Tension-Type Headache: AKA: Tension Headache, Muscle Contraction Headache, Psychomyogenic Headache, Stress Headache, Ordinary Headache, Essential Headache, Idiopathic Headache and Psychogenic Headache.

Tension-Type Headaches are extremely common affecting the majority of the public at some time during their lifetime.  It is commonly associated with Stress or more accurately how patients react to stressful periods. 

There is often considerable cross over between Tension-Type headaches and Medication Overuse Headache.

Tension-Type Headaches can be mild, moderate or severe to very severe and frequently patients refer to them as "my Migraine".  Migraine in Children are often misdiagnosed Tension Type Headaches associated with Myofascial Trigger Points.  Because Migraine pathogenesis is also not well understood there is a great deal of crossover diagnosis.  

This recent study; Eur J Pain. 2018 Feb;22(2):385-392. doi: 10.1002/ejp.1127. Epub 2017 Sep 26.  "CHILDREN WITH MIGRAINE:  PROVOCATION VIA PRESSURE TO MYOFASCIAL TRIGGER POINTS IN THE TRAPZIUS MUSCLE?"  is an excellent example of research which confuses or fails to clarify migraine and tension-type headaches.  The article is excellent looking at headaches from triggerpoints in the Trapezius muscle.  (abstract below at ent of post)

To understand Tension-Type Headaches I believe it  is extremely important to understand and know all of the referral patterns identifies in MPD or Myofascial Pain.  Any physician or dentist is compromised in their quality of care without this knowledge and is likely to  prescribe excessive or inappropriate medications.  

 I believe it is impossible to make a proper diagnosis in many patients until both  active and latent  trigger points have been identified and managed.  This is an essential step in the differential diagnosis and should be completed prior to medication prescriptions for triptans and other medications.

The website www.TriggerPoints.net is an excellent resource for patients and physicians dealing with Tension-Type Headaches and Migraines.  It is taken from the testbook "Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: A Trigger Point Manual"  

I recommend that my patients buy this book to better understand their pain patterns, how they can prevent myofascial trigger points from forming and how they can improve the pain from these trigger points. 

The precise mechanisms of Tension-type headaches are not well understood.  There are many discussions that differentiate central and peripheral mechanisms.

The first known fact about Tension Headaches (and Migraines) is that they are primarily disorders of the Trigeminal Nervous System and the Trigeminal Vascular System.

There is also no question that the autonomic nervous system plays an enormous role especially the Sympathetic nervous system and the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.  

Chronic Tension Type Headaches are a serious condition that can severely decrease quality of life and cause considerable disability.  

All patients with Tension-Type headaches of a severe or chronic nature should have the effects of the autonomic nervous system evaluated as part of the diagnostic work-up with a minimally invasive Diagnostic Sphenopalatine (Pterygopalatine) Ganglion Block.   https://www.sphenopalatineganglionblocks.com/managing-chronic-headaches-spg-block-sphenopalatine-ganglion-block/

The use of self-administered Sphenopalatine Ganglion (SPG) Blocks can often have almost immediate relief of even severe pain and sometimes spontaneous remission of the underlying headache with repeated use.

These blocks reset the autonomic nervous system and help with stress response (sympathetic) turning off "Fight or Flight Reflex" and turn on the Parasympathetic Reflex ie "Feed and Breed or Eat and Digest Reflex"

There is an incredible histor of pain relief including a 1930 scientific article by Hiram Byrd on "Sphenopalatine Phenomena" and a 1986 popular book "Miracles on Park Avenue" documenting the practice of Dr Milton Reder who exclusively utilized SPG Blocks to treat patients varied types of pain.

Dr Ho published an extensive review Sphenopalatine Ganglion Blocks and Modulation in a 2017 paper.  https://www.sphenopalatineganglionblocks.com/sphenopalatine-ganglion-block-radiofrequency-ablation-neurostimulation-systematic-review/

The concept of Neuromodulation is extremely important because it helps explain the amazing successes of neuromuscular dentistry in treating and eliminating headaches and migraines.  A basic concept in Neuromuscular Dentistry is utilizing the Myomonitor to relax muslces inervated by Trigeminal and facial nerves to find neuromuscular rest and occlusion which serves to give a healthy reset to the trigeminal nervous system as a patient functions and swallows.

The Myomonitor also acts as a Neuromodulation device of the Sphenopalatine Ganglion.  There is an incredible 50 year safety record of Sphenopalatine Stimulation with the Myomonitor when used by Neuromuscular Dentists.

Understanding how these processes work is important.  It is also important to hear patients stories.  This is a link to over 100 patient videos who have been treated with Neuromuscular Dentistry and SPG Blocks for Tension-Type Headaches, Migraines, TMJ disorders, Myofascial Pain and referred headaches and related sleep disorders.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk9Bfz6pklC7_UluWFHzLrg/videos

PubMed Abstract

Eur J Pain. 2018 Feb;22(2):385-392. doi: 10.1002/ejp.1127. Epub 2017 Sep 26.

Children with migraine: Provocation of headache via pressure to myofascialtrigger points in the trapezius muscle? - A prospective controlled observational study.

Landgraf MN1,2, Biebl JT1,2, Langhagen T1,2, Hannibal I1,2, Eggert T2,3, Vill K1, Gerstl L1, Albers L4, von Kries R4, Straube A2,3, Heinen F1,2.

Author information

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The objective was to evaluate a supposed clinical interdependency of myofascial trigger points and migraine in children. Such interdependency would support an interaction of spinal and trigeminal afferences in the trigemino-cervical complex as a contributing factor in migraine.

METHODS:

Children ≤18 years with the confirmed diagnosis of migraine were prospectively investigated. Comprehensive data on medical history, clinical neurological and psychological status were gathered. Trigger points in the trapezius muscle were identified by palpation and the threshold of pressure pain at these points was measured. Manual pressure was applied to the trigger points, and the occurrence and duration of induced headache were recorded. At a second consultation (4 weeks after the first), manual pressure with the detected pressure threshold was applied to non-trigger points within the same trapezius muscle (control). Headache and related parameters were again recorded and compared to the results of the first consultation.

RESULTS:

A total of 13 girls and 13 boys with migraine and a median age of 14.5 (Range 6.3-17.8) years took part in the study. Manual pressure to trigger points in the trapezius muscle led to lasting headache after termination of the manual pressure in 13 patients while no patient experienced headache when manual pressure was applied to non-trigger points at the control visit (p < 0.001). Headache was induced significantly more often in children ≥12 years and those with internalizing behavioural disorder.

CONCLUSION:

We found an association between trapezius muscle myofascial trigger points and migraine, which might underline the concept of the trigemino-cervical complex, especially in adolescents.

SIGNIFICANCE:

In children with migraine headache can often be induced by pressure to myofascial trigger points, but not by pressure to non-trigger points in the trapezius muscle. This supports the hypothesis of a trigemino-cervical-complex in the pathophysiology of migraine, which might have implications for innovative therapies in children with migraine.

© 2017 European Pain Federation - EFIC®.

PMID:

 

28952174

 

DOI:

 

10.1002/ejp.1127

Migraine: Somatotosensory and Autonomic Nervous System Underlie Complex Pathophysiology. Treatment should address both systems.

The complex nature of migraines often leads to confusion, misdiagnosis and mistreatment.  There is an excellent article from the Journal of Neuroscience "Migraine: Multiple Processes, Complex Pathophysiology (abstract below).  Treatment of migraine can often be very easy but the traditional approach can make migraines more difficult to treat. 

Treatment and Elimination of headaches and migraines is most effective if it addresses both the Autonomic and Somatosensory nervous systems.

According to this paper " These molecular, anatomical, and functional abnormalities provide a neuronal substrate for an extreme sensitivity to fluctuations in homeostasis, a decreased ability to adapt, and the recurrence of headache. "  This means that it is a disturbance in Homeostasis of the brain.  It is important to understand this because the primary cause of changes occuring in the brain is from neurological and vascular input from the body.  The single largest source of input is through the Trigeminal Nerve.

Homeostasis is when all systems are in proper balance and actively respond to changes to restore thaty balance, ie Homeostasis.  This can be compared to a computer, when is is in balance all of software and hardware work correctly.  We have all had a computer crash or lock up.  This would be equivilant to losing Homeostasis.  We reset our computer with "Control /Alt /Delete" which turns off the computer and resets it to the correct settings.  The best way to treat migraines is to reset our brain to restore Homeostasis.  The reasons computers crash is usually an I /O or input /Output error or simply "GARBAGE IN / GARBAGE OUT"  This article will discuss resetting the brain or finding our Control/Alt/ Delete button for our brain to decrease or eliminate headaches and migraines.

Noxious input from the Trigeminal Nerve to the brain responsible for almost all headaches and migraines.  Noxious input is essentially  the "Garbage in".  If there is too much garbage in the computer crashes; in terms of our brain this would be symptoms of headache, migraine, dizziness, tinnitus or many other common symptoms. 

There are two types of nerves that travel through the Trigeminal Nervous System, Somatosensory nerves and Autonomic Nerves.  The Somatosensory Nervous  System is the part we are aware of using, how we move, use our muscles, and do most of our daily activities.  When there are issues with pain or dysfunction we adjust using the Somatosensory nerves.

The Autonomic Nervous System is where activities we don't control occur.  This can be heart rate, digestion, love, fear, how are pupils dilate or constrict in  response to light or we get goose bumps or shiver in response to cold or sweat in response to excessive heat.  We cannot voluntarily control these or have only partial control  

The Autonomic Nervous System is divided into two divisions the Sympathetic division and the Parasympathetic division.  The sympathetic division is responsible for preparing our bodies to take action.  The Sympathetic reflex is the "Fight or Flight reflex"  We send blood to our brain and muscles and get ready to defend ourselves or run like crazy.  For a more primitive lifestyle this is perfect but if you are sitting in a classroom or an office this reflex causes chronic stress.  

The Parasympathetic Division gives us the "Feed and Breed" or "Eat and Digest" reflex.  It sends blood to our gut, slows are heart rate, allows sleep, rest, feelings of love and friendship, puts you into the mood for romance, gives us the good feeling we get playing with babies, puppies and kittens.  If the Sympathetic reflex helps the indivdual survive the parasympathetic iprovides for survival of the species.

We require a balance of these two systems to survive and usually one or the other predominates depending on what is happening in our life.  If the sympathetic system gets "stuck on" we suffer from stress diseases.  This was first described by Hans Selye in his book "The Stress of Life"  He was one of the first to explain the adverse health effects of stress on our brain and body.  This includes headaches and migraines.

When we get out Sympathetic system "Stuck on" it creates problems and destroys the state of homeostasis leaving us "out of balance"  This is the equivilant of our computer crashing.  To reset our brain we need to reset our autonomic nervous system.  One reset button is the Sphenopalatine Ganglion (SPG) Block

For headaches, Migraines, Anxiety and Stress diseases the switch to reset our autonomic nervous system is the Sphenopalatine Ganglion located on the maxillary division of the Trigeminal Nerve in the Pterygopalatine fossa.  It is a small part of the brain outside the calvarium where most of the brain is and located behind the nose.  

A Sphenopalatine Ganglion (SPG) Block can reset the brain and turn off many types os sympathetic overloads, often giving instant relief of migraines, chronic headaches, tension-type headaches and cluster headaches.  Due to the position behind the nose it is easily accessible.  I will explain more about SPG Blocks later.

The second method that can easily reset brain and restore Homeostasis is thru Neuromuscular Dentistry.  Neuromuscular Dentistry utilizes an Ultra Low Frequency (ULF) TENS to relax muscles innervated by the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve) and the seventh cranial nerve (facial nerve).
While pulsing the muscles the myomonitor also acts as a stimulator or neuromodulator of the Sphenopalatine ganglion, resetting the autonomic nervous system and returning us to a state of Homeostasis.

Both methods of affecting the Sphenopalatine Ganglion return us to Homeostasis by different pathways.  The SPG Blocks can be done by injection but the most common method is by nasal catheter.  Three commercial devices utilized are the Sphenocath, the Allevio and the TX 360.  They are all basically squirt guns that squirt anesthetic to the mucosa over the Pterygopalatine Fossa that holds the Ganglion and are usually done in the ER or in a Neurologist's office.

The best method, in my opinion is to teach patients to self -administer SPG Blocks using cotton-tipped catheters that offer continual capillary feed of anesthetic to the area of the ganglion. Regardless of the method used SPG Blocks are a resetting mechanism for the Autonomic nervous system. 

Another part of the Autonomic Nervous System is the Stellate Ganglion and research has shown that  a single shot of anesthetic can "CURE PTSD" which is amazing!  I have found that patients with PTSD respond very well to repetitive self administered SPG Blocks as well.

All of these approaches address headaches, Migraines, Depression, Anxiety and other "Stress" disorders by restting the brain and restoring Homeostasis or Balance.  Neuromuscular Dentistry also restores balance thru the somatosensory system with the aid of the Myomonitor and the Diagnostic Neuromuscular Orthotic.

Compare these treatments to the typical drug approach where first one and then another drug is used to control headache pain, each and every drug has multiple side effects and change brain chemistry and neurotransmitters.  Drug overuse and withdrawal pains are common.  BOTOX uses a neurotoxin to disconnect muscles and brain rather than restoring them to a normal healthy state and healthy Homeostasis.

Are these otheer treatment bad?  No, they should just not be the first approach to healing which is to restore normal physiology and chemistry and allow healing by removing the impediments to healing.

Additional resources:
https://www.sphenopalatineganglionblocks.com/new-daily-persistent-headache-aka-chronic-headache-acute-onset-spg-blocks-ideal-first-line-treatment/

https://www.sphenopalatineganglionblocks.com/transformed-migraine-chronic-migraine-study-spg-blocks-vs-elavil/

https://www.sphenopalatineganglionblocks.com/new-studies-point-common-etiologic-cause-migraines-essential-hypertension-spg-blocks-missing-piece/

https://www.sphenopalatineganglionblocks.com/intractable-headaches-migraines-sphenopalatine-ganglion-spg-blocks-may-fastest-safest-treatment/

J Neurosci. 2015 Apr 29; 35(17): 6619–6629.

doi:  10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0373-15.2015

PMCID: PMC4412887

Migraine: Multiple Processes, Complex Pathophysiology

Rami Burstein,1,3 Rodrigo Noseda,1,3 and David Borsook2,3

Author information ► Article notes ► Copyright and License information ►

Abstract

Migraine is a common, multifactorial, disabling, recurrent, hereditary neurovascular headache disorder. It usually strikes sufferers a few times per year in childhood and then progresses to a few times per week in adulthood, particularly in females. Attacks often begin with warning signs (prodromes) and aura (transient focal neurological symptoms) whose origin is thought to involve the hypothalamus, brainstem, and cortex. Once the headache develops, it typically throbs, intensifies with an increase in intracranial pressure, and presents itself in association with nausea, vomiting, and abnormal sensitivity to light, noise, and smell. It can also be accompanied by abnormal skin sensitivity (allodynia) and muscle tenderness. Collectively, the symptoms that accompany migraine from the prodromal stage through the headache phase suggest that multiple neuronal systems function abnormally. As a consequence of the disease itself or its genetic underpinnings, the migraine brain is altered structurally and functionally. These molecular, anatomical, and functional abnormalities provide a neuronal substrate for an extreme sensitivity to fluctuations in homeostasis, a decreased ability to adapt, and the recurrence of headache. Advances in understanding the genetic predisposition to migraine, and the discovery of multiple susceptible gene variants (many of which encode proteins that participate in the regulation of glutamate neurotransmission and proper formation of synaptic plasticity) define the most compelling hypothesis for the generalized neuronal hyperexcitability and the anatomical alterations seen in the migraine brain. Regarding the headache pain itself, attempts to understand its unique qualities point to activation of the trigeminovascular pathway as a prerequisite for explaining why the pain is restricted to the head, often affecting the periorbital area and the eye, and intensifies when intracranial pressure increases.

The entire article is available at:  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4412887/

New Daily Persistent Headaches: Ideally Treatment Should Be To Reset The System

Neuromuscular Dentistry is excellent at treating a wide variety of headaches and migraines and can quickly restore a patient with New Daily Persistent Headaches (NDPH).  This is partially due to addressing the somatosensory trigeminal nervous system.  The Myomonitor also provides Ultra Low Frequency stimulation and neuromodulation to the Sphenopalatine Ganglion.  I believe this effect on the Autonomic nervous system is of key importance to the success of neuromuscular dentistry.

This article addresses the use of SPG Blocks alone in  the treatment of New Daily Persistent Headaches but combining both treatments is ideal.  The use of medications can actually complicate recovery over the long terms by changes that occur in the brain chemistry associated with medication use and overuse.

This following is reprinted form my SphenopalatineGanglionBlocks.com website.

New Daily Persistent Headache: AKA Chronic Headache with Acute Onset.  Are SPG Blocks the Ideal First Line Treatment?

The New Daily Persistent Headache (NDPH) is daily from its onset and usually peaks in about three days. Most patients can pinpoint exactly when it began to a day or an hour. Many patients remember many specifics of the day as well. These NDP Headaches seem to respond exceedingly well to Sphenopalatine Ganglion Blocks.

Unlike most headache patients, patients suffering from New Daily Persistent Headache rarely have any headache history.  It is very important to rule out any serious underlying causes prior to initiating any treatment!

The symptoms described can mimic migraine or tension-type headache or a mixture of both types. Long term NDPH can match descriptions of chronic migraine or chronic tension headaches.

NDPH can be one of two types, those that resolve spontaneously over a period of several months and also a refractory subtype that seems resistant to aggressive treatment regimens.

The refractory subtype can have features of either intractable migraine or intractable tension-type headache. Like almost all headaches NDPH is a Trigeminal Nerve Headache probably involving both somatosensory nerves and autonomic nerves.

The current rationale for the use of Sphenopalatine Ganglion Blocks (SPG) in treating New Daily Persistent Headache is to treat symptoms not to prevent recurrence. The use of SPG Blocks every two weeks may effectively reduce symptoms over time.

The use of Self Administered SPG Blocks on a twice daily basis initially and tapering down to once daily, than twice weekly and then weekly or even once or twice a month is a better approach for most patients.  Self-Administered Treatment with SPG Blocks may be directed toward elimination of the problem and not just treatment of symptoms.

The effectiveness of the SPG Blocks for both Tension-Type Headaches and for Migraines make them a natural choice for New Daily Persistent Headaches.

Initially SPG Blocks offer quick pain relief and the repeated administration before rebound allows the system to reset itself. Ideally starting treatment before the headache has been present for three months may eliminate the headaches before 3 months making NDPH a poor diagnosis.

The goal is to return the patient to their presymptomatic status as quickly as possible. There is no specific cause for onset but it can be considered that the Homeostatic balance has been lost thereby initiating and maintaining the headache without clear underlying pathology.

Sphenopalatine Ganglion Blocks act as a reset mechanism for Homeostasis in the system. When a computer quits working correctly we reset it by hitting Control /Alt /Delete to rest it.  The effect of the SPG Block is similar and resets Homeostasis.  If we utilize aggressive medication protocols we risk permanently upsetting the homeostatic balance and medication may actually be what causes a self-limiting sub-type to become a refractory sub-type NDPH.  Avoiding iatrogenic conversion from sub-type 1 to sub-type 2 is essential and great care should be taken in patients with sudden onset new headaches.

https://www.sphenopalatineganglionblocks.com/tag/spg-block-refractory-headache/

Sphenopalatine (nasal) Ganglion (SPG) can be responsible for much more than headaches.

I came across this interesting abstract (below) on the spenopalatine ganglion and how it can cause remote effects. According to the article published in Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1979 Aug;60(8):353-9 it can be responsible for wide ranging disorders. "Symptoms are primarily spastic, involving both visceral and voluntary muscles including muscle spasm in the neck, shoulder, and low back; asthma, hypertension, intestinal spasm; diarrhea, angina pectoris, uterine spasm; intractable hiccup, and many others." I must disagree that the symptoms are "psychosomatic", I would venture that doctors facing idiopathic conditions sometimes label what they do not understand as psychosomatic. I have not read the original article only the abstract at this time and I am not sure how the authors are using the term psychosomatic.

All of the symptoms are mediated by the autonomic nervous system. The authors point out the connections to the Trigeminal Nerve, facial nerve and to the internal carotid artery plexus of the sympathetic nervous system. these connections could explain how the SPG is ntimately involved in TMD (TMJ) disorders and facial pain, migraines, tension headaches and other problems.

Neuromuscular dentistry will have effects on the trigeminal and facial nerves that travel thru the SPG but use of intranasal spenopalatine blocks will be a valuable tool in treating these autonomic aspects of chronic pain. Neuromuscular Dentists and all physicians and dentists treating chronic pain should be well versed in utilization of intranasal SPG blocks.

The rage reaction may also be affected by the SPG which may explain chemical changes seen in the brains of chronic pain patients. The connections to the pituitary gland could have effects on a wide variety of hormonal conditions.

I have seen remarkable results in some patients while utilizing SPG intranasal blocks while in other patients they seem ineffective. This may actually constitute a diagnostic evaluation for how large an autonomic effect is in a given patient.

Neuromuscular dentistry can evaluate the changes that take place in the masticatory muscles by utilizing EMG measurements of the masticatory muscles before and after SPG blocks. However we will only be able to measure the effects on voluntary muscles but not on visceral muscles or autonomic function. The field of neuromuscular dentistry has tremendous effects on the trigeminal nerve input to the brain. The Trigemnal nerve (fifth cranial nerve) is responsible for over 50% of the total input to the brain. the autonomic components are still not well understood by clinicians treating migraines, tension headaches, TMD, myofascial pain and other disorders. RSD (Reflex sympathetic Dystrophy) or CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome) are autonomic manifestations are some some of the most troubling in clinical treatment of pain.

The authors presents arguments supporting the following hypotheses:" 1. The SPG probably has a crucial role in lower animals in declenching the reflex responses known collectively as the rage reaction. 2. The SPG is a major point of entry to the autonomic system exposed to pathologic influences and readily accessible for therapeutic influences and readily accessible for therapeutic intervention. 3. A wide variety of symptoms are produced or maintained by alteration in autonomic system tonus and some of these may be affected by intervention on the SPG. 4. The possible relationship of some symptoms and "psychosomatic" conditions to the autonomic nervous system and the rage reaction must be considered."

I am sometimes amazed at the effectiveness that we achieve utilizing a neuromuscular orthotic while we still do not have a good grasp on the underlying neurology. I believe why we are so successful in eliminating, preventing and treating chronic migraines and headaches is that the correction of the proprioceptive input accomplished by neuromuscular dental orthotics or occlusal corrections is such an emormous reduction in noxious neural input that we accidentally produce vast beneficial effects throughout the trigeminovascular system, the autonomic nervous system, the hormonal systems influenced by the pituitary gland and in the part of the brain (retained) that is involved in rage reflexes found in lower animals.

Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1979 Aug;60(8):353-9.
Sphenopalatine (nasal) ganglion: remote effects including "psychosomatic" symptoms, rage reaction, pain, and spasm.
Ruskin AP.

Many articles implicate the nasal ganglion in the production of remote symptoms and discuss treatment. Symptoms are primarily spastic, involving both visceral and voluntary muscles including muscle spasm in the neck, shoulder, and low back; asthma, hypertension, intestinal spasm; diarrhea, angina pectoris, uterine spasm; intractable hiccup, and many others. All these symptoms appear to have 2 common denominators. They are mediated by the autonomic nervous system and at least in some instances can be "psychosomatic." The sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) is a major autonomic ganglion located superficially in the pterygopalatine fossa, with major afferent distribution to the entire nasopharynx and important connections with the trigeminal nerve, facial nerve, internal carotid artery plexus of the sympathetic nervous system and, as shown in the rat, direct connection with the anterior pituitary gland. This paper presents arguments supporting the following hypotheses: 1. The SPG probably has a crucial role in lower animals in declenching the reflex responses known collectively as the rage reaction. 2. The SPG is a major point of entry to the autonomic system exposed to pathologic influences and readily accessible for therapeutic influences and readily accessible for therapeutic intervention. 3. A wide variety of symptoms are produced or maintained by alteration in autonomic system tonus and some of these may be affected by intervention on the SPG. 4. The possible relationship of some symptoms and "psychosomatic" conditions to the autonomic nervous system and the rage reaction must be considered.20

PMID: 464779 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]