The prevertebral muscles and tendons are difficult to address and oftey interfere with healing and recovery. They are frequently injured in whiplash injures and symptoms can linger for years or even decades.
"Headache attributed to retropharyngeal tendonitis" is classified by "The Third Classification of Headache Disorder, 3rd addition"
Diagnosis Code 11.2.2
Raising of the eyes by tilting of the head can cause both referred pain, aching and headache. These muscles and tendons extend over the top 3-4 vertebrae to the skull. There is a frequent involvement of the upper cervicl complex.
While Neuromuscular Dental Orthotics address the majority of head and neck symptoms by restoring structural and muscular balance NMD does not correct upper cervical vertebrae.
These can be addressed by specially trained osteopaths and chiropractors. Atlas-Orthoganol chiropractors wok on the first vertebre (the Atlas) and the second vertebrae (the Axis) and their relation to the skull. They deliver a precice adjustment to the upper cervical region. NUCCA chiropractors address the same area utilizzing different techniques. Both work well as does the osteopathic approach.
It is important to have a stable neuromuscular orthotic before doing the adjustment (on combination cases) and it is often necessary for a patient to have both adjustments on the same day. Typically, the nuromuscular orthotic is corrected after the A/O adjustment.
I work closely with Dr Mark Freund on patients requiring upper cervical corrections. https://www.northshoreatlas.com/atlas-orthogonal.
Addressing the fascial and muscular disorders of the prevertebral region is usually started by a very gradual passive gentle stretch with the patient laying on the floor with a very small towel roll under the shoulders allowing the head to extend and tip backwards. If there is pain or discomfort the size of the towel roll is reduced. Typically 20 minute sessions that also combine very slow diaphragmatic breathing will let these muscle release their taut bands and tension. Overdoing the stretch impedes progress.
The scalene muscles are usually also involved in creating problems but they can be addressed with ULF-TENS (Myomonitor), Spray and Stretch techniques, correction of paradoxical breathing issues and other physical modalities.
Sufficient Magnesium and calcium levels are important for muscle relaxation.
Feldenkrais and Alexander techniques work well in patients with these disorders as do Paul St John techniques.
All of these techniques work best with well balanced neuromuscular orthotics. The Aqualizer appliance is a self balancing hydrostatic appliance that can also be extremely useful. Italian studies show it relaxes muscles throughout the body.
I frequently have my patients walk and run up and down stairs in these appliances to let the body and spine unwind and the muscles relax prior to adjusting neuromuscular appliance.
Aqualizers are almost a necessity when having A/O adjustments for patients traveling from one office to another.
Cranial Manipulation is another instance where the Aqualizer is incredibly useful as a patient goes from cranial doctor to have his Neuromuscular Orthotic adjusted.
Dr Mark Freund also utilizes Cranial work. https://www.northshoreatlas.com/cranial-suture-release
His Highland Park office is across the hall from my Highland Park office:
www.ThinkBetterLife.com
Prevertebral muscle and tendon issues can be very difficult and working with multiplle professionals is key to success.
"Headache attributed to retropharyngeal tendonitis" is classified by "The Third Classification of Headache Disorder, 3rd addition"
Diagnosis Code 11.2.2
Raising of the eyes by tilting of the head can cause both referred pain, aching and headache. These muscles and tendons extend over the top 3-4 vertebrae to the skull. There is a frequent involvement of the upper cervicl complex.
While Neuromuscular Dental Orthotics address the majority of head and neck symptoms by restoring structural and muscular balance NMD does not correct upper cervical vertebrae.
These can be addressed by specially trained osteopaths and chiropractors. Atlas-Orthoganol chiropractors wok on the first vertebre (the Atlas) and the second vertebrae (the Axis) and their relation to the skull. They deliver a precice adjustment to the upper cervical region. NUCCA chiropractors address the same area utilizzing different techniques. Both work well as does the osteopathic approach.
It is important to have a stable neuromuscular orthotic before doing the adjustment (on combination cases) and it is often necessary for a patient to have both adjustments on the same day. Typically, the nuromuscular orthotic is corrected after the A/O adjustment.
I work closely with Dr Mark Freund on patients requiring upper cervical corrections. https://www.northshoreatlas.com/atlas-orthogonal.
Addressing the fascial and muscular disorders of the prevertebral region is usually started by a very gradual passive gentle stretch with the patient laying on the floor with a very small towel roll under the shoulders allowing the head to extend and tip backwards. If there is pain or discomfort the size of the towel roll is reduced. Typically 20 minute sessions that also combine very slow diaphragmatic breathing will let these muscle release their taut bands and tension. Overdoing the stretch impedes progress.
The scalene muscles are usually also involved in creating problems but they can be addressed with ULF-TENS (Myomonitor), Spray and Stretch techniques, correction of paradoxical breathing issues and other physical modalities.
Sufficient Magnesium and calcium levels are important for muscle relaxation.
Feldenkrais and Alexander techniques work well in patients with these disorders as do Paul St John techniques.
All of these techniques work best with well balanced neuromuscular orthotics. The Aqualizer appliance is a self balancing hydrostatic appliance that can also be extremely useful. Italian studies show it relaxes muscles throughout the body.
I frequently have my patients walk and run up and down stairs in these appliances to let the body and spine unwind and the muscles relax prior to adjusting neuromuscular appliance.
Aqualizers are almost a necessity when having A/O adjustments for patients traveling from one office to another.
Cranial Manipulation is another instance where the Aqualizer is incredibly useful as a patient goes from cranial doctor to have his Neuromuscular Orthotic adjusted.
Dr Mark Freund also utilizes Cranial work. https://www.northshoreatlas.com/cranial-suture-release
His Highland Park office is across the hall from my Highland Park office:
www.ThinkBetterLife.com
Prevertebral muscle and tendon issues can be very difficult and working with multiplle professionals is key to success.
