasodilatation
3. Analgesic effect
4. Anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous effects
5. Stimulation of wound healing
How Does Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) Benefit Users?
1. Relieves acute and chronic pain
2. Increases the speed, quality and tensile strength of tissue repair
3. Increases blood supply
4. Stimulates the immune system
5. Stimulates nerve function
6. Develops collagen and muscle tissue
7. Helps generate new and healthy cells and tissue
8. Promotes faster wound healing and clot formation
9. Reduces inflammation
Low-level laser therapy does not require constant, ongoing treatments, as is often required with traditional chiropractic or physiotherapeutic remedies.
Is Low-Level Laser Therapy for You?
1. Do you suffer pain from an old or new sports injury or accident?
2. Do you suffer from repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome?
3. Do you suffer from lower back pain?
4. Do you suffer from migraine headaches?
5. Do you take pain medications more than three times a week?
6. Do you ever wake up in the night with pain?
7. Do you suffer from skin ulcers, bed or other pressure sores?
8. Do you suffer from acne or rosacea?
9. Do you have potential scarring from a recent surgery?
10. Do you suffer from herpes simplex (cold sores)?
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, low-level laser therapy may be for you.
Many acute and chronic conditions can be improved or eliminated with laser use, including:
Pain Relief Tennis Elbow
Wound Healing Golfer's Elbow
Arthritis TMJ
Migraine headaches Soft tissue injuries
Lower back pain Post-operative wounds
Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSI) Swelling
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) Burns
Tendonitis Pressure sores
Fibromyalgia Herpes simplex
Sprains and strains Acne
Post-operative pain
These are some of the things that others have say about the Low Light Laser therapy. Since we have been one of the first centers to use the Q-1000, we have also developed our own database of benefits. Perhaps the most important fact that we have found as a pragmatic clinician is the fact the LLLT seems to work when and where our previous therapies have failed. This is a great joy to any dedicated physician. Another great benefit of the Q-1000 is its portability. I can carry it in my pocket and treat a patient anywhere. Just try doing that with a diathermy or an Ultrasound machine.
Lastly, the LLLT works directly over the irritated or sore area. You can forget about looking or reflex or trigger spots, you just ask the patient where it hurts and go to work right there. All these attributes make it a joy for the busy doctor and the patients as well.
In our experience, we have had very few patients who have not received benefit from the Q-1000 and many have received truly outstanding help for conditions that had previously defied all other therapies.
The instructions that came with our unit include protocols for the following: healing of open wounds; dermatitis; eczema; lack of granulation tissue formation (thus retarding wound healing); overcoming and softening scar contusions; ruptures, atrophy and contractures; neuritis; neuralgia; nerve injuries; atrophy of nerves; paresis; paralysis; prolapsed disc disease; spondylitis; periostis; spondylosis; bone fractures and fissures; arthritis, both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis; arthrosis; strains and sprains; dislocations (following reduction); tendonitis; epicondylitis; tendon strains and contusions; tendon ruptures and following tendon surgery; hematoma; tissue infiltration of blood after blood taking or injection.
OFFICE HOURS
Mon - Weds - Fri
9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Tuesday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thurs & Sat
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Closed Sundays
CHIROPRACTIC FACTS
• There are 55,000 chiropractors in
practice in the United States
• 80% of Americans will suffer
incapacitating low back pain in
their lifetime
• 40% of Americans with back pain
lasting more than two weeks will
go to a chiropractor
• Patients with more education are
more likely to choose chiropractic.
• 6.8% of the population suffers
from back pain at any given time
• Chiropractors in the United States
saw over 13,000,000 new patients
last year
• 50% of work-related low back
injuries are reinjured within one year
• Federal agencies now recommend
chiropractic treatment over other
forms of medical care for acute low
back pain
• Last year 5,000,000 people
switched to chiropractic care after
a referral from a friend
• Chiropractic is the second largest
primary health care provider in the
western world
• Federal programs
Medicare/Medicaid, Government
Employees Hospital Association
Benefit Plan and Postmasters Benefit
Plan cover chiropractic
• There are 23 chiropractic colleges
throughout the world
• Chiropractic is twice as effective as
medical treatment in returning injured
workers to their job
• Chiropractic is the largest drug-free
healing profession in the
United States
Serving Torrance, Palos Verdes, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Harbor City
Wilmington, Gardena, Lawndale, Hawthorne, San Pedro
Low Level Laser Therapy Treatment for Headaches
Insurance PPO • HMO Provider • Free Consultation
310-212-7233 • Fax 310-212-7278
1727 Crenshaw Blvd • Torrance, CA 90501
Chiropractic Treatments for Common Problems
Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression
Are you suffering from chronic neck and lower back pain?
Treat neck pain, back pain and/or sciatica caused by:
• Bulging/Herniated Discs
• Degenerative Disc Disease
• Facet Syndrome
• Failed Back Surgery
Without the use of:
• Drugs
• Injections
• Surgery
Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression (NSSD) gently lengthens and decompresses the spine, creating negative pressures within the discs. This reversal of pressure creates an intradiscal vacuum than not only takes pressure off of pinched nerves, but helps to reposition bulging discs and pull extruded disc material back into place.
NSSD utilizes a sophisticated method of cycling the patient through a series of gentle pulls, holds and releases. The super-smooth transitions between each phase of therapy can make for an experience so relaxing that many often fall asleep.
Over a series of relaxing treatment sessions, patients experience powerful pain reduction and healing.Some notice an improvement in their symptoms after the first few treatments! Even post-surgical patients and those suffering from certain types of stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal causing nerve compression) have reported significant pain relief.
Whiplash Injuries and Neck Pain
Thousands of people are successfully treated every day with Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression. If you suffer chronic low back and/or neck pain, why wait? This may be the answer you're looking for!
Spinal Decompression Therapy
Autotrax Spinal Decompression gets to the cause of pain by gently taking pressure off the spinal discs and nerves, allowing them to heal naturally. Removing pressure not only allows the spinal discs to reposition themselves but also regain vital fluids which help them to become healthier.
The good news is, besides being a near pain free treatment, this is not a treatment you must do forever. Once the treatment plan outlined by your doctor is completed and maximum recovery has been obtained, you are done. Regular chiropractic visits can help keep you at your optimum health.
Effective
Decompression Therapy has many years of research and practice. It can benefit people who suffer from:
• Herniated discs
• Pinched nerves
• Headaches
• Whiplash
• Radiculopathy
• Low Back Pain
• Sciatica
Non-invasive
The Autotrax Spinal Decompression system is a simple, non-invasive way to release pinched nerves, muscle tension, cervical and spinal pain and other related problems.
There are no needles or drugs. Nothing that enters your body. Autotrax Spinal Decompression is a simple mechanical stretching of your spinal column. Autotrax Spinal Decompression is a safe alternative to surgery, nerve stimulators and addictive pain killers.
Spinal Decompression using the Autotrax Spinal Therapy system is a well tested, safe, non-invasive treatment for lumbar and cervical pain. We will perform a complete spinal evaluation to ensure that Autotrax Spinal Therapy is an appropriate treatment for your specific condition. Treatments are comfortable and done fully clothed. We will also include appropriate exercises and stretches which will safely help you regain your health and strength so you can get back to "life your way."
Triphasic Treatment
Decompression therapy has rapidly grown into one of the most popular low back and spinal treatments in the nation. Triphasic Treatment consists of three distinct and separate treatment methods that are greater as a whole, than the sum of their individuals segments.
Phase One:
Ten minute pretreatment of the condition with a specialized light therapy. This brief session of light therapy relaxes you, begins the healing process and presets the body for decompression therapy.
Phase Two:
Decompression treatment on the ATX table lasts for 20-30 minutes. ATX Decompression Therapy is vital for disc and joint health and is an affordable alternative to surgery.
Phase Three:
Post Decompression Rehabilitation. Phase Three usually begins after the halfway point in your treatment schedule. Your doctor will prescribe several exercise programs for you to continue with during and after your ATX treatment. These exercises will strengthen muscles, the core, and supportive tissues that affect your condition.
Sciatica
An all too common health complaint
The sciatic nerves are the largest (and longest) nerves of the body, reaching about the size of your thumb in diameter, and running down the back of each leg. When these nerves are irritated or affected by the inflammation of nearby soft tissues, doctors refer to this as sciatica.
One of the most common causes of sciatic leg pain is the Vertebral Subluxation Complex. It can be accompanied by the bulging or herniation of the soft pulpy discs which separate each spinal bone. This can irritate or put pressure on the sciatic nerve roots as they leave the spinal cord. The result can be an intense pain shooting down either or both legs.
In the past, treatment has involved pain medications, muscle relaxers, physical therapy, and even surgery. The chiropractic approach is to use carefully directed and controlled pressure to remove the interference from spinal structures. These chiropractic adjustments can be quite effective in reducing nerve irritation and its associated pain.
Sciatica, like other health problems that can be traced to the spine, often respond dramatically to the restoration of normal spinal function through conservative chiropractic care.
The largest nerves in the body
Pain is caused when the sciatic nerve roots are irritated, scraped, twisted, stretched or pinched as they exit the spine. Causes of the impairment may be chemical, physical or the emotional stress of everyday living. A full-blown sciatic flare-up can involve the entire sciatic nerve path resulting in symptoms of lower back pain, burning, cramping or numbness that radiates into the thighs, legs, ankles, feet and toes. Pain may also be limited to various points along the nerve, such as the buttocks, knee area and calf.
The chiropractic lifestyle
Chiropractors are experts in the care of the bones, nerves, muscles and connective tissues that make up about 60% of your body. All of the joints in your body are part of this musculo-skeletal system and its optimal function is necessary for overall good health. Ask Dr. Malkin for more information about a care program that may include specific spinal adjustments, exercise recommendations, nutritional advice or other conservative methods of care based on your health history, age, current condition and lifestyle.
Neck Pain
A common health complaint
Is it hard to to look over your shoulder? Is there a constant pulling or throbbing pain in your neck? Do you notice a “grinding” sound as you turn your head? Contact a Doctor of Chiropractic for a thorough history and examination.
A popular response to neck pain is taking drugs to cover up the problem (aspirin, analgesics, pain pills) or treating its symptoms (muscle relaxers, massage, hot packs). But neck pain isn’t caused by a lack of aspirin or drugs! The chiropractic approach to neck pain is to locate its underlying cause. This begins with a complete case history and thorough examination. Special attention is given to the structure and function of the spine, and its affect on the nervous system.
Is the proper spinal curve present? Are the nerve openings between each pair of spinal bones free and clear? Is the head balanced? Are the shoulders level? These and other considerations are used to create a plan of specific chiropractic adjustments to help improve the motion and position of spinal vertebrae.
With improved structure and function, neck pain often diminishes or totally disappears—without addictive drugs or harmful side effects!
One study, published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that patients who received chiropractic care reported significant improvement in their neck function and a reduction in their neck pain whereas those taking pain-killers did not.
Headaches
There are many types of headaches
A frequent and overlooked cause of headaches is the malfunction of spinal bones in the neck and upper back.
When bones of the spine lose their normal position or motion, sensitive nerves and blood vessels to the head can be affected. When spinal nerves and related tissues are stretched or irritated, they can produce throbbing headaches. Aspirin and medications may cover up these warning signs, but do not correct the underlying structural cause.
Many people experience correction and relief through chiropractic care
If a thorough examination reveals reduced range of motion, loss of normal spinal curves, or mechanical restrictions, chiropractic care should be considered. After a complete explanation, you’ll receive a care program designed for your unique spinal problem.
Specific chiropractic adjustments can help correct spinal joint dysfunction created by the various chemical, emotional and physical stresses in our lives.
Many patients report headache relief. Others find that the correction of their condition takes longer because their spinal problem has existed undetected for many years. Every patient responds differently. Benefit from the drug-free results millions have enjoyed by consulting a chiropractic doctor.
Drugs can cover up symptoms
Because headaches are so common, some people think that getting a headache is just a normal part of life! Headaches are a sign that something’s wrong. Stress, toxic fumes, certain foods, preservatives, and alcohol are common culprits.
Disc Problems
A disc doesn't "slip"
Since spinal discs have a very poor blood supply, they also depend upon the circulation of joint fluids to bring in nutrients and expel waste. If a spinal joint loses its normal motion and this pumping action is impaired, the health of the disc deteriorates. Like a wet sponge, a healthy disc is flexible. A dry sponge is hard, stiff, and can crack easily. This is how many disc problems begin.
Because of the way each disc is attached to the vertebra above and below it, a disc cannot “slip” as commonly thought. However, trauma or injury to the spine can cause discs to bulge, herniate, or worse, rupture. This can be quite painful, putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots, often interfering with their function.
The chiropractic approach to disc problems is to help restore better motion and position to the spinal joints. Besides reducing disc bulging, better spinal function helps decrease inflammation so the slow process of healing the surrounding soft tissues can begin.
While results cannot be guaranteed, many patients have avoided needless surgery or a dependency on pain pills by choosing conservative chiropractic care.
Because they are attached to vertebrae, discs do not slip, but they do tear, bulge, herniate, prolapse and dessicate.
DISC TEAR
The most common disc injury is a small crack or microtear in the tough, outer cartilage material of the disc called annular fibers. This allows the fluid to start leaking out, and the disc begins to wear thin.
BULGING DISC
The soft jelly-like material in the middle of the disc pushes to one side, forward or backward, and swelling occurs. The nucleus is still contained within the tough outer fibers of the disc, but can still cause pressure and painful symptoms.
HERNIATED DISC
The soft jelly-like material from the nucleus in the middle of the disc ruptures through the tough, outer fibers and extends to the outer edge or beyond the normal limits of the disc.
PROLAPSED DISC
A piece of disc material separates away and becomes a fragment or a free-floating piece.
DESSICATED DISC
The disc loses its fluid content and degenerates down to a rough, worn-down or worn-out appearance. This occurs as the bones begin to fuse to each other.
While the intervertebral disc is a common culprit in spine-related health problems, its function is widely misunderstood.
The disc is a small cartilage pad that is situated between spinal bones. The soft jelly-like center is contained by layers of fibrous tissues. Each disc serves as a connector, spacer, and shock absorber for the spine. When healthy, discs allow normal turning and bending.
Discs can bulge, herniate or rupture, resulting in other problems. Diagnostic imaging can reveal degenerative changes to the disc and surrounding tissues.
Whiplash
The tragic result of uncorrected trauma
Collisions that occur during sporting events, slips, falls or automobile crashes can all have a damaging effect on your neck and back. These types of collision-related injuries are often called a “whiplash.”
The resulting instability of the spine and soft tissues can contribute to headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, pain in the shoulders, arms and hands, reduced ability to turn and bend, and low back problems. As the body attempts to adapt, symptoms may not appear until weeks or even months later.
A common result of acceleration/deceleration injuries is the loss of the normal forward curve, causing chiropractic, orthopedic or neurological examination findings.
Occupants often suffer more than the car
Whiplash is most commonly received from riding in a car that is struck from behind or that collides with another object. When the head is suddenly jerked back and forth beyond its normal limits, the muscles and ligaments supporting the head and spine can be stretched or torn.
The soft, pulpy discs between spinal bones can bulge, tear, or rupture. Vertebrae can be forced out of their normal position, reducing range of motion.
Most auto-related whiplash injuries occur when a car is stopped and occupants are unaware that they are about to be hit from the side or from behind. Even though the car may have received little damage, occupants can suffer serious spinal injuries.
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