Tag Archives: headaches

Managing Somatic Tinnitus

13 Aug

Tinnitus is the perception of sound when no external sound is present. People often
describe it as ringing, buzzing, hissing, or humming in one or both ears. While tinnitus is
frequently associated with hearing-related conditions, not all tinnitus originates solely from
the auditory system. A form known as somatic tinnitus is influenced by musculoskeletal
factors beyond the ear, particularly the neck and jaw.
Some individuals notice that the volume or pitch of their tinnitus changes when they
clench their jaw, turn their head, or apply pressure to muscles in the face or neck. Others find
that their tinnitus becomes more noticeable during episodes of neck pain, jaw discomfort, or
temporomandibular joint (TMJ) flare-ups. The ability to modify the sound through
movement is considered one of the strongest indicators that musculoskeletal factors may be
involved.
Researchers believe this connection exists because nerves from the neck, jaw, and
face communicate with areas of the brain that help process sound. One of these regions,
called the dorsal cochlear nucleus, receives information from both the auditory system and
nearby sensory structures. When abnormal signals arise from irritated joints, tight muscles,
or dysfunctional movement patterns, they may influence how sound is perceived. Common
contributors to somatic tinnitus include TMJ dysfunction, cervical spine dysfunction,
whiplash injuries, forward-head posture, teeth grinding, and chronic muscle tension in the
neck and shoulders.
Presently, there is no widely adopted, standalone international treatment guideline
specifically for somatic tinnitus. However, expert reviews, consensus papers, and tinnitus
guidelines generally recommend a thorough examination of the neck, jaw, posture, and
surrounding muscles. If potential musculoskeletal factors are identified, a course of treatment
to resolve these issues is advised to see if tinnitus symptoms are reduced or resolved.
Chiropractors are trained to evaluate musculoskeletal conditions, identify findings
that may require referral, and provide conservative care for disorders affecting the spine and
related structures. For patients whose tinnitus changes with jaw movement, neck movement,
posture, or muscle tension, a chiropractic evaluation may help determine whether a
musculoskeletal component is contributing to their symptoms and whether conservative care
is appropriate as part of a broader management plan.

Brent Binder, D.C.

4909 Louise Dr. Suite 102

Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

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How the Neck Can Contribute to Headaches

7 Jul

Headaches are one of the most common health complaints and can have many
different causes, including stress, vascular conditions, sinus problems, dehydration,
medication overuse, and sleep disturbances. In recent years, there has also been growing
recognition that the neck may play an important role in some headache conditions, either as a
primary source of pain or as a contributing factor.
One common mechanism is referred pain from fixation of the upper cervical joints.
The nerves from the upper neck share connections with pain-processing areas that also
receive signals from the head and face. As a result, irritation in the upper cervical joints may
cause pain that is felt in the temples, forehead, behind the eyes, or at the base of the skull.
Another possible contributor is irritation of the occipital nerves, which travel from the
upper neck into the scalp. Compression or irritation of these nerves may lead to pain that
radiates from the base of the skull upward into the head. Some patients describe sharp,
aching, or burning pain in this region.
Postural and biomechanical stress can also affect the neck and contribute to
headaches. Prolonged computer use, forward head posture, repetitive strain, poor
ergonomics, and extended time looking down at phones or tablets may increase stress on the
cervical spine and surrounding muscles—particularly the suboccipital muscles, upper
trapezius, and sternocleidomastoid muscles. Dysfunction or tension in these tissues may refer
pain into the head and contribute to tension-type headaches or feelings of pressure around the
scalp or eyes.
Because issues affecting the neck can play a role in several types of headaches, a
thorough chiropractic examination may be advised for patients with headaches who don’t
respond well to usual care or who are interested in a non-pharmacological option. Doctors of
chiropractic are trained to evaluate the cervical spine, muscles, joints, posture, and movement
patterns that may contribute to symptoms. Treatment may include spinal manipulation or
mobilization, soft tissue therapies, stretching, exercise recommendations, postural guidance,
and ergonomic advice. In many cases, care focuses on improving neck mobility, reducing
muscular tension, restoring function, and helping patients better manage contributing
lifestyle factors.

Brent Binder, D.C.

4909 Louise Dr.

Suite 102 Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

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Tips to Help Prevent Episodic Headaches

4 Jun

Headaches are among the most common physical ailments worldwide, with about half of
adults experiencing at least one episode each year and roughly 1 in 6 reporting a headache on
any given day. Fortunately, for most people, headaches are not a persistent issue but instead
occur episodically—that is, they arise for a short period of time and then resolve. In broad terms,
three major contributors to episodic headaches include dehydration, stress, and muscle tension.
Dehydration is a condition in which the body does not have enough fluids to support
normal physiological functions. This can lead to reduced blood volume, slowing the delivery of
oxygen to tissues and the removal of cellular waste. It can also disrupt electrolyte balance, affect
nerve signaling and muscle function, impair temperature regulation, and alter brain function.
Together, these changes can contribute to the development of a headache that may persist until
hydration is restored. To reduce the likelihood of dehydration-related headaches, drink water
consistently throughout the day and limit excessive caffeine intake. It’s also important not to rely
solely on thirst as a signal, as mild dehydration may already be present by the time thirst
develops.
Stress activates the body’s fight-or-flight response, increasing cortisol levels and causing
muscles to tighten in preparation for potential injury. While this response is helpful in short-term
emergencies, ongoing stress in daily life can lead to increased pain sensitivity and sustained
muscle tension in the shoulders, neck, and scalp. This combination can create the conditions for
tension-type headaches. Managing stress through regular physical activity, taking breaks during
the day, and practicing relaxation techniques such as controlled breathing or meditation may help
keep these headaches at bay.
Muscle tension headaches are frequently associated with poor posture, particularly
forward head posture, which places additional strain on the muscles and joints of the neck and
upper back. This is especially common among individuals who spend long periods working at
desks or using phones and tablets. Over time, this strain can lead to tightness and discomfort that
radiates into the head. Maintaining proper posture, positioning screens at eye level, and taking
regular breaks to stretch and move can help minimize this type of headache.
If these strategies do not reduce the frequency, duration, or intensity of headaches, it may
be appropriate to consult a healthcare provider, including a doctor of chiropractic. A thorough
review of medical history and current symptoms, along with a physical examination, can help
identify underlying musculoskeletal factors that may be contributing to recurring headaches.

Brent Binder, D.C.

4909 Louise Dr. Suite 102

Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 (717) 697-1888

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Chiropractic Care for Headache Relief

4 May

Statistically, up to 20% of adults experience frequent headaches, with approximately 1–
4% reporting headaches on more than 15 days per month. While there are many types of
headaches—and within each subtype, multiple underlying causes and triggers—research
suggests that musculoskeletal factors can contribute to certain headache presentations. What
would a doctor of chiropractic look for during the initial visits to determine whether a course of
chiropractic care could benefit the headache sufferer?
The first step is to take a patient history that explores past and present health, as well as
details specific to the chief complaint—headaches, in this case. The responses help determine
whether the headache pattern is consistent with musculoskeletal referral from the neck or
surrounding tissues. Important clues include band-like pressure around the head; pain that begins
in the neck or base of the skull and may spread to the temples, forehead, or behind the eyes;
headaches triggered by prolonged computer work, poor posture, neck movement, stress, or jaw
clenching; pain that worsens after desk work or driving; improvement with massage, stretching,
or heat; and co-occurring neck stiffness or shoulder tightness.
If the patient presents with red flags—such as a new type of headache after age 50, the
worst headache of their life, recent head trauma, signs of infection (e.g., fever), or neurological
symptoms such as weakness, numbness, or vision changes—they may be referred for urgent
medical evaluation.
The history guides the physical examination, during which the chiropractor assesses
range of motion of the cervical spine—particularly the upper cervical segments—for restrictions,
asymmetries, or reproduction of symptoms. They will also palpate soft tissues in the head and
neck, including the suboccipital muscles, upper trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, temporalis,
masseter, and levator scapulae, to identify tenderness or trigger points and determine whether
these reproduce the patient’s headache. Orthopedic testing and postural assessment further help
identify musculoskeletal contributors.
The specific treatment approach varies by patient, but generally involves conservative
therapies aimed at restoring joint mobility and reducing muscle tension. This may include spinal
manipulation or mobilization, soft tissue therapy, trigger point techniques, physiotherapy
modalities, targeted exercises, and postural education. If a musculoskeletal disorder is a primary
contributor—as is often the case in tension-type or cervicogenic headaches—patients may
experience significant improvement or resolution. For other headache types, such as migraines,
care may help reduce the frequency, intensity, and duration of episodes.

Brent Binder, D.C.

4909 Louise Dr. Suite 102

Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 (717) 697-1888

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A Role for Chiropractic in Managing Chronic Rhinosinusitis

6 Apr

Chronic rhinosinusitis is an inflammatory condition of the nasal and sinus lining that lasts
longer than twelve weeks. It’s estimated that roughly 10–12% of adults in the United States are living
with chronic rhinosinusitis at any given time, with many experiencing symptoms for years. Managing
the condition can be challenging, as it’s driven by a mix of contributing factors that may include
chronic inflammation of the sinus lining, immune dysregulation, lingering microbes, structural
factors, and environmental exposures such as air pollution and cigarette smoke. Because the
accumulation of fluid and inflammatory material in the sinuses is a key component of the disease
process, treatments that help facilitate drainage may provide symptom relief. To that extent, therapies
provided by doctors of chiropractic may have a role in caring for some patients with chronic
rhinosinusitis.
Manual therapies performed by chiropractors can help address fluid build-up both directly
and indirectly. Specific techniques such as lymphatic drainage use gentle manual pressure and
stretching to stimulate lymphatic vessels that help move excess fluid out of tissues, which may
reduce pressure and congestion. Tightness in the muscles and soft tissues that attach to the head and
neck can also restrict normal fluid movement. For this reason, myofascial release, mobilization, and
manipulative therapies aimed at restoring normal motion in the face, head, neck, and upper back may
be beneficial for some individuals.
This potential benefit is illustrated in a case series involving 14 patients with chronic
rhinosinusitis who also experienced craniofacial pain. Those who received manual therapy to address
craniofacial dysfunction over a seven-week period reported improvements in both craniofacial pain
and the severity of their sinus symptoms, while patients in a comparison group that did not receive
hands-on care reported no meaningful improvement.
Additional studies suggest that manual therapies may help improve sinus drainage, reduce
facial pain and pressure, enhance nasal airflow, and improve quality of life—particularly when
chronic rhinosinusitis is accompanied by neck muscle tension or headaches associated with cervical
spine dysfunction. Other reports indicate that some patients who have not responded to conventional
medical management, including those who have undergone sinus surgery or who wish to avoid
surgery, may experience symptom relief with conservative manual therapy treatment.
While current evidence does not support chiropractic care as a first-line treatment for chronic
rhinosinusitis, manual therapies provided by doctors of chiropractic may play a supportive role as
part of a comprehensive care plan. This may be especially relevant for patients who have difficulty
managing symptoms with usual care alone. Individuals interested in this approach should speak with
their healthcare provider to determine whether a trial of chiropractic care may be appropriate for their
situation.

Brent Binder, D.C.

4909 Louise Dr. Suite 102

Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 (717) 697-1888

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Neck Disorders and Their Connection to Migraines

20 Oct

It’s estimated that about 38 million American adults suffer from migraines and nine-in-ten report that to some degree, migraines affect their ability to carry out their normal social, leisure, work, and everyday activities. Unfortunately, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all treatment for migraines as the condition is not well understood and management tends to focus on lifestyle modifications to avoid potential triggers for a patient’s particular migraine profile. But what if a potential key to managing migraines wasn’t in the head at all? What if the neck had a role to play in migraine headaches?

A 2015 study found that 87% of chronic migraine headache patients also have neck pain. Compared with the non-headache sufferers the researchers questioned, individuals with migraines were roughly three-to-four times more likely to have neck pain. To highlight this relationship between the neck and migraines, a 2023 study looked at 295 migraine patients and found that more than half (51.9%) also had concurrent neck pain. Further analysis showed that migraine sufferers with concurrent neck pain reported more severe migraine symptoms, and the more disabling their neck pain, the worse their migraines. This makes some sense as the trigeminal nerve, which helps innervate the face and has been linked to migraines, exits the spinal cord through the upper cervical spine and travels into the face. In addition to irritation of the trigeminal nerve having a part to play in the migraine process, previous studies have identified a link between migraines and impaired cervical range of motion, reduced neck muscle endurance, and the presence of trigger points in the neck muscles. 

The good news is that doctors of chiropractic have a number of tools in their treatment repertoire for addressing these issues: spinal manipulation, mobilization, myofascial release, and other manual therapies to dry needling, neck-specific exercise, postural training, dietary recommendations, and more. It all depends on the patient’s unique presentation. This approach appears to be effective, as demonstrated in a recent three-armed trial that compared spinal manipulative therapy, sham manual treatment, and usual medical care after a three-month treatment period with follow-ups at three, six, and twelve months. The results favored chiropractic care at all time points. A systematic review of 13 studies published in 2022 concluded that mobilization techniques, trigger point therapy, manual lymphatic drainage, massage, and stretching techniques are each effective interventions for migraine headache patients, especially when used in combination. Other studies have demonstrated that addressing trigger points in the neck and other disorders in the cervical spine can result in reduced frequency, intensity, and duration of migraine episodes.

While managing migraines may require a comprehensive approach that includes exercise, diet, and lifestyle modifications, it’s clear that disorders of the neck can contribute to, if not be an underlying cause of, migraines and should be addressed. If you suffer from migraines, especially if you also have neck pain or stiffness, consult your doctor of chiropractic. 

Pain Relief Chiropractic

4909 Louise Dr

Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

(717) 697-1888

Member of Chiro-Trust.org 

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