Head and headache symptom guide

Headaches can occur due to various causes such as stress and lack of sleep, migraines, and tension in the muscles around the neck and jaw. However, if you experience a very severe headache that starts suddenly or a headache accompanied by neurological changes, seek immediate evaluation in the emergency room.

We do not attribute the cause of frequent recurrent headaches solely to cervical spine misalignment or a single temporomandibular joint issue.

• Bilateral pain that feels like the head is being constricted
• Throbbing pain on one side with sensitivity to light and sound
• It worsens when moving the neck or maintaining the same posture for a long time.
• Tightness around both the temples and jaw
• Sudden worsening during coughing or exertion
• Changes in visual field accompanied by vomiting and dizziness
• It started after recently hitting my head.

Recording the starting point and duration of symptoms, as well as accompanying symptoms, will be helpful for your consultation.

If a sudden, severe headache unlike any you have experienced before occurs together with weakness in an arm or leg on one side, facial paralysis, changes in speech or vision, and reduced consciousness, emergency evaluation is needed.

High fever and severe neck stiffness, worsening headache after head trauma, new-onset severe headache during pregnancy or postpartum period, and new headaches in individuals with a history of cancer or immunosuppression must be evaluated promptly.

We verify the onset time and frequency of the headache, its location and characteristics, sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and medications taken. We examine whether headaches change when moving the neck or maintaining a specific posture, and assess movement of the neck and shoulders along with muscle tension.

We also examine temporomandibular joint pain, teeth grinding, sleep patterns and caffeine intake, as well as stress and activity patterns; if any warning signs are present, we recommend necessary medical evaluation.

Once risk factors have been ruled out, Chuna manual therapy may be considered as part of the treatment plan for patients with headache associated with restricted neck movement and recurrent muscle tension.

We do not attribute all headaches to neck problems, nor do we guarantee a cure for headaches. Record changes in neck movement, headache frequency, and daily function before and after treatment.

Acupuncture and pharmacopuncture can be selectively performed based on the characteristics of headache and tension in the neck and jaw surrounding muscles. Record sleep duration, meals and fluid intake, frequency of caffeine and analgesic use, and maintain regular activity.

If you frequently take pain relievers repeatedly, you should consult your prescribing healthcare provider about the relationship between medication use and headache frequency.

Confirm whether the onset was sudden, like a flash of lightning, or gradual; and whether the pain is located around one temple and eye area, or originates from the back of the head and neck. The sensation of a racing heartbeat, sensitivity to light and sound, and accompanying symptoms such as nausea and watery eyes or nasal congestion are also important.

If the headache pattern is completely different from what has occurred repeatedly in the past, or if the frequency and intensity change rapidly, you should seek medical consultation.

If pain in the back of the head is reproduced when keeping the head lowered for a long time or turning it, and neck movement is restricted, this indicates that the cervical joints and muscles may be affected. If you experience severe pain in the temples when clenching or chewing your teeth, and if there is clicking or locking of the jaw, we also examine the temporomandibular joint and masticatory muscles.

However, we do not assert that tension in the neck and jaw is the cause of all headaches. First, examine the overall presentation of the headache and perform a neurological examination.

We check for changes in speech and vision, strength and sensation in the face and limbs, gait, and consciousness. Fever with severe neck stiffness, head injury, a new headache during pregnancy or around childbirth, and a history of cancer or reduced immunity are also important information.

If there are no warning signs, we can determine the direction of treatment by examining neck and shoulder movements, jaw movement, muscle tension, as well as sleep patterns, caffeine intake, and work patterns together.

When neck and upper back movement restriction and muscle tension are associated with headaches, and there are no red flags, Chuna manual therapy and acupuncture may be considered. We do not aim for strong neck rotation or joint sounds; instead, we track headache frequency and intensity, neck movement, and daily function.

If there is a sudden neurological change or if the headache worsens rapidly, we recommend prompt examination and consultation.

You can record the date and time of onset, duration, location and intensity of pain, accompanying symptoms, and sleep, diet, caffeine, menstruation, and medications taken. Including the frequency of painkiller use can help in creating a management plan for recurrent headaches.

If you need to take pain relievers frequently or if headaches recur whenever the medication's efficacy diminishes, do not increase the dosage on your own; instead, have your headache type and usage method evaluated through a clinical consultation.

Record the onset time and duration, pain location and intensity, sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and effects of neck and jaw movements. Also record whether there were changes in sleep and eating habits, caffeine intake or menstruation, frequency of painkiller use, and any neurological symptoms different from before.

If you take painkillers every time you have a headache, it is recommended to record how many days you used them in a month. There are situations where medication is needed, but if the frequency of use increases or the effect becomes short-lived, do not arbitrarily increase the dosage; instead, consult with your healthcare provider about the type of headache and the dosing plan. Significant changes in sleep duration, skipping meals, and excessive caffeine intake can also affect some headache patterns.

If there is no discomfort with slight movement of the neck and jaw, the procedure can be performed briefly; however, we do not forcefully rotate or press on the neck to eliminate pain. If your worst headache begins suddenly, or your vision, speech, consciousness or limb strength changes, do not wait while keeping a headache diary; seek prompt evaluation.

We compare not only the pain intensity of a single episode but also the number of days with headache occurrence over one month, the days medication was used, and the time spent discontinuing daily activities. Even if the headache does not completely disappear after treatment, you can check whether the frequency has decreased, recovery has accelerated, and interference with work and sleep has reduced. Conversely, if the condition changes anew, the diagnosis must be re-evaluated.

The headache diary records the days with headaches within a month, the days medication was used, duration, and time of daily activity interruption. Treatment response is assessed based on frequency of occurrence and recovery speed rather than a single pain intensity, and whether neck/jaw movement impairment and sleep disturbance have decreased; if new neurological symptoms arise, immediate re-evaluation is performed.

Please write down the time when your headache started, its duration, and the types and number of times you have taken pain relievers, as this will help with your consultation.