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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    How can I fix my chronic headaches following a neck injury?

    Related Topics
    Back & Neck Pain Migraines & Headaches Neurology
    Hi, I hit my neck against the bedhead more than a year ago, and since then I have been having chronic headaches, cognitive impairment, blurred vision, among many others.

    I did a brain MRI and brain angio which were normal, and I'm doing a cervical MRI next week. What treatments should I follow, other diagnosis tests should I do, and how are my chances of getting better ?.
    • 2 answers
    • Dr Danny Diab
    • Sandra McFaul
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    Thanks

    Dr Danny Diab

    Chiropractor

    Dr Danny Diab is situated at Proactive Spine & Sports Medicine in Narellan NSW. His clinical interests extend far beyond the traditional neck and back … View Profile

    Chronic headaches can be very worrying and also frustrating when you cannot find a diagnosis. Headaches can have various causes, and it is great that the MRI and brain angiogram have ruled out any sinister causes.

    However another potential trigger of headaches can be dysfunction of the upper cervical spine (neck). The nerves from the upper neck communicate with the nerves in the head, and so any irritation or dysfunction of these joints can contribute to headaches.
    You have described that you hit your neck against the bedhead over a year ago. This may have been enough force to disrupt the proper function of the delicate joints in your neck.

    There are a number of other factors, such as your ages, stress levels, occupation, sleep posture and habits, any other recent or previous accidents or traumas etc that need to be determined as they may contribute to the headaches.
    My suggestion would be to consult a local chiropractor who would perform a thorough history taking and physical examination to determine the exact cause of your headaches.

    If the neck is found to be contributing to the headaches, the aim of treatment would be to improve function and stability of the neck and correcting any muscle imbalances. Very effective treatment options include spinal manipulation, muscle release techniques, dry needling, and corrective spinal and postural exercises.
    As a chiropractor, I have seen numerous patients who suffer from very similar symptoms to yours, and luckily the majority respond very well to chiropractic treatment.

    Danny Diab
    Camden Chiropractor

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  • Sandra McFaul

    Physiotherapist

    Do you suffer from chronic lower back pain or neck pain? Based in SYDNEY, Sandra is 1 of ONLY 15 Physiotherapists in Australia with ADVANCED … View Profile

    What treatment should you seek?  I would recommend a mechanical assessment of your neck from a trained McKenzie Method Physiotherapist. 

    Good news that your tests so far are normal. 

    One the McKenzie Method physio assess you, they will be able to give you an indication of how long it will take to get better.  The key thing they will help you with is specific exercises and postural advice.  You need to shown how to manage this problem with active treatment, rather than relying on passive treatment (where people do things to you.)

    GOOGLE…. The McKenzie Method to find out more.

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