Migraines and Vomiting for 15 Years. Neuromuscular Dentistry and SPG Blocks May Resolve Symptoms.

Anne: I've been getting migraine headaches for the past 15 or so years. I always have terrible nausea and vomiting. I have tried many many different things with no luck. I had a migraine yesterday where I vomited non-stop for 12+ hours. The migraines are typically on the right side behind my eye but this time I also noticed pain in my upper jaw.

Dr Shapira response:

Dear Anne,

A diagnostic neuromuscular orthotic can often give dramtic results in lowering the frequency and severity of migraine attacks (and associated nausea) and is especially helpful with tension-type headaches and referred muscle headaches. The muscular headaches are frequently the trigger for the migraines. The nausea is a secondary autonomic effect. The trigeminal nerve (or dentists nerve) is involved in almost all migraines and other types of headache. It is also associate with autonomic symptoms. An SPG block can sometimes offer amazing relief. There is an out of print book "Miracles on Park Avenue" that discusses some of the benefits of SPG blocks.

An Spenopalatine Ganglion Block can be done at the first sign of a headache and prevent a full attack. I usually teach my patients this easy technique.

I do see long distance patients, but I like a complete history and phone interview before scheduling. I usually will have patients come in Sunday and I see them Monday AM and PM, Tuesday AM and PM and Wednesday morning for their first set of appointments. Call my office if you would like me to see you at 847-623-5530.

A neuromuscular work-up will usually show the problems and allow for correction but their may be other factors besides the jaws, jaw muscles, jaw joints, posture and trigeminal nerves. Allergies or chemical triggers can still serve as headache triggers.

Headaches since June, Back of head that last 1 1/2 days and end with throwing up.

Rachel: I have on going headaches since June. They are in the back area of the head and I usually have them for 1 day and half. Most of the time I end up throwing up

Dr Shapira response: Dear Rachel,

I assume that you have visited you physician to discuss your headaches due to the dramatic change. If nothing is found medically occipital headaches are frequently helped by a neuromuscular orthotic. Symptoms that you describe can also be caused by Atlas/Axis problems and you might want to consider seeing an Atlas Orthogonal or NUCCA chiropracter..

If the pain is primarily muscle ait may be easy to relieve utilizing Travell vapocoolant spray and stretch. Does the pain go away immediately after vomiting? When you vomit it causes instant but temporary release of closing jaw muscles.

It is always important to consider organic disease when a new type of headache occurs. Never assume that there is not an undrlying disease process. Neuromuscular Dentistry is probably one of the safest and most effective treatments for chronic headaches and migraines but when a new type of headache occurs it is important to rule out other medical causes.

Objective diagnosis is the key, you do not want to become a drug guinea pig diagnosed by serial drug experiments.

Turning off a migraine headaches in seconds without drugs.

There is an very cool trick that can be used to provide instant relief for some migraines and tesion-type headaches. Because most headaches are trigeminal in orgin stimulation of the GAG reflex will often alleviate both headaches from muscle spasm and/or myofascial pain. The gag reflex is a protective reflex that prevents aspiration of vomit into the lungs by rapid wide opening of the mouth.

The GAG reflex causes the elevators of the mandible (mouth closing muscles) to instantly relax completely and the suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles that are depressors of the mandible (mouth opening muscles) instantly contract. This causes a mouth opening like a snake as oposed to a normal hinge opening. If a patient has a tension-type headache,ETTH, chronic daily headache or muscle contraction headache from the jaw muscles they will frequently have complete or very significant headache relief. This same technique can also be used to reduce an acute close lock (joint locking that prevents opening) of the mandible.

Migraine headaches can also be turned off or sometimes prevented if this proceedure is done before a full migraine occurs. The mechanism is both reduction of muscle pain which is a significant portion of most migraines but also a change in the circulation to the anterior 2/3 rds of the meninges of the brain. The trigeminal nerve controls that blood flow and a forceful gag will often correct the vascular cause of the migraine thru trigeminal nerve changes. This can also be used by patients who do not have access to their headache medication.

It is very important to keep the teeth from touching after stimulating the gag reflex to prevent a return of the headache.

Many physicians and patients consider nauseau and vomiting associated with headaches to be diagnostic of migraines but this is not always the case. TMJ and muscle caused headaches frequently are associated with nauseau.

Patients who have migraines that are relieved after vomiting should consider the trigeminal nerve and its related muscles as a cause of their headaches. Neuromuscular Dentistry can frequently supply long-lasting relief for these patients. The gag reflex is a remedial maneuver that can relieve a severe headache but long-term improvement in the quality of life can be achieved for many patients by utilizing a diagnostic neuromuscular orthotic. If substantial relief is achieved the patient can the consider a long term correction based on the position of the jaw when wearing the orthotic.