Common Headaches Treated
General Retraction or C2 Block Retraction
Stage 2: General Retraction
Fantastic work on achieving stage 2!
Please answer the question on the sheet given by your headache clinician and bring that to your next treatment session.
Follow the video and diagrams to know how to perform General Retraction.
Stand tall with your back against the wall. Place a thick pillow between your back and the wall.
Put your fingers on the chin and apply pressure.
Imagine your head is like a filing cabinet that can only move in a pure horizontal line. The filing cabinet cannot angle upwards, or angle downwards as it will damage the bearings, or in your case will damage your cervical joints of the neck.
Follow these simple diagrams below
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| Stand tall with pillow behind back | Place fingers on your chin |
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Apply pressure onto the chin Relax your neck muscles |
Avoid resisting your pressure |
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| Avoid tilting your head up | Avoid tilting your head down |
The more force you use, the more effective the exercise becomes. It is normal to feel strain around the back of your neck.
Repeat this exercise 4 times and hold it for 20 seconds. Do this 4 lots throughout the day
(morning, lunch, evening, night).
Remember to draw your head backwards in a horizontal line.
Great work! You are now on your way to recovery. Please answer the questions on the sheet given by your clinician and bring that to your next treatment session.
Stage 2: C2 block retraction
Follow the video and diagrams to know how to perform C2 Block Retraction.
Place the cervical strap around C2, then place both hands on the wall. Make sure the strap is horizontal to the ground, and stand tall.
Keep your hands on the wall then gently draw your head backwards in a horizontal line.Make sure your head does not tilt upwards or downwards, and make sure you don’t move your body backwards.
The movement should only be coming from your head.
Draw your head backwards
Repeat this exercise 4 times and hold it for 20 seconds. Do this 4 lots throughout the day
(morning, lunch, evening, night).
Remember to draw your head backwards in a horizontal line.
Great work! You are now on your way to recovery. Please answer the questions on the sheet given by your clinician and bring that to your next treatment session.
The Assessment
Phase 1
Accurately diagnose your condition for effective treatment
The Treatment
Phase 2
Experience the latest treatment methods that are evidence-based
The Results
Phase 3
A life free from migraines or headaches is now proven possible
The Difference
Phase 4
A medication-free solution that treats the cause not the symptons
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What are Cluster Headaches?
Cluster Headaches are a rare type of headaches that affect around 0.1% of the population, according to the International Headache Society. While they are rare, it does affect males 3-4 times more frequently than females [1].
Despite being uncommon, Cluster Headaches are regarded as being the most severe and debilitating type of headache. Research has shown Cluster Headaches frequently described as having the highest pain levels [2], out of all 300 different types of headache and migraine. Cluster Headache attacks occur in cycles, and will often wake sufferers during the night, or at regular times during the day. Attacks generally last between 15-180 minutes, and can happen multiple times per day, or once every couple of days [1, 2]. People who suffer from Cluster Headaches generally experience periods of attacks, or “cluster periods” that can last weeks or months. These periods are then followed by periods of remission lasting weeks, months or even years. The pain is often severe, on one-side of the head, and generally around the eye and/or temple region. Cluster Headaches have adopted the nickname, ‘suicide headaches’ due to their severe and debilitating nature [2].
What are the signs and symptoms?
Cluster Headaches are often severe enough that a sufferer cannot keep still during an attack. They may pace back and forth, have to take a shower, or even resort to banging their head in an attempt to reduce the pan.
Symptoms commonly associated with Cluster Headaches include [2]:
- Severe pain around one eye, that can radiate further around the face or neck
- Restlessness, shortness of breath and/or a sweaty face
- Watery/teary eyes or eye redness
- Swollen or droopy eyelids
- Runny or congested nose
- Pale or flushed skin
- Pain is unilateral, or affects only one side
What are the different types of Cluster Headache?
There are 2 types of cluster headache.
Episodic Cluster Headache
Cluster Headaches most commonly occur episodically. This is when sufferers experience bouts of “cluster periods” that can last for weeks or months, followed by an extended period in remission that can last up to years. They can occur seasonally or at set times each year. Episodic Cluster Headaches account for up to 80% of all Cluster Headaches [1, 2].
Chronic Cluster Headache
When Cluster Headaches occur without a prolonged period of remission, they are termed a Chronic Cluster headache. Sufferers often have “cluster periods” that will last over a year. While they may have days without attacks, the remissions will not last longer than a month.
What are the risk factors?
- Men are 5-6 times more likely to experience cluster headaches
- Sufferers are generally heavy smokers
- Higher alcohol consumption may be a factor
- Cluster Headaches most commonly affect people aged 20-50, but can occur at any age
- People with family members who are sufferers may be at a higher risk
What causes Cluster Headaches?
Historically, it was believed that cluster headaches, as well as migraines, were caused by the dilation of blood vessels in the head, causing pain. This was thought because medications, like triptans, are effective at relieving the pain if taking early enough in an attack. It was believed that triptans prevent this vessel dilation. However, recent research has shown that Cluster Headache and migraine sufferers do not experience blood vessel dilation at any different levels to people who do not suffer. So, how do these medications work?
Modern research has shown that Cluster Headaches and migraines arise from increased sensitivity in the central nervous system [2], more specifically, a sensitised brainstem which is located in the upper cervical spine (the upper neck). Faults in the upper neck can lead to this sensitised brainstem, which then can refer severe pain and associated symptoms into the head and face [3]. Triptan medication has also more recently been shown to de-sensitise the brainstem [4], as well as its original purpose of constricting blood vessels in the head. This would explain why they work, as well as identifying a sensitised brainstem and the cervical spine as a cause of cluster headaches.
I've tried it all, is there anything that can help me?
While Cluster Headaches are very uncommon, they are still experienced in the Gold Coast region. The severity of symptoms causes sufferers to try a range of therapies in an attempt to resolve them, with mixed results. Often, they have tried; medications, injection therapy, or even surgical interventions such as, nerve blocks or blood vessel cauterisation.
At The Headache and Migraine Clinic, we aim to use the most modern research to find the root cause of your cluster headaches. If we can determine that a sensitised brainstem is the cause of your headaches, then we can use world-leading treatment techniques to address the faults in your neck and de-sensitise the brainstem. We have seen plenty of Cluster Headache sufferers at our clinics, and have an 85-90% success rate with our treatment technique. The best part is that it is safe, non-invasive and medication-free.
