Headaches & Migraines

A headache is a pain in any part of your head. This includes your face, scalp, upper neck, and the inside of your head. Headaches can happen rarely or often, interfering with your ability to work and enjoy daily activities.

Migraines cause throbbing or pulsing pain, affecting one side of your head or both sides. Migraines tend to run in families. The condition is often worsened by exposure to light, sounds, smells, or physical activity.

While pain is the most common sign, you may notice other symptoms, including:

• Clenching and grinding your teeth
• Dental wear and broken teeth
• Clicking and popping of your jaw joint
• Discomfort in your neck or jaw muscles
• Ringing in your ears (tinnitus)
• Vertigo (dizziness)

You also might have trouble sleeping with a headache or migraine.

Headaches come in several forms. You may have experienced one or more of these types of headaches:

• Tension: due to tightness in your head, neck, and facial muscles
• Inflammatory: swollen blood vessels cause inflammation and pain
• Traction: brought on by injuries, computer work, or eye strain
• Vascular: a migraine or cluster headache

If you’re suffering from headaches or migraines, Dr. Johnson evaluates your symptoms to diagnose the source of your condition and put you on the path to recovery.

Dr. Johnson thoroughly evaluates your condition, taking a complete medical history. He recommends comprehensive diagnostic protocols to home in on the nature of your headache or migraine pain.

Often, your headache or migraine pain is due to bite force (neuromuscular) problems in your mouth. Dr. Johnson uses state-of-the-art computer technologies to analyze:

• Your bite forces
• Range of motion
• Trigger points in your head and neck muscles

This analysis identifies where to correct the neuromuscular force imbalances to give you relief.

Dr. Johnson recommends appropriate treatment, which may include:

• Therapeutic ultrasound
• Electrical stimulation
• Cold laser therapy
• Manual muscle/trigger point therapy

You don’t need to suffer from headache or migraine pain. Call Northwest Headache Center today or book a consultation online.