Cephalalgia

Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine

University of North Texas Health Science Center

Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine

Cephalalgia

Stuart Williams, DO

Associate Professor

Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine

Case Presentation

A 32-year-old female presents to the office with a 10 year history of headaches. The headaches often begin with a sensation of flickering lights. Later she notes a throbbing sensation, usually right or left-sided. She also describes a pressure-like, tight sensation occurring in the occipital area.

Case Presentation

When the headaches are severe, bright lights and strange smells may provoke or worsen the intensity. The patient will then prefer a dark room.

A severe headache in this patient will last several hours. She also describes a chronic, dull achy headache which has lasted several days.

ROS

No history of head trauma, seizure disorder, or CNS infections.

Family history of similar headaches in mother, and maternal grandmother.

Physical Examination

WDWN female in NADAlert, oriented x 3Funduscopic – sharp discs, no hemorrhages,

or exudatesPERRLACN 2-12 intact

Musculoskeletal

Tenderness, tightness suboccipital muscles Elevated left 1st rib with surrounding spasm Increased spasm in the cervical

paravertebral mm. C3 – C5, RR SR

AA – RR OA – SR RL

T1 – T4 Increased sympathetic tone, loss of normal kyphotic curvature, SR RL

Diagnosis

Mixed

Tension / Migraine

Headaches

Differential Diagnosis

Migraine Headache Tension Headache Cluster Headache

Secondary Headache (Differential)

Glaucoma Cerebral Aneurysm Temporal Arteritis Optic Neuritis Carotid or Vertebral a. dissection TMJ Syndrome Herpes Zoster Meningitis/Encephalitis Sinusitis/Facial Osteomyelitis

Secondary Headache (Other Causes) Intracranial Hypertension Benign Intracranial Hypertension Exertional Headache (Lift, Cough, Strain) Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Myofascial Pain Syndrome Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Subdural Hematoma Viremia

Secondary Headache (Other Causes) Stroke Vasculitis Cervical Spine Disorder Dental Disorder Anemia Caffeine Withdrawal Fever Hypercapnea Hypoxia

Zomig, 2.5 mg at onset of headache

Repeat x1 in 2 hours if headache is not resolved Naprosyn 500 mg p.o. Bid. p.c.

Treatment

Very common in primary care

What can be done osteopathically?

Mixed Headache with associated Cervical Pain

Mixed Headache with associated Cervical Pain

Musculoskeletal SNS & PNS

Respiratory and Lymphatic

Headache

Most common headache is tension. Many patients with migraine headache have

coexisting tension headache.

Trigeminal Nucleus Caudalis

Major Relay Nucleus for head and neck pain. Vascular Headache (Migraine)

Nociceptors Vascular Nonnoxious Stimuli Vascular Pulsations

Tension Headache Nociceptors Myofascial Nonnoxious Stimuli Muscle Contractions

Trigeminal Nucleus Caudalis

Trigeminal Nucleus Caudalis

Trigeminal Nerve: Schema

Autonomic Nervous System Involvement Parasympathetic

Vagus Nerve (CN X)

Vagus Nerve: Schema

Cranial Nerve Nuclei in Brainstem: Schema

Cranial Nerves: Schema

Autonomic Nervous System Involvement Sympathetic

T1 – T4 ascend to cervical region

Autonomic Nervous System Involvement

Autonomic Nervous System Involvement

Sympathetic Nervous System

Areas to Treat Osteopathically

Sympathetic Lower Cervical Upper T-Spine Associated ribs and myofascial

attachments

Parasympathetic Suboccipital Region

Treatments Soft Tissue

Soft Tissue Cervical Spine Push-Pull Thoracic Spine Trapezius, Rhomboids

Treatments – Soft Tissue (Cervical) Push – Pull

Rhomboid Stretch

Treatments - Soft Tissue (Thoracic Paravertebral)

Treatments – Soft TissueSNS

Treatments – Soft TissueTrapezius and Rhomboid Stretch

Rhomboid Stretch

Treatments Muscle Energy Muscle Energy

Trapezius and related muscles Cervical Muscles

Treatments Muscle Energy (Trapezius)

Treatments – Soft TissueCervical

Treatments Suboccipital Inhibition Suboccipital Inhibition

Pads of fingers just beneath superior nuchal line in suboccipital soft tissue.

Weight of head rests on pads of fingers.

Treatments Suboccipital Inhibition

Treatments Suboccipital Inhibition

Suboccipital Decompression

Treatments 1st Rib Muscle Energy

1st Rib Muscle Energy Pads of thumbs on rib heads directly in front of

trapezius. Patient should shrug both shoulders towards ears

while taking a deep breath. Patient should release breath slowly while letting

shoulders down. Continue maintaining firm caudad pressure and

follow the rib caudally through exhalation maintaining new position. (Barrier)

Treatments1st Rib Muscle Energy

TreatmentsCervical Muscle Energy Diagnosis of Somatic Dysfunction

C-Spine Side-bending Rotate each segment

TreatmentsCervical Muscle Energy Cervical Muscle Energy (C2 – C7)

Induce side-bending to restrictive barrier with pad of thumb.

Flex or extend neck to localize to particular segment.

Have patient side-bend away from barrier. Side-bend patient to new restrictive barrier.

TreatmentsCervical Muscle Energy

TreatmentsCervical Muscle Energy

TreatmentsCervical Muscle Energy