What are Cluster Headaches?
Cluster headaches are a type of headache characterized by intense and debilitating attacks, usually concentrated around one eye, temple, or cheek. These headaches can be extremely painful and last anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours. Cluster headaches tend to occur in recurring patterns, or "clusters," often at the same time each day, and can persist for weeks to months, followed by a pain-free period lasting months to years. While the exact cause of cluster headaches remains poorly understood, several factors, such as genetics, hypothalamus function, environmental triggers, and misalignments in the upper cervical spine are believed to contribute to the condition.
Signs and Symptoms of Cluster Headaches
The most common symptom of a cluster headache is severe throbbing pain, usually focused around one eye, temple, or cheek. The pain can last from 15 minutes to several hours and may recur at the same time each day for days, weeks, or even months. Individuals suffering from cluster headaches may also experience a persistent stuffy nose, red or teary eyes, and a drooping eyelid on the affected side of the face.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Cluster Headaches
The relationship between the upper cervical spine and cluster headaches is not well understood, but recent research has implicated the trigeminal nerve as a key factor. The upper cervical spine, which consists of the top seven vertebrae in the spinal column, plays a crucial role in providing stability and support for the head as well as serving as a framework for the muscles and nerves that connect the body to the brain. When this part of the spine becomes misaligned, it can result in compression of the spinal nerve roots, leading to irritation and interference with the transmission of nerve signals from the body to the brain.
One of the cranial nerves affected by this compression is the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for the sensation of pain in the face. If the trigeminal nerve becomes irritated or inflamed due to spinal compression, it can cause the transmission of pain signals to become erratic and more intense, contributing to the occurrence of cluster headaches.
How Our Cluster Headaches Treatment Works
Upper Spine of Knoxville provides specialist chiropractic treatment for cluster headaches using a gentle and precise upper cervical chiropractic method. This chiropractic treatment method is primarily focused on using non-invasive correction techniques to restore the upper cervical spine to its natural alignment. If the trigeminal nerve has been compressed by a vertebral misalignment, the upper cervical spine corrections will help to relieve this pressure and reduce the occurrence of cluster headaches.
Our upper cervical chiropractic specialist, Dr. Bejian Shamloo, can provide effective and non-invasive treatment for cluster headaches. Before beginning treatment, Dr. Shamloo will perform a thorough examination of your upper cervical spine. This process involves the use of advanced diagnostic tools, such as Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) and advanced 3-D imaging. These tools help create a 360-degree, interactive model of your upper cervical spine, allowing Dr. Shamloo to pinpoint exactly where the misalignments are located.
If a misalignment is detected, Dr. Shamloo will use a series of precise correction techniques to push the affected vertebrae back into natural alignment. These corrections are gentle and can be completed without the use of force or harsh manipulation techniques. By alleviating the pressure on the trigeminal nerve, this treatment can help to reduce or even eliminate the occurrence of cluster headaches.
If cluster headaches are preventing you from living your life on your terms, Upper Spine Knoxville can help. We service patients across Knoxville, Alcoa, Maryville, Farragut, Clinton, Oak Ridge, Sevierville, Lenoir City, Karns, Hardin Valley, Powell, Halls, and Fountain City in Tennessee, as well as the surrounding areas.