T4 Syndrome, tension headaches??

p!nky19

Hey,

I'm wondering if anyone suffers from T4 Syndrome and if so, do you suffer with chronic headaches? I am unsure if T4 Syndrome is definitely what I have as this was just one opinion..

Basically I had an injury in 2007 where I had a knock to my head and shoulder. My shoulder wasn't seen to at A+E that night, but I had 6 stitches on the back of my head. My head was bandaged for a number of weeks. I had very bad headaches and my GP prescribed me Ponstan painkillers for a month but they did nothing for the pain despite numbing the rest of me!

After a month I decided to go back to work as I was feeling a bit better, but I had three slight blackouts during the day so I decided to go back to A+E. After a brain scan and some other tests they thought the headaches were just a long-lasting effect from the injury and said it should die down within a few months.

The headaches persisted for another month-ish and someone noticed one of my shoulders appeared lower than the other and recommended I see a chiropractor. I went to a chiropractor I knew and he said I had T4 Syndrome. This meant my spine was misaligned and he said this causes very bad headaches similar to migraines that painkillers don't help. It seemed to fit. I received chiropractic treatment weekly for 6 months, it was the longest period he had seen of this (he had thought the treatment would cure it after a few weeks). Each week the headache eased but it was always back by the end of the week. I then had to stop going to him as I had a job somewhere else during the week.

After a few months the headaches were very bad again I asked a doctor at my college about it and she said it sounded like a tension headache and recommended acupuncture. I receieved this treatment weekly along with some physiotherapy for a number of months also and found the exact same response, it was helping but only as a temporary solution.

I have not gone anywhere for a while now due to study and not being able to afford it, and now the headaches are back worse than ever. Has anyone experienced anything similar? I'd love to find a permanent solution as the headaches make concentration very hard, aside from the pain being annoying!

Thanks in advance for any advice
p!nky

Big_G

Seems to me you may need a referral to a neurologist or cranio-facial pain specialist. Ask your gp.

I've never heard of T4 syndrome. All I can guess is that it has something to do with the fourth thoracic vertebra. Again, this would suggest a nerve issue which is the realm of a neurologist or pain specialist.

p!nky19

Big_G wrote: »

Seems to me you may need a referral to a neurologist or cranio-facial pain specialist. Ask your gp.

Thanks a million for the advice, I've never even heard of a cranio-facial pain specialist. My GP has advised physio and acupuncture, but neither of these were mentioned. I'll look into it.

Big_G wrote: »

I've never heard of T4 syndrome. All I can guess is that it has something to do with the fourth thoracic vertebra.

Yeah, that's right:

http://www.physioadvisor.com.au/10290050/t4-syndrome-physioadvisor.htm

but headaches don't usually seem associated with it which is why I wanted some further opinions.

Thanks again

stevostrong

Hi i have just been diagnosed with t4 syndrome,i have been in pain for 6 years,and am glad to finally have an answer to what is wrong with my neck and shoulders,i some times get a DULL headache if i have been driving or doing something strenuous with my neck or arms. Also after a night out i get serious migraines which i never used to get(so i dont go out to much anymore) but this could just be getting older. You need a good physio to have a look at you,and give you streching exercises. Also go and see the
cranio-facial pain specialist