Headaches

"Newly discovered connective tissue has researches scratching their heads"

Talk About a Headache... Now we have to rewrite all those text books

One new anatomical discover by scientists may shed light on why one out of six Americans are suffering.

No new anatomical structures have been discovered on the body since 1895 until researches at the University of Maryland discovered a small web shaped tissue connecting a neck muscle directly to the lining covering of the brain. The covering is called the Dura Mater translated into to "Tough Mother".

It was previously thought to have no connections to the muscles or skeletal system. This covering encloses the brain and spinal cord and bathes them in a protective fluid full of nutrients.

The Dura Mater has an incredible network of nerves that can transmit intense pain.

So how did this go unnoticed and what it means for you?

Previous surgeries were inadvertently severing the tissue so it was never observed, until a study done on cadavers use a different incision angle to cut open the head and neck discovering the attachment.

Factors that increase tension included extended periods of cervical flexion ( reading, computers, cooking). There are natural curves in the spine that allow it to act as spring and the proper center of gravity supports a head that is typically 8 to 12 pounds in adults. The loss of that curve or extended periods of cervical flexion increase the load or perceived weight of the head four to six times.

So the head could put a 50lb load on the neck muscles and spine that was design to carry only 8 to 12lbs.

It's long known that tension headaches are the most common type of headache. Tension in the upper neck muscles are producing tension and spasm that pulls on the covering of the brain possibly producing intense pain.

So what is the cause?

You Play the Doctor:

A 28 year old female patient presents with headaches that wrap around her entire head. She is an aircraft controller that works the radar stations and keeps planes from colliding. She complains of long hours of sitting and a stress full work environment. She has tried over the counter medications, drinking more water and avoids common food triggers and her relief is mild at best. She goes for weekly massages and is active in an exercise schedule, including Yoga. She does reveal she was involved in a minor rear end collision and took some falls during cheerleading in high school around seven years ago.

Treatment Options:

Increase Massages

Increase Yoga Classes

Avoid Caffeine

MRI

X-Rays

Chiropractic

Physical Therapy

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