Temporal Arteritis

Do you have pain in the side of your head, around your temples?  Are you  over 60 years old?  This may be a sign of temporal arteritis sometimes call giant cell arteritis.  It can be serious, it may lead to blindness.  Many times patients will present to a chiropractic clinic with this condition.  A proper diagnosis must be made and a referral to the patient’s primary care physician is needed. 

The most common treatment for this condition is large dosages of corticosteroids for one to two years.  The symptoms usually reside quickly once a diagnosis and treatment is made.  Often a biopsy of the area is needed. 

It is important to see your medical doctor or chiropractor if you are over the age of 60 and have these symptoms.  Left untreated the patient may develop permanent blindness.

There are complications to taking large doses of steroids but unfortunately at this time there are few if any other treatments for this condition.

If you have headache and neck pain, consider chiropractic care.  If you have any similar symptoms of temporal arteritis you should see your MD or Chiropractor immediately.

David J Moreland DC, CCSP

Rolla MO  364-8086