Headaches 101

Likely causes:

• Instability of cervical spine “CCI” or “AAI”Instability of jaw

• Poor posture

• Neck strain “tech neck”

• Shoulder weakness causing neck to engage to try to stabilize shoulders Dehydration

• Hypersensitivity/hyperexcitability of nervous system with low threshold for triggering migraine

• Food, lights, sounds, smells, barometric pressure

Treatments

• Postural retraining

• Strengthening/stretching (“upper crossed syndrome”)

• Massage

• Oral appliance and PT for TMD

• Biofeedback/relaxation training

• New meds for migraine prevention (CGRP: Aimovig, Emgality, Ajovy, Nurtec, Ubrelvy)

• Medical marijuana

• Botox

• TENS (“Cephaly”)

• Ice/heat

• Soft tissue release of upper cervical spine muscles (likely need to be simultaneously strengthening deep neck stabilizers)

• Medication (preventive and abortive) IV infusion (“Myers Cocktail”)

• Learn and avoid triggers

Check out the “Zivora” app to help you track your migraines to try to establish patterns or identify triggers.

[Please note: Wendy4Therapy is not a medical doctor and is not licensed to provide an official medical diagnosis. Education provided here is for your information only, and it is expected that you visit a medical practitioner who is licensed to provide a diagnosis for further exploration. Wendy4Therapy can take you through the diagnostic criteria but cannot formally diagnose EDS or related conditions. Please do  not reproduce without permission. This is GENERAL and not intended to be customized for individual patients. Please follow consultation and recommendations of your healthcare provider for specifics to your condition.