Relief from Tension Headaches

Tension headaches are extremely common and are believed to affect approximately 78% of the general population. Pain associated with tension headaches is due to tightness of the muscles of the neck and scalp. This pain often starts at the back of the head and moves forward and is often described as “a tight band across your head.” The most common causes of tension headaches are stress but they can also be caused by staying in one position for a long time such as in reading or watching television. Tension headaches are very rarely a symptom of a more serious condition; however, it is important that a detailed history and examination are performed by a medical professional to ensure proper diagnosis. Upon physical examination, it is likely that the physician will find muscular tenderness around your neck and scalp.

A combination of lifestyle changes, relaxation techniques, and traditional and complementary therapies can help reduce the number of tension headaches you have. Important lifestyle modifications include getting 6-8 hours of sleep per night, eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, and smoking cessation. Over-the-counter analgesics such as Tylenol, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, and Aleve are often effective in temporary pain relief; however, there recommended dosage must be followed in order to prevent complications.

The best way to treat tension headaches is to prevent their recurrence by fixing the underlying cause (tight musculature). Several clinical trials have shown that spinal manipulation effectively treats the pain of tension headaches. 

One study compared spinal manipulation to Elavil (prescription headache medication) and found that people in both groups improved; however, those in the spinal manipulation group had far less side effects from treatment. Also, the benefits of spinal manipulation lasted much longer than the Elavil group. The pain relief in the spinal manipulation group lasted for greater than one month while the Elavil group’s symptoms were relieved for approximately one week. 

Another study showed a 50% reduction of headache severity after a single spinal manipulation session. Successful treatment of tension headaches must address and fix the underlying cause of the headache.

Dr. Max focuses on this cause to both treat the acute pain as well as decrease the likelihood of future reoccurrence. 

 

Shoulder Injury Treatment in Chicago

Shoulder injuries come in a variety of forms which range from mild to very severe in nature. In order to properly diagnose a shoulder injury, a detailed history, physical examination, and possible imaging is necessary. Chiropractors can conservatively treat many shoulder injuries and prevent the necessity for more invasive treatments. 

A majority of shoulder injuries involve the rotator cuff which is a group of muscles which act to both stabilize and move the shoulder. 

The four muscles of the rotator cuff are: 

• the supraspinatus, 
• infraspinatus, 
• teres minor, and 
• subscapularis.

The shoulder is composed of several joints that must operate properly in order to allow for full range of motion. The upper thoracic spine also plays a major role in shoulder motion.  

There are many possible mechanisms of shoulder injury which include: a hit to the front of the shoulder, falling on an outstretched arm, sudden traction of the arm, a fall onto the top of the shoulder, etc.

The treatment of shoulder injuries varies greatly depending on the type and extent of injury. It is imperative that following initial shoulder injury passive treatment, a proper and progressive rehabilitation program is performed to prevent joint instability and chronic dislocations. Posture also has a major effect on proper shoulder girdle function. Abnormal posture such as anterior shoulder or anterior head carriage puts excessive stress on the shoulder musculature which leads to susceptibility to shoulder injuries.

The Journal of Chiropractic Medicine researched cases where patients had acute shoulder pain, reduced range of motion, positive shoulder orthopedic tests, palpable tenderness, muscle spasm, and muscle weakness. They found that “There is the need for a non-surgical, conservative approach to treatment of shoulder problems before considering the more aggressive treatment approaches that carry greater iatrogenic risks. The patients’ signs and symptoms responded to a unique method of evaluation and manipulative therapy when other approaches had failed. The risk/benefit ratio suggests that conservative care be considered a potential option for similar conditions¹.”

Dr. Max is an expert at treating shoulder injuries in Chicago. Call Irving Park Chiropractic at 773-880-0880 today to schedule an appointment.

¹Donahue, T. "Manipulative Assessment and Treatment of the Shoulder Complex: Case Reports." Journal of Chiropractic Medicine 2.4 (2003): 145-52.