Headaches are a very common condition, and they can be severely debilitating and disruptive to your life. There are many different causes, so the best treatment for a headache depends on the root cause. Headaches are one of the most common reasons for a person to see a chiropractor. The following are the most common types of headaches that are effectively treated by chiropractors.
Tension Headaches: The most common type of headache that most people have experienced at some point. They feel like a constant dull pain or pressure on both sides of the head. The intensity is usually considered mild to moderate. The exact cause is not clear, but it seems that muscle tension in the neck and shoulders as well as stress are major contributors.
Cervicogenic Headaches: Another common cause of headache, but it is often missed as they can also look like tension headaches or migraines. These headaches are a referred pain from the neck. So the primary issue may is pain or pressure in the muscles or joints of the upper neck, but the nervous system senses the pain as coming from the head. It usually feels like a steady dull pain that stays on one side of the head. It could be felt at the back of the head, or the forehead, or it may feel as if it is behind the eye. It often accompanies neck pain or stiffness, but not necessarily.
Migraine: Usually a severe throbbing on one side of the head. It can accompany other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. Often people will have to lay down in a dark quiet space to relieve a migraine. They can also be preceded by an ‘aura’, which can be a warning signal to people that a migraine is coming. An aura can include visual changes, such as bright or dark spots, blurriness, or pins and needles in the face or arms, or even weakness or numbness. The exact cause of migraines is not known, but they seem to be caused by pain signals and inflammation from the blood vessels of the head. There are often certain triggers for migraines, such as stress, hormonal changes, weather, foods, exercise, bright lights or loud noises. Neck pain and stiffness can also trigger a migraine. Or it can go the other way, and a migraine can cause the neck to tighten up. Chiropractic care can be effective in helping in both cases.
Treatment: The specific treatment will depend on the type of headache. But tension, neck pain and stress are common contributors to all types. So treatment will often involve a combination of the following:
-Manual therapy (such as chiropractic) to relieve or release tension or stiffness areas in the the neck, shoulders and upper back
-Acupuncture
-Regular exercise: Daily moderate activity to get the heart rate up and blood flowing, avoiding sedentary positions
-Improving sleep habits: getting enough quality sleep, going to bed at same time every night, keeping room cool and dark etc
-Stress management: yoga, mindfulness or meditation
-Avoiding triggers
-Medication: Your physician may prescribe certain medications, especially in the case of migraines