Chronic Daily Headaches (CDH)

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November 11, 2013

These are headaches that are experienced more days than not-at least 15 days per month, for three months.  It is not a specific type of headache, but rather a term used to describe persistent forms of other types of headaches such as: Chronic Tension Headaches, Chronic Migraines, New Daily Persistent Headaches and Hemicrania Continua. 

Chronic Migraines

These are chronic, or long-term Migraines without an Aura, or prodrome experience.  They are present 15 days per month or more and must have at least two of the following symptoms:

  1. Affect only one side of your head
  2. Maintain a pulsating or throbbing sensation
  3. Cause moderate to severe pain
  4. Increased discomfort with routine physical exertion

In addition, they must contain either

  1. Nausea, vomiting or both
  2. Sensitivity to light and sounds

Chronic Tension-Type Headaches

These are chronic, or long-term tension headachds that are present for 15 days per month or more.  They must involve at least two of the following symptoms:

  1. Discomfort on both sides of your head
  2. Mild to Moderate pain
  3. squeezing or tightening pain, but not pulsating
  4. Not aggravated by routine physical activity

They must also cause no more than one of the following

  1. Mild Nausea
  2. Sensitivity to light and sounds

New Daily Persistent Headaches

These are similar to Tension Headaches, but are more accurately described as a headache that becomes constant within a few days of noticing your first headache symptom.  they must invovle at least two of the following symptoms:

  1. Discomfort on both sides of your head
  2. Mild to Moderate pain
  3. squeezing or tightening pain, but not pulsating
  4. Not aggravated by routine physical activity

They must also cause no more than one of the following

  1. Mild Nausea
  2. Sensitivity to light and sounds

Hemicrania Continua

These are constant headaches that cause pain on one side of the head only, without switching sides.  They involve more of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) than some of the other types of headaches, but are rare in occurrence.  They are:

  1. Daily and continuous with no painf-free periods
  2. Cause moderate pain but with spikes of severe pain
  3. Respond to anti-inflammatory medication
  4. They can become severe with similar symptoms to a migraine

They contain at least one of the following

  1. Tearing or redness on the affected side
  2. Nasal congestion or runny nose
  3. Drooping of the eyelid or constriction of the pupil

How can Chiropractic Neurology help?

Chiropractic Neurology is extremely effective in the treatment of these disorders as we look at all symptoms of the body to determine the most accurate diagnosis and effective treatment options.  Assessing the Neurological system, Musculoskeletal and Nutritional aspects are necessary for optimal results.  By retraining patterns of the neurological system via eye movements, cerebellum/vestibular retraining and postural strengthening we can create plasticity, or changes within the neuraxis of our bodies when combined with Chiropractic, Physical Rehabilitation and Nutrition.  In essence, a multi-modal approach to diagnosis and treatment is the most effective way to treat these disorders.