Neck pain at the base of skull

by Nilakshi
(Minnesota, Usa)

Neck pain at the base of skull


Hi,

I am a 35 year old woman. I have had migraines for more then half my life. Since these have gotten worse over the last 2 years, I went to see a Chiropractor about 2 months back. Since there appeared to be a problem with the 1st two spinal joints and a few more, with no curve to the spine in my neck, she suggested I get adjusted 3 times a week to begin with. (We attributed it to a minor accident in my teens).

I have had a few good days after treatment began. Immediately after treatment the pain would be severe for a few hours then would be ok. But since the number of visits have gone to 1 every 10 days, I am not so happy. The migraines had gone down significantly, have started coming back.

The thing that bothers me the most is that, up to 5 days after treatment I am still alright, not counting the 1st 2 days of minimal neck pain, but th 6th day onwards, it starts hurting at the base of my skull, and some times turns into a migraine, till my next visit almost.

This does not seem natural to me. I am not happy that one kind of pain is getting replaced by another. I am considering visiting another chiropractor or giving up on them all together.

Please provide advise and comments

thanks

Hello Nilakshi,
I would stay with your occasional but regular visit; unfortunately, the research shows that if you've had this for years, no treatment whatsoever is going to "cure" you; and you obviously are getting relief from the migraines.

Ask her for some exercises, now, and perhaps to show your partner how to give some gentle massage to your neck.

Also, ask her to check your jaw joints. The TMJ is a major cause of migraine. See our TMJ anatomy page.

I hope this contributes.

Dr B

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