-IBIS-1.5.0-
tx
nervous system
headache: nonvascular
diagnoses

definition and etiology

definition: Headache without vascular cause.

etiology:
The most commonly diagnosed condition in the United States; 70% of these are caused by muscle tension. Causes include suboccipital muscle spasms from injury (whiplash), postural strain caused, for example, by a computer screen angled incorrectly, forcing the patient to hold the head at a strenuous angle; too large a pillow forcing flexion of the neck during rest.

signs and symptoms

Most commonly arising from tension in the suboccipital musculature; generally do not throb but are felt as a constant dull ache in various areas of the head and neck; areas of pain are varied because they are often referred pain zones from trigger points in neck and skull muscles.

course and prognosis

Usually gradual onset, but tend to persist in cyclical patterns of tension and relaxation; in time patterns will be held in tension as somatic dysfunction leads to segmental malposition.

differential diagnosis

• TMJ syndrome
• eyestrain
• vascular headache
• determine psychogenic causes


footnotes