Headaches are one of the most common diagnosis we see at Medione wellness Chiropractic Clinic. Our chiropractors have been dealing with tension headaches, cervicogenic headaches, migraines and more!
What are the common causes of headaches and migraines?
The World Health Organisation in 2007 (1) documented the prevalence of headache worldwide and showed that 46% of adults suffer from headache at some stage. They also said headaches are one of the top 10 most disabling illnesses and rank in the top five for women. Headaches, although they can be a serious condition, are usually caused by muscle tension or spinal joint tension. Headaches can be triggered by lifestyle factors, including poor posture, stress, and sleep changes. They may also be triggered by diseases that activate pain-sensitive nerves in the head.Migraines can and are debilitating diseases that get in the way of everyday life. Migraines can occur with or without antecedents. Aura migraines are migraines accompanied by visual stimuli such as flashes of light. Migraines can be caused by a variety of different factors such as muscle tension around the neck and upper back, tension in the neck and upper back joints, stress levels, certain foods and drinks, hormonal changes and many other factors.
What are the different types of headaches?
Tension headache
Tension headache is the most common type of headache, with one in 20 people suffering from it every day. Tension headaches are mild to moderate pain that feels like a tight band on your head. These tension headaches originate from many different factors, such as muscle tension, joint restriction, and stress.
Cluster headache
Cluster headaches are the rarer type of headache, affecting one in 1,000 people. Men are three times more likely to be affected. Cluster headaches exacerbate rapidly once they begin and usually manifest as deep, intense pain around/behind the eyes or within the temples. This type of headache can last from 15 minutes to 3 hours and is repeated up to eight times a day. This type of headache is one of the most severe headaches due to the intense pain.
Sinus headache
Sinus headaches occur when the sinus tracts behind the eyes, nose, cheeks, and forehead become congested. Sinus headaches can feel uncomfortable pressure behind the forehead, but can also feel anywhere in the sinus area. Generally, symptoms last about 15 minutes to 3 hours. The headaches can last on and off for a week or a month, and some even reach a year or so The pain intensifies when bending forward or lying down—a common symptom of migraines. Due to this common symptom, people often believe that they suffer from sinus headaches, but in fact they suffer from migraines.
Migraine
Migraines are often classified as pulsating headaches on one side with moderate to severe intensity and may be exacerbated by exercise. Migraines are often associated with nausea, vomiting, and increased sensitivity to light, sound, and even smells. About 20% of people experience a migraine at some stage in their lives. Migraines affect children and adults.
Migraines can be triggered by a variety of factors, such as tension in the neck muscles, tension in the neck joints, stress levels, certain foods and drinks, and hormonal changes.
How can it help relieve headaches?
A 2019 study published in PubMed (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6461372/) showed that manipulation can improve headaches and migraines (2), and the types and types Frequency depends on the specific situation. The team at Medione wellness Chiropractic assesses each person based on their unique needs. We will delve more deeply into what may cause or cause headaches.
We often hear that patients have experienced some kind of physical stress in their lives, mainly related to:
Poor posture
Sitting for long periods of time (i.e. working in an office environment)
Keep looking down
Previous trauma (i.e. car, motorcycle, or horse accidents)
Poor neck range of motion
Neck and shoulder muscle tension
Chiropractic treatment of headaches often depends on many factors, including –
Type of headache
Frequency and intensity of headache
The impact of headache on personal life
Chronic - How long the person experiences these things