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.

What Kind of Headache Do I Have Part 2 | Yankton Chiropractor | Brian Olson DC

Last month, we discussed three types of headaches: Tension Headache (the most
common), Cluster Headaches (a vascular headache – less common, short duration
but REALLY painful), and Sinus Headaches. Migraine headaches were discussed the
month before last. In keeping with the theme, ONE more headache type will be
discussed: Rebound Headaches, followed by anti-inflammatory herbal remedies, and
finally, “Headache Triggers.”

Rebound headaches are the result of pain killer overuse. Of course, one would
think of pain killers like aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), or ibuprofen
(Advil, Motrin, Nuprin, etc.) as well as many prescription drugs as being
“friendly” and commonly reached for when a headache or any other ache or pain
occurs. But, as the old saying goes, “…too much of a good thing can be bad!”
These culprits, instead of helping, can actually hurt you! One theory for the
cause of rebound headaches is that too much of these meds can cause the brain to
shift into an excited state that triggers the headache. Another theory is that
these headaches result from too sudden of a drop of the medicine in the
bloodstream, which would only occur if the medication was being taken at a high
dose for a relatively long period of time. According to the Migraine Research
Foundation, EVERY 10 SECONDS, someone in the United States goes to the emergency
room with a migraine or headache due to the intense pain, severe nausea or
dehydration, drug interactions, or side effects from headache medications! DON’T
BE ONE OF THEM!!!

As mentioned last month, PLEASE FIRST try an anti-inflammatory herb like ginger
(Zingiber officinale), turmeric (Curcuma longa), Feverfew, passionflower
(Passiflora alata), Peppermint (menthe piperita), ginko (ginko biloba), caffeine
(Coffea Arabica), black or green tea, Valerian (Valeriana officinalis),
Coriander Seed (Coriandrum sativum), Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis), Lavender Oil
(Lavandula angustifolia), Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), Lime or Linden
(Tilia spp.), horseradish (Armoracia rusticana), honeysuckle (Lonicera
japonica), and more!

So what triggers headaches? Here are a few of the more commonly researched
triggers: weight [in females, a BMI of 30 (mild obesity) = 35% greater risk, and
BMI of 40 (“severe obesity”) = 80%]; personality (traits such as rigidity,
reserve, and obsessivity); “let-down” or weekend headaches (breaking your
routine, like staying in bed until noon); odors and fumes (e.g., fresh paint);
dehydration (drink water AND eat fruits / veggies to get more water); skipping
meals (hunger is a common trigger); physical exertion (certain sports like
running, weight lifting); too much caffeine (small amounts help, but too much
can trigger headaches); inactivity (sedentary lifestyles trigger – 30 min./day
cardio, 5x/week is ideal); sleep deprivation (those averaging six hours have
more frequent & severe headaches); and certain foods like red wine, beer, MSG,
chocolate, aged cheese, sauerkraut, and processed meats like pepperoni, ham, and
salami. Foods that can reduce headaches include those high in magnesium—spinach,
tofu, oat bran, barely, fish oil, olive oil, white beans, sunflower, and pumpkin
seeds. In addition to GOOD CHIROPRACTIC CARE, headache management requires a
multidimensional approach for best results!

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 www.olsonchiropracticcenter.com for more information.

"My Accident Was 2 Years Ago... Could that Cause My Neck Pain Today?"

The short answer is yes. But let’s look at how the neck is injured in whiplash and why a trauma from years earlier can produce symptoms today. Even in more moderate motor vehicle collisions with substantial car damage, symptoms rarely come on the day of the injury. When symptoms do occur immediately, this is a sign that the injury to the neck was more severe. In most accidents, we initially feel a bit shaken up and shocked more than anything else. When the vehicle has substantial damage, this can completely occupy our thoughts. How are we going to drive to work the next day? We may not think to see a doctor immediately because a more pressing concern is to get the car into the shop and arrange for a rental. If a pain in the neck begins, we take a few pain pills such as ibuprofen and the pain seems much better, even cured. But whiplash is much less straightforward than a simple tight muscle from over exertion. Whiplash causes the neck bones to displace from the stretched ligaments and discs. Over months the bones gradually creep further into the direction of the damaged ligaments. Since gravity is working all of the time, the tendency over time is for the misalignments to get worse. Once a critical threshold is reached, the nerves become irritated and pain develops. An initial little problem has now become much worse because the neck has healed in this abnormal position. The scar formation that occurs after injury is now holding the neck in an abnormal position. When injury occurs we may adapt or compensate to the abnormal position. But over time the limits to this compensation are passed, producing pain. Because of the scar formation that develops after injury, the joints of the spine may not move normally. To compensate for this limited motion at some joints, others have to take up the slack. These joints then become hypermobile, producing irritation to the nerves and spinal cord. The hypermobility is produced by stretched-out ligaments. As months, and even years, pass the stretched ligaments become even more stretched due to the effects of gravity and the movements of our head in every day life. The athlete may notice these changes right away because their physical performance is something they are very accustomed to. In someone with a more sedentary life-style, the neck pain, stiffness, or headaches may come on months or even years after the injury. Visit www.olsonchiropracticcenter.com for more information.

Headaches... What Is The Spinal Link?

Headaches are so common that we rarely question what the cause is. In the case of headache, it can be something as simple as jet lag to something truly ominous, such as a brain tumor. If you suffer form headaches, it is important that you get the diagnosis right. Remember that head pain is the symptom-it is not the actual problem. It is a way that your body gives a signal that you have a problem. So it does require some investigation. Despite what the commercials say on TV, just diagnosing headache as a problem and driving to the drug store for a bottle of pills is not the solution. Yet many of us suffer from daily headaches for years and years and never think…is my headache being caused by a lack of these pills in my diet? In chiropractic, we look at this problem differently from what you see in a drug ad. First, you need to have a diagnosis and determine the cause for your head pain. Once the cause is determined, then truly corrective action can take place. We pay special attention to how your spine moves and its posture, especially the neck region. Many different research studies have shown that spinal sprains and injuries can produce head pain. And randomized clinical trials have shown that when these spinal problems are addressed with adjustments, the headaches largely disappear…and without the side effects commonly seen with prescription medications. But, every case is different. It’s impossible to know without an examination if you have a spinal problem and whether this is the cause for your headache. Our clinic always offers complimentary in-clinic and phone consultations with a Doctor of Chiropractic. If you are not getting your headaches under control and seemingly endless consumption of pills is not doing the trick, then why not take a different and more natural approach to your health. There is no headache bone in your spine or a button the chiropractor can push to make the headache go away. We generally find that once the spinal posture and motion is improved, the headaches go away on their own. It can take one visit or several, but we generally see improvements in a short period time. Visit www.olsonchiropracticcenter.com for more information.