HEADACHES

DESCRIPTION

Headache categories include migraine with an aura, migraine without an aura, cluster headaches, tension headaches, and chronic daily headaches. Individuals also may suffer from headaches due to chronic sinus congestion.

HOW IUCCA UPPER CERVICAL CARE RELATES TO HEADACHES

While medical science has not determined the exact cause of headaches, recent research is pointing towards a trauma-induced origin for many types of headaches.1-20 Evidence supports that trauma (in particular mild concussive injury to the head, neck or upper back) increases the risk of headache onset.1-20 Researchers have labeled some headaches as being "cervicogenic" in origin (they are triggered by neck dysfunction).21-32 Following the trauma, headaches can be triggered immediately or they can take months or years to develop.

The purpose of IUCCA upper cervical care is to reverse the trauma-induced upper neck injury; thereby reducing irritation to the nerves and blood vessels that trigger headaches. While many headache sufferers recall specific traumas such as head injuries, auto accidents or falls, some do not. In certainipediatric cases, the injury can occur from the normal birthing process. An upper cervical examination utilizing Laser-aligned Radiography and Digital Infrared Imaging is necessary in each individual's case to assess whether an upper cervical injury is present and whether benefit from IUCCA upper cervical care can be achieved.

RESEARCH SUMMARY

By 2006, Dr. Elster has cared for approximately 200 patients with chronic headaches including migraines, cluster, tension, sinus, etc. All patients showed evidence of trauma-induced upper cervical injuries during examination (upper cervical radiographs and digital infrared imaging). Many patients recalled specific incidences of trauma (auto accidents, falls, concussions, whiplashes, sports injuries) that could have caused their upper cervical injuries while some did not.

CASE STUDIES

Headache Case Studies

ARTICLES AND PUBLICATIONS

'Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care for a Patient with Chronic Migraine Headaches with an Appendix Summarizing an Additional 100 Headache Cases" by Erin Elster, DC. Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research. August, 2003.

"Treatment of Bipolar, Seizure, and Sleep Disorders and Migraine Headaches Utilizing a Chiropractic Technique" by Erin L. Elster, DC. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. March 2004.

"Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care for a Nine-Year-Old Male with Tourette Syndrome, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Depression, Asthma, Insomnia, and Headaches: A Case Report" by Erin Elster, DC. Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research. July 2003.

"New Treatment Provides Freedom From Migraine Headaches" by Erin Elster, DC. Women's Magazine. October 1998.

"Drug-Free Alternative For Pediatric Headaches" by Erin Elster, DC. Boulder County Family Connection. July 2000.

REFERENCES
1. Solomon S. Posttraumatic migraine. Headache 1998 Nov-Dec; 38(10): 772-8.
2. Margulies S. The postconcussion syndrome after mild head trauma part II: migraine underdiagnosed? J Clin Neurosci 2000 Nov; 7(6): 495-9.
3. Lane JC. Migraine in the athlete. Semin Neurol 2000; 20(2): 195-200.
4. Bettucci D, Aguggia M, Bolamperti L. Chronic post-traumatic headache associated with minor cranial trauma: a description of cephalalgic patterns. Ital J Neurol Sci 1998 Feb; 19(1):20-4.
5. Lemka M. Headache as the consequence of brain concussion and contusion with closed head injuries in children. Neurol Neurochir Pol 1999; 33 Suppl 5:37-48.
6. De Souza JA, Moriera Filho PF, Jevoux CD. Chronic post-traumatic headache after mild head injuries. Arq Neuropsiquiatr 1999 Jun; 57(2A): 243-8.
7. Packard RC. Epidemiology and pathogenensis of posttraumatic headache. J Head Trauma Rehabil Feb; 14(1): 9-21.
8. Obelieniene D, Bovim G, Schrader H. Headache after whiplash: a historical cohort study outside the medico-legal context. Cephalgia 1998 Oct; 18(8): 559-64.
9. Keidel M, Diener HC. Post-traumatic headache. Nervenarzt 1997 Oct; 68(10): 769-77.
10. Gilkey SJ, Ramadan NM, Aurora TK. Cerebral blood flow in chronic posttraumatic headache. Headache 1997 Oct; 37(9): 583-7.
11. Packard RC, Ham LP. Pathogenesis of posttraumatic headache and migraine: a common headache pathway? Headache 1997 Mar; 37(3): 142-52.
12. Haas DC. Chronic post-traumatic headaches classified and compared with natural headaches. Cephalalgia 1996 Nov; 16(7): 486-93.
13. Plager DA, Purvin V. Migraine precipitated by head trauma in athletes. Am J Ophthalmol 1996 Aug; 122(2): 277-8.
14. Foletti G, Regli F. Characteristics of chronic headaches after whiplash injury. Presse Med 1995 Jul 1-8; 24(24): 1121-3.
15. Friedrichs ES. Migraine and childhood head trauma. Headache 1995 Mar; 35(3): 169.
16. Spierings EL, Foo DK, Young RR. Headaches in patients with traumatic lesions of the cervical spinal cord. Headache 1992 Jan; 32(1): 45-9.
17. Kennedy MP. Trauma-precipitated migrainous hemiparesis. Ann Emerg Med 1991 Sep; 20(9): 1023-4.
18. Sallis RE, Jones K. Prevalence of headaches in football players. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2000 Nov; 32(11): 1820-4.
19. McBeath JG, Nanda A. Roller coaster migraine: an underreported injury? Headache 2000 Oct; 40(9): 745-7.
20. Ferrari R. Whiplash-associated headache. Cephalalgia 1998 Oct; 18(8): 585-6.
21. Biondi DM. Cervicogenic headache: mechanisms, evaluation, and treatment strategies. J Am Osteopath Assoc 2000 Sep; 100(9 Suppl): S7-14.
22. Martelletti P. Proinflammtory pathways in cervicogenic headache. Clin Exp Theumatol 2000 Mar-Apr; 18(2 Suppl 19): S33-8.
23. Bono G, Antonaci F, Dario A. Unilateral headaches and their relationship with cervicogenic headache. Clin Exp Rheumatol 2000 Mar-Apr; 18 (2 Suppl 19): S11-5.
24. Sjaastad O, Fredriksen TA. Cervicogenic headache: criteria, classification and epidemiology. Clin Exp Rheumatol 2000 Mar0Apr; 18 (2 Suppl 19): S3-6.
25. Vincent MB, Luna RA. Cervicogenic headache: a comparison with migraine and tension type headaches. Cephalalgia 1999 Dec; 19 Suppl 25: 11-6.
26. Zwart JA. Neck mobility in different headache disorders. Headache 1997 Jan; 37(1): 6-11. 27. Nilsson N. The prevalence of cervicogenic headache in a random population sample of 20-59 year olds. Spine 1995 Sep 1; 20(17): 1884-8.
28. Vernon H, Steiman I, Hagino C. Cervicogenic dysfunction in muscle contraction headache and migraine: a descriptive study. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1993 Jul-Aug; 16(6): 428-31.
29. Edmeads J. Headache of cervical origin. Rev Prat 1990 Feb 11; 40(5): 399-402.
30. Fredriksen TA, Hovdal H, Sjaastad O. Cervicogenic headache: clinical manifestation. Cephalalgia 1987 Jun; 7(2): 147-60.
31. Leone M, D'Amico D, Grazzi L. Cervicogenic headache: a critical review of the current diagnostic criteria. Pain 1998 Oct; 78(1): 1-5.
32. Dvorak J, Walchli B. Headache in cervical syndrome. Ther Umsch 1997 Feb; 54(2): 94-7.

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