The site of the pain is not always the actual problem
Osteopathic Case Study
A 35-year-old female presented to the clinic early this year complaining of intermittent migraine type headaches and related upper neck pain/stiffness. She had been suffering for the past six years. The onset was slow and was not attributed to any trauma that she could recall. She had received treatment previously on her neck, which seemed to control the symptoms for a short period
On examination, she was found to have quite reduced range of motion and tenderness of her neck as well as an over decrease in the rest of the spine. A moderate scoliosis (lateral or sideways curve of the spine) was observed. The patient also had a 1 cm short right leg.
Upon further questioning it was revealed that the scoliosis had been picked up at school, however she had not followed through with treatment.
Full x-rays of the spine revealed early osteoarthritis of the mid to upper neck as well as showing the full extent of the scoliosis.
A diagnosis of cervicogenic headache was made. However this was not the primary problem. The short right leg was caused by a rotation in the pelvis. This in turn caused the scoliosis in the spine ("imagine walking around with only one shoe on"). The scoliosis of the spine had predisposed the patient to irritation & early degeneration of the neck, which in turn caused irritation of nerves in the neck that caused the headaches.
A treatment program which included treatment of the pelvis (short leg), full spine (scoliosis) and upper neck (osteoarthritis) was implemented. As well as home based stretching and strengthening exercises. The patient was advised to swim at least twice week.
This patient has been symptom free for five months.
The lesson to be learnt from this patient is that the sight of the pain/stiffness is not always the cause!