Chiropractic is a great way to relieve most headaches. We can also work with you to prevent/decrease frequency and intensity of any future headaches.
Types of Headaches
Tension headaches are the most common type of headache people experience. Usually it is a generalized pain throughout the head which may feel like a tight band around the head. Pain may also be felt down into the neck. They can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 week depending on the individual.
Causes of tension headaches:
·Stress
·Poor posture
·Working in one position too long
·Jaw clenching
·Muscle and Joint dysfunctions from the neck
Migraine
Migraines are chronic headaches that can cause significant pain for hours or even days. Symptoms can be so severe that all you can think about is finding a dark, quiet place to lie down.
Some migraines are preceded or accompanied by sensory warning symptoms or signs (auras), such as flashes of light, blind spots or tingling in your arm or leg. A migraine is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound.
Other symptoms include:
·Moderate to severe pain, which may be confined to one side of the head or may affect both sides
·Head pain with a pulsating or throbbing quality
·Pain that worsens with physical activity
·Pain that interferes with your regular activities
·Nausea with or without vomiting
·Sensitivity to light and sound
There is no known cause of migraines however there have been many triggers that have been identified:
Possible Triggers:
·Hormonal Changes
·Foods- caffeine, chocolate, alcohol, aspartame (this is in a lot of sugar-free and diet products), msg (this not just in Chinese food) and aged cheeses
·Stress
·Sensory stimuli- bright lights, loud noises and unusual smells
·Certain medications
·Changes in weather
·Other Headaches
Cluster headaches are a rare form of headaches but they are also the most severe. They typically occur in men between the ages of 20 and 40. Cluster headaches often strike without warning and occur in groups. Normally they occur on one side of the head and remain on the same side throughout the cluster period, and throughout life. During a cluster headache attack people generally like to pace as laying down increases the pain.
Other signs/symptoms of a cluster headache can include:
·Pain is described as sharp and penetrating like “a hot poker stuck in the eye”
·stuffy nose on affected side
· tearing eye
·flushing of face on affected side
· droopy eyelid
·sweating,
· swelling of affected eye
**Headaches can also be caused by an underlying disease so it is important to get your headaches checked and diagnosed properly. **
Chiropractic is a great, safe, and effective form of treatment for most headaches. Since the majority of the headaches come from the muscles in the neck and upper back chiropractic has seen great success in relieving headaches.
We will also work on improving your posture and improving the range of motion in your neck. Chiropractic also works to optimize the functioning of your nervous system. This can help to reduce the frequency and severity of headaches. There have been studies that show chiropractic care reduces headaches to a greater extent than medication, and without any of their possible nasty side effects.
**If you are experiencing any of these symptoms seek medical care immediately:**
- Abrupt, severe headache, often like a thunderclap
- Headache with a fever, stiff neck, mental confusion, seizures, numbness or speaking difficulties, which may indicate a number of problems, including stroke, meningitis, encephalitis or brain tumor
- Headache after a head injury, even if it’s a minor fall or bump, especially if it gets worse
- A sudden, severe headache unlike any other headache you’ve experienced.
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