
Post-traumatic Headaches: A Form of Neuropathic Pain | E4
02/03/25 • 43 min
This episode explores the connections between post-traumatic headaches and neuropathic pain, providing insights into the neurological underpinnings that affect pain perception and treatment efficacy. We emphasize individualized approaches to treatment and highlight the importance of understanding the brain's role in experiencing and managing pain.
• Understanding persistent post-traumatic headaches
• Exploring neuropathic pain in relation to concussions
• The brain's role in interpreting pain signals
• Hallmarks of neuropathic pain: allodynia and hyperalgesia
• Importance of individualized treatment approaches
• Effects of acupuncture and cognitive therapies on recovery
• Neuroplasticity and its impact on pain perception
• Encouragement for patience and continued treatment for chronic pain
• Insights from case studies on acupuncture effectiveness
• The evolving landscape of pain management strategies and research advancements
Research Study Referenced in this Podcast:
Leung, A. (2020). Addressing chronic persistent headaches after MTBI as a neuropathic pain state. J Headache Pain, 21(1), 77. doi:10.1186/s10194-020-01133-2
Purity Coffee
Coffee that is free of pesticides, mold toxins, and heavy metals. Just pure delicious coffee! Save 20% off your first order with code LIFEAFTER20.
Visit our website www.lifeafterimpact.com and sign up to be the first to know when Dr. Wolf's book Concussion Breakthrough: Discover the Missing Pieces of Concussion Recovery is available.
What topics do you want to hear more about? What questions do you have? Email us at [email protected]
Follow us on Instagram @lifeafterimpact
Medical disclaimer: this video or podcast is for general informational purposes only, and does not constitute the practice of medicine or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor patient relationship is formed. The use of this information and materials included is at the user's own risk. The content of this video or podcast is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice diagnosis or treatment. Consumers of this information should seek the advice of a medical professional for any and all health related issues.
This episode explores the connections between post-traumatic headaches and neuropathic pain, providing insights into the neurological underpinnings that affect pain perception and treatment efficacy. We emphasize individualized approaches to treatment and highlight the importance of understanding the brain's role in experiencing and managing pain.
• Understanding persistent post-traumatic headaches
• Exploring neuropathic pain in relation to concussions
• The brain's role in interpreting pain signals
• Hallmarks of neuropathic pain: allodynia and hyperalgesia
• Importance of individualized treatment approaches
• Effects of acupuncture and cognitive therapies on recovery
• Neuroplasticity and its impact on pain perception
• Encouragement for patience and continued treatment for chronic pain
• Insights from case studies on acupuncture effectiveness
• The evolving landscape of pain management strategies and research advancements
Research Study Referenced in this Podcast:
Leung, A. (2020). Addressing chronic persistent headaches after MTBI as a neuropathic pain state. J Headache Pain, 21(1), 77. doi:10.1186/s10194-020-01133-2
Purity Coffee
Coffee that is free of pesticides, mold toxins, and heavy metals. Just pure delicious coffee! Save 20% off your first order with code LIFEAFTER20.
Visit our website www.lifeafterimpact.com and sign up to be the first to know when Dr. Wolf's book Concussion Breakthrough: Discover the Missing Pieces of Concussion Recovery is available.
What topics do you want to hear more about? What questions do you have? Email us at [email protected]
Follow us on Instagram @lifeafterimpact
Medical disclaimer: this video or podcast is for general informational purposes only, and does not constitute the practice of medicine or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor patient relationship is formed. The use of this information and materials included is at the user's own risk. The content of this video or podcast is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice diagnosis or treatment. Consumers of this information should seek the advice of a medical professional for any and all health related issues.
Previous Episode

Migraines Versus Post-Traumatic Headaches: What is the Difference? | E3
This podcast dives deep into the complexities of post-traumatic headaches and migraines, exploring the differences in symptoms, triggers, and treatment options. Insights introduce listeners to medication overuse headaches and emphasize the importance of accurate diagnosis and holistic approaches for recovery after a concussion.
• Exploring common types of post-traumatic headaches
• Migraines as a risk factor for poor outcomes
• Defining migraines and associated symptoms
• Migraine "triggers"
• Understanding the neurological basis of migraines
• Examining the interplay of hormones and diet
• Discussing medication overuse headaches and their impact
• Emphasizing the value of a multidisciplinary approach to treatment
• Discussing alternative therapies and lifestyle modifications
• Encouraging patients to advocate for appropriate care
Research papers discussed in this podcast:
Sufrinko, A., McAllister-Deitrick, J., Elbin, R. J., Collins, M. W., & Kontos, A. P. (2018). Family History of Migraine Associated With Posttraumatic Migraine Symptoms Following Sport-Related Concussion. J Head Trauma Rehabil, 33(1), 7-14. doi:10.1097/HTR.0000000000000315
Leung, A. (2020). Addressing chronic persistent headaches after MTBI as a neuropathic pain state. J Headache Pain, 21(1), 77. doi:10.1186/s10194-020-01133-2
Gosalia, H., Moreno-Ajona, D., & Goadsby, P. J. (2024). Medication-overuse headache: a narrative review. J Headache Pain, 25(1), 89. doi:10.1186/s10194-024-01755-w
Purity Coffee
Coffee that is free of pesticides, mold toxins, and heavy metals. Just pure delicious coffee! Save 20% off your first order with code LIFEAFTER20.
Visit our website www.lifeafterimpact.com and sign up to be the first to know when Dr. Wolf's book Concussion Breakthrough: Discover the Missing Pieces of Concussion Recovery is available.
What topics do you want to hear more about? What questions do you have? Email us at [email protected]
Follow us on Instagram @lifeafterimpact
Medical disclaimer: this video or podcast is for general informational purposes only, and does not constitute the practice of medicine or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor patient relationship is formed. The use of this information and materials included is at the user's own risk. The content of this video or podcast is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice diagnosis or treatment. Consumers of this information should seek the advice of a medical professional for any and all health related issues.
Next Episode

Eight Less Headache Days a Month? An Inside Look into Our Concussion Research | E5
Our latest episode provides an inside look into a pilot study Sophia Bouwens and Ayla Wolf were both personally involved in on acupuncture's effect on post-traumatic headaches, revealing significant improvements for participants. We discuss the necessity of research-driven therapies, the importance of patient-provider communication, and future opportunities for tailored headache treatments.
• Introduction to Life After Impact podcast
• Overview of the pilot study investigating acupuncture for post-traumatic headaches
• Examination of study results and satisfaction levels
• Discussion of treatment frequency and patient experiences
• Call for expanded research and individualized treatment approaches
• Conclusion linking acupuncture research to real-world applications
Research paper:
Herrmann, A. A., Chrenka, E. A., Bouwens, S. G., Tansey, E., K., Wolf, A. A., Chung, K. W., . . . Hanson, L. R. (2024). Acupuncture Treatment for Chronic Post-Traumatic Headache in Individuals with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Pilot Study. J of Neurotrauma. doi:10.1089/neu.2024.0212
Link to research paper: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/neu.2024.0212
Purity Coffee
Coffee that is free of pesticides, mold toxins, and heavy metals. Just pure delicious coffee! Save 20% off your first order with code LIFEAFTER20.
Visit our website www.lifeafterimpact.com and sign up to be the first to know when Dr. Wolf's book Concussion Breakthrough: Discover the Missing Pieces of Concussion Recovery is available.
What topics do you want to hear more about? What questions do you have? Email us at [email protected]
Follow us on Instagram @lifeafterimpact
Medical disclaimer: this video or podcast is for general informational purposes only, and does not constitute the practice of medicine or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor patient relationship is formed. The use of this information and materials included is at the user's own risk. The content of this video or podcast is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice diagnosis or treatment. Consumers of this information should seek the advice of a medical professional for any and all health related issues.
Life After Impact: The Concussion Recovery Podcast - Post-traumatic Headaches: A Form of Neuropathic Pain | E4
Transcript
If people that have these persistent post traumatic headaches aren't responding to kind of migraine medications or migraine treatments, why is that? What makes these different? And they were saying that because this resembles neuropathic pain so closely, it's likely that there is this neuropathic pain component, which again, makes perfect sense when you realize that a concussion is causing all kinds of dysregulation and dysfunction within the bra
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