Headache pain is a surprisingly common complaint for teenagers that can be prevented and alleviated with a few simple steps.

Katie H. was a healthy eighteen year old girl who was referred to my metro-Boston Neuromuscular Therapy center by her doctor after two months of serious pain in her head, neck and shoulder primarily at the angle of her neck and shoulder and in her temples. The pain was exhausting her, affecting her school work and her life! She was athletic, a conscientious student and not a complainer.  Her concerned parents said she had just been “toughing it out.”

There had been no initiating event. It started with mono-like symptoms, a sore throat, extreme fatigue, but no temperature. She had been tested for mononucleosis, Lyme disease and infections. There were no findings except a mild anemia. An MRI was normal.

Katy saw a Pediatrician and a Neurologist and was given medications to control her symptoms, but they became worse. Chiropractic adjustments and passive muscle stretching helped a little. It was postulated that it was a muscular problem caused by a viral infection. She last saw a Physiatrist (a rehabilitation specialist), who referred her to me for Neuromuscular Therapy treatments.