In my experience, headaches usually originate either from vasculogenic, neurogenic or myogenic origins. This video addresses a simple approach to identify the culprit muscle causing your patient's headache. If myogenic, that is.
Many intermittent headache sufferers have myogenic headaches. This is sometimes also referred to as cervicogenic headaches, but it's not a good term, as most vascular origins of headaches (TOS, jugular vein stenosis) also stem from cervical dysfunction. Myogenic headaches are generally (ie. almost always) caused by weak muscles in the neck or around the jaws. To diagnose, apply a steady pressure to the various muscles: masseter, pterygoid, temporalis, trapezius, levator scapula, SCM, suboccipitals, etc. Look for reproduction of headache within 10 seconds. If the pressure reproduces headache, ask: Is this the SAME headache that you're suffering from? If yes, you found the culprit. For masseter and temporalis, stop clenching the jaw. For virtually all the others, strengthen them.
25 июл 2024
