Anaesthetising Neck Structures Cease the Hemiplegic Aura of Migraine - By: Dean Watson

In a recent report anaesthetising selected neck structures ceased the hemiplegic aura in a two migraine patients.

This patients’ auras comprised slight weakness, tingling and or numbness involving one side of the body, and face. Within 5 minutes of injecting a local anaesthetic the auras ceased and were not followed by their usual pain states.

I have on two occasions prevented auras from developing, in fact they ceased within 5 minutes after mobilising the upper cervical spine – and furthermore the usual pain did not occur. My experience and what is reported in this case report suggests that abnormal information from a neck disorder could be sensitising the brainstem and suppressing it prevents the migraine occurring.

I have mentioned temporary reproduction of familiar pain as a key diagnostic sign for cervicogenic headache; in a significant proportion of patients suffering migraine with aura it is also possible to temporarily reproduce their auras with subsequent lessening (as the examination technique is sustained) when examining the upper neck – once again this is a good sign and confirms cervicogenic factors as the source of sensitisation.

It is not necessary for confirmation to have invasive (nerve block) procedures …

Cheers

Dean

YourHeadacheSoultions.co.uk is one voice of the Watson Headache Institute.

The Watson Headache Institute was established to increase the awareness of cervicogenic (neck) disorders in headache and migraine by imparting my (and that of others) clinical experience and knowledge; to present and discuss past and present relevant research and to undertake and support rigorous clinical and scientific research in this specialty.

Appropriate and up-to-date knowledge is self-empowering; I believe that every headache sufferer has the right to know their headache diagnosis as precisely as possible (and what it means), to know the nature of their headache disorder, its outcome and possible types of treatment.

What has yet to gain acceptance is my (and that of others) belief, supported by my unparalleled clinical experience and a significant body of international research, that it is incorrect to consider headache and migraine types as totally different entities and that cervicogenic (neck) disorders can be instrumental in the headache and migraine process.

Although Physiotherapy, Chiropractic and Osteopathy are different disciplines, we are supporters of the idea that headache and migraine sufferers, no matter what their diagnoses, can be helped to live their lives more effectively through appropriate neck treatment. However, because treatment of the neck does not fit the medical model of headache and migraine, the model has demonstrated little interest in exploring this as an option. It is essential that all factors, which have the potential to sensitise the brainstem, be investigated equally. Currently this is not the situation – the neck is largely disregarded.

So, whilst YourHeadacheSolutions.com is also about Education, it is also a directory for headache and migraine sufferers to source practitioners who have a particular interest in and are skilled in examination of the neck as a source of your headache or migraine – to create a more comprehensive approach and provide an alternative, medication-free treatment.

About the Author

Dean Watson of YourHeadache Solutions, Consultant Headache and Migraine Physiotherapist; Adjunct Lecturer, Masters Program, School of Physiotherapy, University of South Australia; PhD Candidate, Murdoch University, Western Australia. On his site you can search all topics about headache migraine, headache treatment, migraine treatment, headache causes, migraine causes headache symptoms and more.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Dean-Watson/53824

Additional Articles From - Home | Health & fitness | Migraines