On this page you will find information on these topics: (click to jump to the section)
Tension headache
The most common form of headache is tension headache. The exact causes of tension headaches are not known, but neck and shoulder problems and tension, as well as increased mental strain and stress, are likely to play a big role. Most commonly, tension headaches occur as a rim-like or collar-like ache on the temples, on the top of the head, or in the occipital region. The ache can be one-sided or bilateral and may increase in intensity towards the evening.
Symptoms
- a rim or collar-like headache that can occur on the temples, on the top of the head or in the occipital region.
- single or bilateral pain
- increasing aches towards the evening
- Neck pain
- dizziness
Therapy
The treatment of tension headaches should be individually planned in order to minimize the triggers below. Manual therapy can ease muscle tension in the head, neck and shoulder area and thus also relieve neck movement restrictions and headaches. Increasing physical activity in a way that suits the individual also plays an important role. Checking the function of the TMJ and treating any tension in the masticatory muscles can also greatly ease the effort.
If necessary, drug therapy is used for tension headaches.
In Turku, the focus on tension headaches is focused on:
Chiropractor Jussi Järvinen, Osteopath Petri Palviainen and Orthopedic Osteopath Riku Rantanen.
Migraine
Migraine is the most common neurological disease in adulthood. Migraine causes headache attacks, which occur in one in ten, in women three times more often than in men. Triggers for migraines may include factors related to light, stress, sleep, eyes or physical exertion, and bodily dysfunction. In general, migraine is divided into migraine with aura or migraine without aura.
Symptoms
- frequent one-sided throbbing headache
- Photosensitivity
- nausea & vomiting
Therapy
Migraines can be diagnosed by a doctor, and often treatment focuses on drug therapy. In addition to this, migraines can also be treated with other means, such as therapeutic training and manual therapy, which ensures that the muscles and joints of the jaw, neck and shoulder area function normally. There is evidence that manual therapy combined with training may be as effective as some medical treatments in some places. This is individual, and it is yet to be determined for which more specific type of migraines manual therapy works best.
In KiHy Turku, the treatment of migraines is focused on:
Chiropractor Jussi Järvinen, Osteopath Petri Palviainen and Orthopedic Osteopath Rku Rantanen.
Neck headache
Neck headache is a fairly common ailment, the causes of which are often associated with the top three neck vertebrae and stiffness in this area, as well as dysfunctions. Neck headaches may radiate pain to the temples, the occipital region or even the eye area, and thus it may be challenging to distinguish neck-related headaches from tension headaches and migraines. However, well-managed differential diagnostics, limited neck mobility and neck pain may help to distinguish between these.
Symptoms
- headache on the temples / occipital region or in the eye area
- pain in the shoulder or hand on the same side
- limited range of motion of the neck
The immobility or movement of the neck may be a provocative factor for headaches. Also, palpation at the reception may provoke a headache and make it easier to find the "cause". However, it must be remembered that a person is a biopsychosocial entity and general physical and mental load can create similar headaches.
Neck headaches can be treated with medication, but also with manual therapy and exercise.
In Turku, neck headaches are treated by:
Chiropractor Jussi Järvinen, Osteopath Petri Palviainen and Orthopedic Osteopath Riku Rantanen.
Masticatory muscle problems or TMD
TMD stands for Tempomandibular Disorder and is a generic term for diseases, pains and dysfunctions of the jaw joints, masticatory muscles, dentition and closely related tissues. According to estimates, the need for treatment of TMD occurs in 7-9% of Finns. The prognosis for treatment is usually good.
The most common symptoms of TMJ dysfunction:
- jaw joints
- pain in the jaw joints or masticatory muscles
- limited opening of the mouth
- movement disorders of the lower jaw, eg. jaw branch when opening and/or closing the mouth
- headache
- facial pain
- otalgia
- pains can also occur in the tongue, gums and teeth
- symptoms may also include a feeling of tightness in the throat, a lump in the throat, problems with the production of sound, muscle aches in the neck and shoulders
- pain can also radiate behind the eyes, to the jaws, to the temples, and sometimes up to the upper limb
You can read more about masticatory muscle care here:
Massage of the masticatory muscles
Dizziness
Dizziness is a common symptom that can be caused by disorders in the inner ear or cerebellum, but also by stuck neck and shoulder muscles, headaches or the aftermath of a brain injury.
Disorders in the inner ear that can cause dizziness include good quality positional vertigo, meniere's disease and vestibular neuronitis. There are several other neurological causes of dizziness in terms of the brain and inner ear. It is not the job of musculoskeletal professionals to diagnose neurological diseases, but many have been taught what kind of symptoms the client is immediately sent with.
Other causes of dizziness may also be stress, fluctuations in blood pressure or even a concussion.
The causes of dizziness can be tried to be found out by comprehensive history-taking, as well as various provocative tests. Most often, the nature of dizziness is not serious.
KiHy specializes in dizziness:
Chiropractor Jussi Järvinen and Orthopedic Osteopath Riku Rantanen.
Good quality postural vertigo or BPPV
Good quality positional vertigo is a malfunction of the arch passages of the inner ear, in which the crystals in the fluid moving in the archways do not move where they should. This often leads to a feeling of rotating dizziness, which may occur when sleeping, turning the side and head, or getting up. In bad cases, dizziness is so strong that it causes nausea. As far as these symptoms are accompanied by any other neurological symptoms such as visual disturbances, please consult a doctor.
At the KiHy Clinic, the function of the inner ear is tested with various test movements, which can be used to determine exactly which archway the problem is in. Once the location of the problem has been found, the movements to be made can be targeted to change the function of the inner ear and ease dizziness.
There is almost no other treatment for BPPV and therefore it is important to be able to determine exactly which exercises the individual should do to relieve dizziness.
In Turku, the following specialises in the treatment of postural vertigo:
Chiropractor Jussi Järvinen, Naprapath Vera Kesälä and Orthopedic Osteopath Riku Rantanen.
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