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Help for Headache Sufferers / Jaw pain

Q. Dear Wade, I have been having headaches two to three times a week for a long time. About one to two times a month I get a migraine. I have tried lots of different cures and seen numerous doctors. Can chiropractic help me?

A. A headache is one of the most common problems or symptoms that affect humanity. It is also one of the most common symptoms that we treat as a chiropractor. There are numerous types of headaches and even more common problems: infections, hangovers, stress, fatigue, etc. To talk about all the types of headaches and all the possible causes would fill a book. Therefore, for the purpose of this column and to answer your question, I will try to be more specific.

For anyone who is suffering from a recurring headache (two-three times a week), it is important to recognize it as a serious sign that something is wrong. Please remember that the headache itself is not the problem. It certianly may feel like the problem when you have one, especially in the case of a migraine. However, the headache is only a symptom that something else is wrong. Most people treat a headache by taking some sort of painkiller. Although this may give temporary relief, it is usually not the answer, especially for a repetitive headache. Too often, we associate lack of symptoms or "no pain" as being healthy, when this is usually far from the truth. If you were driving in your car down the road and the oil light came on, how many of us would cut the wire to the warning light? Hopefully, not too many, yet that is what you are doing to your body when you ignore your bodyís warning lights and numb yourself with painkillers.

The migraine is one of the more painful types of headaches often leaving the sufferer in bed and immobilized. Most migraine sufferers notice symptoms that occur before the headache actually hits. These include visual changes, dizziness, muscle contraction, nausea, etc. The headache itself may last from a few minutes to days. Once the full-blown migraine hits, there are few painkillers that will have much effect.

As to the chiropractic approach to headaches, especially repetitive headaches, a first step is a good case history. Through the case history and consultation, we determine patterns and possible causes. A good example would be a car accident, which may have occurred sometime before the headaches began. This is followed by an exam and then if appropriate, x-rays. In the majority of cases, we find the problem usually is caused by one or more subluxations (misalignment of the vertebrae) in the neck.

When there is a subluxation in the cervical spine, which results in pressure on the nervous system, one of the most common symptoms is a headache. With some patients, the misalignment is so bad that things such as stress, extra tension, or small trauma are enough to set off a chain of events that result in a headache. The scientific evidence supporting the belief that spinal treatment is essential for those suffering from headaches is proliferating.

In conclusion, it is important to know that a headache should be treated as a warning sign. The more frequent or more severe the headache, the greater the warning sign. Simply numbing a headache with painkillers is not the answer. The warning signs are for your benefit; the body is telling you that something is wrong. Chiropractic can often be the answer to the problem, especially for the patient who has tried "lots of different cures" and not had any success.

TMJ Pain

(TemporoMandibular Joint)

Q. Dear Dr Wade,

Lately I have been suffering from a great deal of pain in my jaw. The pain is getting worse and now I am getting headaches. I was told I might have TMJ syndrome. What is this and can you help me?

A. TMJ syndrome refers to the temporomandibular joint. This is the joint where the jaw connects to the head. TMJ syndrome occurs when the joint is misaligned or malfunctioning in some way.

The symptoms of TMJ syndrome vary widely. One of the more common symptoms is an inability to move the jaw without pain. A clicking or popping sound may be heard even with no pain.

More severe symptoms may be headaches, even migraines; tinnitus (ringing in the ears); neck, face, shoulder or eye pain; vision trouble; or dizziness.

TMJ syndrome can be caused by a number of different things. Trauma may be involved, such as an auto accident or a fall that involves the head. A common cause is dental work, especially major dental work such as installing braces or a crown. When the mouth is open for a long period of time and has been numbed, the jaw may come out of its normal alignment, resulting in TMJ syndrome.

Ill-fitting braces, crowns, or dentures may also contribute to the problem.

Some of the standard dental or medical approaches to treating TMJ syndrome include muscle relaxants, painkillers, night guards or physical therapy. In severe cases surgery may be tried. Before resorting to surgery, it is a good idea to get a number of other opinions. Also make sure that one of those opinions is from a chiropractor that treats TMJ syndrome. Fortunately, I have found that in Malaysia, Doctors are less likely to perform Surgery on TMJ, than in America. It is my experience that surgery can usually be avoided.

In my clinic we regularly treat patients with TMJ syndrome. I often find the problem to be misalignment of the TMJ. We treat the problem by adjusting, or realigning the joint.

There may also be contributing factors such as vertebral subluxation in the cervical spine. Once the TMJ and cervical spine are adjusted, acupuncture and Physiotherapy may are also used to further speed up the healing.

The thing to understand is that TMJ syndrome is a problem can be helped with proper treatment. It is important for patients to search out alternative sources of treatment such as chiropractic, when they find they have this problem. Especially when it has not gotten better with standard forms of treatment.