A recent article on the front page of the "Life" section in the Toronto Star came to a startling conclusion. According to the story's subheading:
"Chiropractors were right.Written by staff reporter Janice Mawhinney, the article goes on to tell Canadian readers much about the nature of headaches:Many headaches are caused by damaged structures in the neck -- and scientific evidence proves it."
"A few headaches turn out to be the result of a tumor or some other abnormality in the brain, but that is very rare. Most headaches even those involving serious pain, have been inexplicable to doctors.The article interviewed a Toronto physician, Peter Rothbart, who worked with others along the lines of Bogduk's research. Dr. Rothbart concludes:"Years ago Robert Maigne, a professor of medicine at a French university, came to believe that many headaches originated with a structural problem in the neck.
"An Australian medical professor, Nikolai Bogduk, picked up on the idea and continued the research."
"The result, according to Rothbart, is 'a minor miracle.'While Dr. Rothbart may not have all of the answers, he does demonstrate that an MD (who is truly interested) can discover the truth about what chiropractic has been saying for years."'We have been able to find an anatomical and physiological cause for many headaches. We've found damaged structures in the neck, and have gone on to prove they are the cause of the pain.
"'We couldn't believe it at first. We've been able to put together a scientific explanation for how neck structure causes headaches -- not all headaches, but a significant number of them.'
"He says that about 80 percent of the patients treated at his clinic meet all the requirements for a diagnosis of tension headaches, but it turns out that neck problems are the cause of their headaches.
"Doctors have scorned the idea in the past when it was suggested by chiropractors. But Rothbart says they will accept the anatomical research results from Syracuse.
"The key to the problem is the trigeminal nerve in the head. It is a very large nerve that runs through the brain and has parts that run up either side of the head. One part of the nerve descends into the upper levels of the spinal cord in the neck. This part can be pinched by problems with the bones in the neck.
"When the brain gets a message that the trigeminal nerve is sending signals of pain, it can't tell what the source of the pain is, and it responds by creating pain in the head.
"Rothbart says doctors can check different bones in the neck to identify exactly where the problem is. When he anesthetizes the area identified and the head pain stops, he can pinpoint the place that needs attention.
"If it is a structural problem that will respond to spinal manipulation, Rothbart referees the patient to a chiropractor to have it fixed."
Reference
A pain in the neck, Toronto Star, Thursday, December 28, 1995.
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