TMJ disorders and headaches are closely related. There are distinct differences in underlying structural differences in patients who experience Tension-Type Headaches and Migraine.
The pain can be primarily related to cervical and cranial musculature but can also be secondary to postural distortions that effect the central nervous system.
Bent Face Syndrome is caused by orthopedic displacement of cranial bones or Cranial Orthopedic Distortions. Other patients have Dental Distortions but the Cranial bones are correctly positioned. Most frequently patients have simultaneous cranial and dental distortions.
Symptoms can be headaches, ear aches, ear pressure, retro-orbital eye pain or pressure, ear stuffiness or mild, moderate, or severe and immobolizing headaches or migraines.
Correction of bites may not correct the underlying cranial bone distortion. As I write this I am in the middle of a course with Dr Bob Walker (founder of Chirodontics) who has developed simple methods to diagnose and treat both the cranial and dental problems. Inn addition to reductions in pain there is also major improvements in facial esthetics.
These methods can lead to rapid correction of these problems and improve final positioning. I first saw Bob present this information at the ICCMO meeting in October. What he accomplished was "impossible". After spending a full day with him I now know it is not only possible but relatively quick and easy. He also helps point out which patients are most likely to be very difficult to treat.
Showing posts with label tension type headaches. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tension type headaches. Show all posts
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
CONTINUOS HEADACHE FOR MONTHS!
DEBBIE: i have had a headache non stop for 21 months. i need help now!!!!!!
The doctdors can not tell me what is causing thsi, they just keep giving me drugs.
DR SHAPIRA RESPONSE: Debbie, I frequently hear stories like yours. The fact that the physicians cannot find a cause is good news. It means there isn't a brain tumor or similar organic disorder. The majority of headaches are neuromuscular in orgin and you are probably an excellent canidate for diagnostic blocks, trigger pint deactivation and a neuuromuscular orthotic that addresses the trigeminal nerve and the muscles it feeds.
You did not discuss what tests you have had or your history prior to the headache. I advise that you continual to lookfor the underlying causes of your pain.
Long term like you are experiencing can creat permanent brain changes thru central sensitization.
The doctdors can not tell me what is causing thsi, they just keep giving me drugs.
DR SHAPIRA RESPONSE: Debbie, I frequently hear stories like yours. The fact that the physicians cannot find a cause is good news. It means there isn't a brain tumor or similar organic disorder. The majority of headaches are neuromuscular in orgin and you are probably an excellent canidate for diagnostic blocks, trigger pint deactivation and a neuuromuscular orthotic that addresses the trigeminal nerve and the muscles it feeds.
You did not discuss what tests you have had or your history prior to the headache. I advise that you continual to lookfor the underlying causes of your pain.
Long term like you are experiencing can creat permanent brain changes thru central sensitization.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
NERVE BLOCKS AND TRIGGER POINT INJECTIONS IN THE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC HEADACHES
A new study "Patterns of use of peripheral nerve blocks and trigger point injections among headache practitioners in the USA: Results of the American Headache Society Interventional Procedure Survey (AHS-IPS)" in Headache found widespread use of trigger point injections and nerve blocks it headache treatment. Many Neuromuscular dentists have a great deal of expertise in the utilization of these injections as part of coordinated treatment for Migraines, Tension-Type headaches and TMJ disorders.
Neuromuscular Dentists recognize that these injections are effective but do not address the underlying causes of patients problems. Correction of the Neuromuscular relationships and trigeminal nerve innervated muscles function is the key to long term correction of these problems. When diagnostic blocks and trigger points are effective the next step is to utilize a diagnostic orthotic to reduce noxious input to the Trigeminal nervous system and correct underlying postural pathology.
Headache. 2010 Jun;50(6):937-42.
Patterns of use of peripheral nerve blocks and trigger point injections among headache practitioners in the USA: Results of the American Headache Society Interventional Procedure Survey (AHS-IPS).
Blumenfeld A, Ashkenazi A, Grosberg B, Napchan U, Narouze S, Nett B, DePalma T, Rosenthal B, Tepper S, Lipton RB.
The Headache Center of Southern California, Encinitas, CA, USA.
Comment in:
Headache. 2010 Jun;50(6):953-4.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Many clinicians use peripheral nerve blocks (NBs) and trigger point injections (TPIs) for the treatment of headaches. Little is known, however, about the patterns of use of these procedures among practitioners in the USA. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to obtain information on patterns of office-based use of peripheral NBs and TPIs by headache practitioners in the USA. METHODS: Using an Internet-based questionnaire, the Interventional Procedures Special Interest Section of the American Headache Society (AHS) conducted a survey among practitioners who were members of AHS on patterns of use of NBs and TPIs for headache treatment. RESULTS: Electronic invitations were sent to 1230 AHS members and 161 provided usable data (13.1%). Of the responders, 69% performed NBs and 75% performed TPIs. The most common indications for the use of NBs were occipital neuralgia and chronic migraine (CM), and the most common indications for the use of TPIs were chronic tension-type headache and CM. The most common symptom prompting the clinician to perform these procedures was local tenderness at the intended injection site. The most common local anesthetics used for these procedures were lidocaine and bupivacaine. Dosing regimens, volumes of injection, and injection schedules varied greatly. There was also a wide variation in the use of corticosteroids when performing the injections. Both NBs and TPIs were generally well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Nerve blocks and TPIs are commonly used by headache practitioners in the USA for the treatment of various headache disorders, although the patterns of their use vary greatly.
PMID: 20618812 [PubMed - in process]
Neuromuscular Dentists recognize that these injections are effective but do not address the underlying causes of patients problems. Correction of the Neuromuscular relationships and trigeminal nerve innervated muscles function is the key to long term correction of these problems. When diagnostic blocks and trigger points are effective the next step is to utilize a diagnostic orthotic to reduce noxious input to the Trigeminal nervous system and correct underlying postural pathology.
Headache. 2010 Jun;50(6):937-42.
Patterns of use of peripheral nerve blocks and trigger point injections among headache practitioners in the USA: Results of the American Headache Society Interventional Procedure Survey (AHS-IPS).
Blumenfeld A, Ashkenazi A, Grosberg B, Napchan U, Narouze S, Nett B, DePalma T, Rosenthal B, Tepper S, Lipton RB.
The Headache Center of Southern California, Encinitas, CA, USA.
Comment in:
Headache. 2010 Jun;50(6):953-4.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Many clinicians use peripheral nerve blocks (NBs) and trigger point injections (TPIs) for the treatment of headaches. Little is known, however, about the patterns of use of these procedures among practitioners in the USA. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to obtain information on patterns of office-based use of peripheral NBs and TPIs by headache practitioners in the USA. METHODS: Using an Internet-based questionnaire, the Interventional Procedures Special Interest Section of the American Headache Society (AHS) conducted a survey among practitioners who were members of AHS on patterns of use of NBs and TPIs for headache treatment. RESULTS: Electronic invitations were sent to 1230 AHS members and 161 provided usable data (13.1%). Of the responders, 69% performed NBs and 75% performed TPIs. The most common indications for the use of NBs were occipital neuralgia and chronic migraine (CM), and the most common indications for the use of TPIs were chronic tension-type headache and CM. The most common symptom prompting the clinician to perform these procedures was local tenderness at the intended injection site. The most common local anesthetics used for these procedures were lidocaine and bupivacaine. Dosing regimens, volumes of injection, and injection schedules varied greatly. There was also a wide variation in the use of corticosteroids when performing the injections. Both NBs and TPIs were generally well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Nerve blocks and TPIs are commonly used by headache practitioners in the USA for the treatment of various headache disorders, although the patterns of their use vary greatly.
PMID: 20618812 [PubMed - in process]
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