headaches

headaches are leading cause of

missed work, school, and doctor visits

types of headaches?

primary and secondary

primary headache examples

Migraine

Tension

Cluster

Stress

secondary headache examples

Brain tumor

Meningitis

Fever/Infection

○ Sinus

primary headache?

Headache is the actual condition.

secondary headache?

Headache is due to an underlying condition.

most common cause for primary headche

tension

TENSION-TYPE HEADACHES

“Tight band around the head”

Bilaterally (usually forehead, temples, or occiput)

Dull, achy pain

Mild to moderate intensity

No associated symptoms

Are tension type headaches related to stress or trigger points?

yes they often relate to stress or trigger points

○ Fatigue or poor posture

MIGRAINES

“Throbbing pain”

■ Unilaterally

○ Moderate to severe intensity

■ Can last 4 to 72 hours

symptoms of migraines

Nausea and/or vomiting

■ Photophobia (sensitive to light)

■ Aura

● Blind spots

● Numbness or tingling (paresthesia)

● Difficulty speaking (aphasia)

secondary headaches main red flag?

“Worst headache of my life” (Thunderclap headache)

branches of trigeminal nerve

V1 - Ophthalmic (Sensory)

V2 - Maxillary (Sensory)

V3 - Mandibular (Sensory and Motor)

Trigeminal Neuralgia

Associated with

compression at root entry

zone, not a headache. (16)

-Hallmark symptoms

Sharp electrical shocks

Paroxysmal lancinating

(Sudden stabbing) in one or

more branches

Migraines

Brought on by dysfunction

in the trigeminovascular

system (16)

-Hallmark symptoms

Light and noise sensitivity

Nausea, Intense throbbing

Can improve with rest

Cluster headaches

Cause currently unknown

(16)

-Hallmark symptoms

Similar presentation as TN

but sudden onset, short

intervals and multiple times

per day

main contributors to migraine

CGRP (Calcitonin Gene Related Peptide) and Substance P appear to be the main contributors to a migraine

what causes trigeminal neuralgia

compression located at root entry zone by the Superior

Cerebellar Artery

male or females get headaches more?

females

which headache is mostly unilateral

migraine

Neovascular theory

1. Trigger event

a. stress, light, hormonal changes

2. Trigeminal nerve activation

a. Nerves sends signals

3. Vasodilation and inflammation

a. Blood vessels becomes enlarged and inflamed

4. Pain perception

a. Brain process pain signals → headaches

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Specialized device which holds coils above your skull to send

magnetic pulses into your brain in order to create a magnetic field.

Cervical-Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy

Purpose is to stimulate the specific neural pathways that can

modulate brain function and reduce symptoms patients may

encounter.

Adjustable Harmonic Resonator Therapy

Purpose is to restore balance and promote healing through

sympathetic resonance.