Sinus Headache Relief in Porter Ranch & Northridge, CA A Comprehensive Chiropractic & Musculoskeletal Approach

Presented by
​Dr. Masoud Shamaeizadeh, DC

​
Soft Touch Chiropractic
Porter Ranch & Northridge, California 
​Do you experience pressure or headache around the forehead, eyes, cheeks, temples, or nose and assume your sinuses are responsible? Sometimes sinus disease is the cause—but not always. Research shows that many headaches people call “sinus headaches” are actually migraine or another type of headache. The American Migraine Foundation explains the difference between migraine and sinus headache and reports that approximately 90% of self-diagnosed sinus headaches may actually be migraine attacks. That is why determining the possible source of the headache is so important. Is It Really a Sinus Headache? A true headache associated with rhinosinusitis is more likely to occur along with other sinus symptoms, such as: Facial pressure or pain Nasal obstruction Thick or discolored nasal discharge Reduced sense of smell Sometimes fever However, migraine can also cause nasal congestion, watery eyes, facial pressure, and pain around the sinuses, making the two conditions surprisingly easy to confuse. What About the Neck? This is where the research becomes especially interesting. A study published in the Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy examined people with self-reported sinus headaches. Researchers found that 83.9% reported neck pain. Compared with people without headaches, the sinus-headache group also demonstrated reduced cervical range of motion, reduced neck-flexor endurance, and significantly more painful upper-cervical segmental dysfunction. In fact, approximately 68% demonstrated painful dysfunction in at least one of the upper cervical segments examined. Read the research on sinus headache, neck pain, and cervical musculoskeletal dysfunction. The researchers appropriately cautioned that the study does not prove that neck dysfunction causes sinus headache. Instead, cervical dysfunction may be a coexisting or contributing musculoskeletal factor, and further research is needed. Research in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics Chiropractic literature has also explored this subject. A case report published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics described a patient suffering from chronic sinusitis and sinus headaches. Interestingly, chiropractic manipulation and soft-tissue treatment alone had produced minimal long-term improvement. When the treatment program was expanded to include additional nasal-specific and gentle cranial techniques, the authors reported significant symptom improvement. The researchers concluded that the approach deserved further scientific investigation. This was only a case report, so it should not be interpreted as proof that chiropractic treatment cures sinusitis. However, it raises an important clinical point: A comprehensive approach may be very different from manipulation alone. Our Comprehensive Approach to Sinus-Type Headaches At Soft Touch Chiropractic, we do not assume that simply adjusting the cervical spine will resolve every headache. When appropriate, I evaluate the: Upper cervical spine • suboccipital muscles • cervical muscles • temporalis muscles • jaw and craniofacial soft tissues • cervical movement • posture • associated muscle tension Depending on examination findings, treatment may include: Gentle chiropractic techniques • joint mobilization • CFRT (Contrastrain Facilitation Release Technique) • Graston Technique • soft-tissue therapy • stretching • therapeutic exercise • and other appropriate chiropractic therapies. The objective is to identify and address musculoskeletal findings that may accompany or contribute to the patient's overall headache pattern, rather than assuming every pain around the forehead or eyes originates entirely from the sinuses. My Clinical Experience Over 25 Years During approximately 25 years of clinical practice, I have treated many patients who came into my office believing they had a “sinus headache.” In my clinical experience, many of these patients also demonstrate significant upper cervical restriction, suboccipital tightness, temporalis tenderness, neck tension, muscle imbalance, or other musculoskeletal findings. I have observed excellent clinical responses in many patients when these findings are treated comprehensively rather than relying upon cervical manipulation alone. These results represent my personal clinical observations, not the results of a controlled clinical trial, and individual results vary. Nevertheless, my experience—together with emerging research identifying cervical musculoskeletal dysfunction in people reporting sinus headaches—supports my belief that the neck and surrounding muscular structures deserve examination when appropriate. Sinus Headache, Migraine—or a Neck-Related Headache? The location of pain does not always tell us its source. Pain around the eyes, forehead, temples, cheeks, or sinus region can potentially occur with several different headache disorders. This is why our first question is not simply: “Where does it hurt?” We also want to know: “What type of headache is this, and are there cervical or musculoskeletal findings that may be contributing to it?” Learn more about our comprehensive approach to neck pain and headaches and our gentle approach to chiropractic care. Sinus Headache & Neck Pain Evaluation in Porter Ranch and Northridge If you repeatedly experience sinus pressure, headaches around the eyes, forehead pain, facial pressure, neck stiffness, suboccipital tightness, or headaches associated with restricted cervical movement, consider a comprehensive evaluation. Soft Touch Chiropractic
Dr. Masoud Shamaeizadeh, DC
Porter Ranch & Northridge, California
Call: 818-831-0100
Schedule a Headache Evaluation Our goal is not simply to manipulate the neck. We evaluate the cervical spine, muscles, soft tissues, movement patterns, and other potential musculoskeletal components of your headache. Important:
​Chiropractic and manual therapy should not be presented as treatments for a bacterial or viral sinus infection itself. Fever, significant facial swelling, persistent discolored nasal drainage, severe sinus symptoms, or suspected infection should receive appropriate medical evaluation. A sudden severe headache or headache accompanied by neurological symptoms requires prompt medical attention.

rel=”author”>Masoud Shamaeizadeh