Severe Shooting Pain Headaches- I Want to Remove My Brain!

If you're having that kind of pain, the Chiropractor needs to do an x-ray before another adjustment is done. I actually know of more than one person that has proken their neck & didn't know it. All they had was annoying pain. But before that Chiropractor does anything else on you they need to make sure nothing is broken. Good luck. I have been there personally. It's a stinker.

Definitely a good idea to see the doctor and I hope the appointment goes well! I have suffered with chronic nasty headaches for years. But, in March I started taking a supplement which has improved my quality of life dramatically. Before taking the supplement, I had to take pain killers for my headaches everyday. Now, there are weeks that go by without any headaches at all. It has been a great blessing in my life and I am a better mom! :-) Let me know if you'd like more info. Hope you are feeling better soon! God bless.

We just recently moved our office. My husband is a Chiropractor. We are here in Mansfield, AND we have a move in special going on right now. First visit is on us!! Call us please.. I know how headaches can be, it's no fun. Every Chiro has different techniques. ###-###-####. We can get you in tomorrow...Dr. Todd Elsner, and my name is S.... We hope to hear from you!

Do not mess with headaches and or possible spine injuries, you could have injured a cervical disc with nerve compression. See a neurologist and have a proper evaluation. I started with a chiropractor and it caused further injury and prolonged my pain and suffering. Chiropractic care is contraindicated in some conditions and sometimes can cause more harm. In my experience, the chiropractor will just treat without having all the data necessary to determine the cause. You may need a MRI

Neurologist. No need to wait especially since you are an established patient.

It does sound like you might have disc problem in the neck area. If the Chiropracter doesnt get you relief within about 3 sessions, I'd tell the doc and ask for an MRI. I suggest you put a heating pad on the area for 10 minutes and then ice for 10. The heat helps blood and oxygen to flow to the disc for healing and the ice takes down the inflammation. Take ibuprofin (as long as you've taken it before without repercussion), 3 or 4 at a time every 4 hours, that will also help take out the inflammation.
If you can lay around for a couple of days and just baby your neck as much as possible that would be a good thing to do. If you have to keep using it it will take longer to heal.

Hi, I'm W., a massage therapist. This could be a number of things but my first thought is that you have very tight neck muscles, scalene and scm mms which will cause most of ur pain. Also your shooting pain can be caused by trigger points in your trapezius, located on top of ur shoulder. My suggestion is to see a massage therapist that is specializes in injury just because they are trained in this area of work you need done. I was supposed to have surgery on my back because of swelling, pinching of nerves from bulging disks, went to a therapist 2 times and the pain is gone, but I go on a regular schedule. Massage helps our body with stress, and having so much going on as we do as moms, I truly believe this will help you. You can also try ice about 8 to 10 min to help relieve the inflammation in that area. I hope I helped! :)

Updated

I wanted to add that a mri is very important to make sure your doctor and you know what it is, and along with massage your chiropractor it can be very helpful to have both. I wish you well and hope for a speedy recovery:)

Hi, I have had neck problems for 20 years and last year it got really bad. I finally begged my regular doctor to send me to a Specialist and first he ordered xrays and found a "bulging disc", then ordered an MRI before sending me to a Specialist. The result was they said I had a bulging disc due to a car accident I had 20 years ago. I went to physical therapy and got a traction unit. I had been seeing a Chiropractor for many years and when I switched to a new one, he didn't want to do anything until he took xrays. He was the first one to take an xray before my regular doctor and saw something. So the moral of the story is it could be a lot of different things affecting your headache and neck (it could be related or not) so you should get as many tests, such as an xray to start out, to find out if there is a problem with your bones. A Specialist can tell you how to fix or manage your problem once you find out what it is. My Chiropractor was honest and said he could keep me in alignment, but couldn't fix the bulging disc. They can help with certain things, but you need to find out what the problem is first through process of elimination.

chiropractor and give him time it wont be anover night fix.

I've had shooting pains and frequent headaches over many years after having several whip lash injuries in car accidents and was eventually referred to a neurologist. Mine were more chronic than severe; sound some different from yours. Initially, I had the shooting pain but this subsided to chronic dull headaches and stiff neck. Diagnosis was muscle tension and not a pinched nerve, etc. I had physical therapy which didn't help much. Chiropractic helped some but the headaches always returned. I've improved my posture and have fewer headaches.

I've had x-rays and CT scans but only after the headaches became chronic.

Sleeping in a cramped position, turning my head while keeping my body straight, lifting heavy objects all cause headaches. Sometimes I still have the sharp shooting pain at the beginning. When the headache started with a sharp pain it took several days to a couple of weeks for the headache to subside. I've been told to keep moving, use heat and ice as well as ibuprofen for pain. Trying to not move your head will cause muscle tension. Over the years I've learned that a prescription muscle relaxant will speed the pain away but I have to be consistent in taking it.

If you've had this headache and shooting pain for just a week, I suggest that you've tried too many things without spending enough time to allow them to work. It's unlikely that you've had a major injury since you don't recall an event that would result in injury.

I agree that if the chiropractor did not take an x-ray, I'd ask that he take one before continuing treatment. However, if he can discuss sensible reasons for not needing an x-ray then I'd accept his judgment.

I suggest that you call the neurologist's office and ask for advice. I'm thinking that they have an advice nurse just as generalists do.

I know how debilitating headaches are and how anxious you are to be rid of it. It's likely that you have strained a muscle and will just have to wait it out.

I would highly recommend my Chiropractor, Dr. James Bogash ###-###-####, 1830 S. Alma School, #135, at Alma School between Baseline and the 60. I get headaches similar to the one you are describing and he always gets rid of them. He is unlike any other chiropractor I have ever used and I have used a lot! He is able to adjust much higher on the neck and also uses a technique called "graston" (sp?) that loosens up the muscles. I would recommend trying him before you go to your regular MD. Good Luck. Tell him D. sent you:)

Hi,
Sounds like it could be occipital neuritis. Are you experiencing these headaches in your occipital lobes? I have it and can usually control it with 800mg of Advil and when it gets really bad, I have to go see my Neurologist for shots. Hope that you feel better.