Headaches

Question 1

What is a headache?

Answer 1

Pain in the head

Question 2

Which headache is unrelated to underlying pathology, and involves hyperexcitability within pain sensitive nerves of the cranium?

Answer 2

Primary Headache

Question 3

Which type of headache is a result of an underlying pathology?

Answer 3

Secondary Headache

Question 4

Which type of primary headache is an episodic/chronic/dull, aching headache that may be caused by muscle tension and trigger points?

Answer 4

Tension

Question 5

Which headache is the most common 1st degree headache?

Answer 5

Tension

Question 6

Which type of primary headache is a neurological condition causing intense, debilitating headaches?

Answer 6

Migraine

Question 7

Which type of secondary headache is a buildup of pressure in the sinuses causing headache type pain, often due to allergies or sinusitis?

Answer 7

Sinus

Question 8

Which headache is often bilateral?

Answer 8

Tension

Question 9

Which headache is unilateral in 60% of sufferers?

Answer 9

Migraine

Question 10

Which headache affects overlying sinuses?

Answer 10

Sinus

Question 11

Which migraine presents with an aura, blurred vision, flashing light and hallucinations?

Answer 11

Migraine

Question 12

Which headache would you avoid vigorous techniques or deep pressure when treating hyperirritable trigger points to avoid “kickback”?

Answer 12

Tension

Question 13

Which headache can you NOT apply heat on head or neck as it causes pain due to vasodilation?

Answer 13

Migraine

Question 14

Which headache should you avoid deep techniques, avoid music/bright lights if the client is sensitive to them?

Answer 14

Migraine

Question 15

Which headache should you take care not to overtreat?

Answer 15

Migraine

Question 16

Which headache can aggravate symptoms if lying flat supine & prone?

Answer 16

Sinus

Question 17

What are signs & symptoms of Tension Headache?

Answer 17

1. Diffuse, constant, dull or viselike
2. Bilateral
3. Muscle tenderness, stiffness, HT & TrP

Question 18

What are signs & symptoms of Migraine Headache?

Answer 18

1. Moderate to severe pulsating pain; often begins as a dull ache or feeling of pressure
2. Unilateral in 60% of sufferers
3. Rarely occurs more than once per week
4. Muscle soreness
5. Aura, blurred vision, flashing lights, auditory, hallucinations
6. Sensitivity to light and sound

Question 19

What are signs & symptoms of Sinus headache?

Answer 19

1. Pain, pressure and fullness in and overlying the affected sinus(es)
2. Possible achiness in upper teeth
3. Worsened by lying down or bending forward

Question 20

What are contraindications & precautions?

Answer 20

1. CNS symptoms like fever, confusion, numbness
2. “Worst headache” ever experience
3. New or different headache, especially at 50+ age

Question 21

What are the CI’s & precautions for tension headache?

Answer 21

1. Avoid deep pressure, vigorous techniques; be cautious of neck vessels and nerves
2. Avoid sustain techs
3. Stretching hypotonic muscles

Question 22

What are the CI’s & precautions for migraine headache?

Answer 22

1. Avoid heat on head/neck
2. No deep techniques; consider client’s massage
3. Avoid overtreating
4. Avoid music, bright lights

Question 23

Assessments

Answer 23

1. Vitals
2. Locate headache
3. Postural deviation
4. ROM

Question 24

What are goals?

Answer 24

1. Reduce pain, spasm
2. Normalize tissue health
3. Decrease HA frequency & intensity

Question 25

What are CI’s & precautions for sinus?

Answer 25

1. Avoid massage with fever, active dental infection
2. Limit pressure at facial pain sight
3. Not lying flat prone or supine

Question 26

If local treatment is not tolerated where it is beneficial to massage?

Answer 26

Hands & feet