Chiropractic and Sinus Headaches | Yankton Chiropractor | Brian Olson DC

Sinus headaches refer to pain in the head typically in and around the face. Most
of us are knowledgeable about two of our four sinuses: the frontal (forehead)
and maxillary (our “cheek bones”). The other two sinuses (called ethmoid and
sphenoid) are much less understood. As chiropractors, many patients ask us about
sinus problems, as all of us have had a stuffy nose due to a cold and have felt
this pain in our face and head. Those of us who have suffered from sinus
infections REALLY know how painful sinusitis can get! This month, let’s take a
look at our sinuses and what we can do to self-manage the problem.
First, an anatomy lesson… As stated above, there are four paired, or sets, of
sinuses in our head: Maxillary: Pain/pressure in the cheekbones, sometimes
referring pain to the teeth. These drain sideways (if you lay on your side, the
side “up” drains down into the downside maxillary sinus and into the nose).
Frontal: Pain/pressure in the forehead. These drain downward (when we’re
upright, looking straight ahead). Ethmoidal: Pain/pressure between and/or behind
the eyes. These drain when we lean forwards. Sphenoidal: Cause pain/pressure
behind the eyes, top of the head and/or back of the head (which can be extreme).
These drain best when lying face pointing down towards the floor, but they can
be stubborn to drain!
Sinusitis, or rhinosinusitis, by definition is an inflammation of the sinus
lining (mucous membrane) and is classified as follows: Acute – a new infection
which can last up to four weeks and are divided into two types: severe and
non-severe; Recurrent acute – four or more separate acute episodes within one
year; Subacute – an infection lasting 4-12 weeks; Chronic infections lasting >12
weeks; and Acute exacerbation of chronic sinusitis – recurring bouts of chronic
sinusitis.
One cause of sinusitis can include an “URI” (upper respiratory tract infections)
most often in the form of a virus (such as rhinovirus—there are over 99 types
have been identified, or better known as “the common cold”). Bacteria can also
cause a sinus infection. These infections tend to last longer and can follow a
viral infection. A third cause is a fungal infection. These are more common in
diabetic and other immune deficient patients. Chemical irritants such as
cigarette smoke and chlorine fumes can also trigger sinusitis. Chronic sinusitis
can be caused by anything that irritates the sinuses for >12 weeks (viruses,
bacteria, environmental irritants, tooth infections, and more). Allergies are
also a common cause of sinusitis whether they are environmental and/or
food/chemical induced.
Chiropractic care for sinusitis includes primarily symptomatic care with sinus
drainage techniques such as facial and cranial bone manipulation/mobilization,
lymphatic pump and drainage techniques, instruction in self-stretch of the
sinuses (such as an outward pull of the cheek bones in different positions of
the head), nutritional counseling (such as 1000mg of vitamin C every 2-4 hours)
and anti-inflammatory herbs and vitamins (see prior Health Updates), cervical
and mid-back manipulation, training in nasal saline rinsing (Nasaline, Nettie
Pot), moist heat (towels, steam), and of course, chicken soup! Co-management
with your primary care doc may be needed at times, if medications are warranted.

We realize you have a choice in whom you consider for your health care provision
and we sincerely appreciate your trust in choosing our service for those needs. 
If you, a friend, or family member requires care for headaches, we would be
honored to render our services.  Visit http://www.olsonchiropracticcenter.com for more information.

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Cervicogenic Headache - Results of Electrical Nerve Stimulation vs. Manipulation

A recent study (Li C, Xiu-ling Z, Hong D, Yue-qiang T, Hong-sheng Z. Comparative study on effects of manipulation treatment and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS] on patients with cervicogenic headache J Chin Integrat Med 2007;5(4)DOI:10.3736/jcm20070408) compared alternative treatments for patients suffering from cervicogenic headaches, headaches related to/caused by your neck. Patients will typically have pain with neck motion and also limited mobility. There may also be a history of a neck injury such as a whiplash or head trauma. The study of seventy patients was randomized to minimize bias. Patients either had TENS (nerve stimulation) or manipulations. They were given treatments every other day for forty days (about 20 visits). After treatments, patients’ pain scores were compared. The group receiving manipulations had significant reductions in the headache pain score, the frequency (how often) of headaches, and the duration of the headaches. There was a 94.5% response in the manipulation group compared to 64.5% in those patients getting nerve stimulation. If you get headaches after your neck begins to give you trouble (pain, stiffness), then this could indicate you have a cervicogenic headache. Also, many patients do not fit neatly into categories that scientists and doctors conjure up. Many patients with migraines and tension-type headaches will complain of neck pains and problems. These types of headaches also respond favorably to chiropractic care applied to mechanical problems/subluxations in the neck when studied in randomized clinical trials. There are also fewer side effects when compared to drug treatments. In Chiropractic, we direct treatment to the cause-the mechanical problem/subluxation in your neck. Drugs and surgery are ineffective options for these mechanical-types of problems. Chiropractic care has a low-risk safety profile, especially when compared to long-term drug use or surgery. As seen in the study above, electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to block pain is relatively safe, but it also appears less effective than manipulations in combating headache pain from the neck. After a thorough diagnosis, including x-rays, we can determine if it is indeed a neck problem that may be causing your headaches. We study small changes in the alignment of the vertebrae, as well the posture of the neck curve. Mobility tests are used to see if the joints are moving fully and symmetrically. Visit www.olsonchiropracticcenter.com for more information.