I found an interesting article the other day written by a Chiropractor and describing how myofascial trigger points can mimic signs and symptoms of a neurological disease.
The case describes the patient as the following.
“A 44-year-old female, an office manager for a dentist for eight years, was referred by an EENT specialist with a chief complaint of headaches (HA), with a six- to eight-year history of HA and facial pain. Although all of her symptoms were usually on the right side of the face and head, the HA occasionally became bilateral when very intense. The facial pain was always located on the right. Once started, her symptoms lasted anywhere from four to ten hours. The only thing she remembers that may have triggered the onset was dental work done within six months of the start of the symptoms-several fillings and a root canal, all on the right side. Initially, the symptom was a pain in the upper molars, which appeared to be another cavity. Over the next few years, however, the pain developed into HA and facial pain.”
The article goes on to describe the different types of neuralgias that most closely resemble the symptoms experienced by the patient. Eventually myofascial triggers points were determined to be the cause.
“The patient was treated four times with adjustments to the cervical spine and intra-oral ischemic compression of the pterygoids. After the second treatment, her headaches and facial symptoms had disappeared. Eight months later, the headaches have not returned.”
To learn more and read the full article by Ronald Henninger which appeared in the Journal of the American Chiropractic Association in June 2002 visit the following link on the signs that mimic neurological disease.
Very interesting post. I did not know that a root canal could trigger headaches.
Thanks for the post. I also read similar article in the past that realigning a portion of the spine reduces the frequency of headaches. If it does, well, it’s a good news for millions of migraine sufferers just like me. Best wishes.