The difference between Primary headache and secondary headache
Primary headache - The headache is the condition
Secondary headache- the headache is a result of an underlining pathology (hypertension trauma)
What is a spinally mediated headache
Originates from the trigger points in the muscles And structures of the neck and thorax as low as the 10th vertebra
What is a chronic daily headache (cdh)
Arise daily but fluctuate with pain levels
Predisposing factors to spinally mediated headaches and chronic daily headaches
- sleep disturbances
- trigger point stimuli
- trauma to head, neck and back
- posteral imbalances
- Tmd (temporal mandibular dysfunction)
Contraindications for tension headaches
CIs- no deep or aggressive techniques during a headache
History questions to ask for tension headaches
Trauma, when it started, onset, severity, location, stress level, sleep disturbances, nutrition, what relieves/ aggravates it
Palpation and observations for headaches
Hypertonicity Clenching jaw Pain/tension expression Decreased rom Posteral imbalances
Palpate - traps, electors, sub occipitals, scm, scalenes, massetors, temoralis, mylohyoid
Treatment goals for tension headaches
Decrease Hypertonicity
Release trigger points
Decrease sympathetic nerve firing (stress)
Increase circulation
Treatment plan for tension headache
- shaking, jostling, rocking (decrease symp nerve firing)
- gentle fascial glide if tolerated
- effleurage to increase circulation
- petrissage
- ischemic compressions, slow and gentle
- joint play between cervical vetebrae and passive range of motion (Flexion, rotation, side bending, extension)
