Headaches

There are many causes of headaches.  Below are some of the most common known causes:

• Stress/Tension
• Chemicals/Foods/Medications
• Poor Vision/Improper Eye Glass Prescription
• Sinus Problems
• Tooth or Jaw Problems
• Dehydration
• Hypoglycemia
• Poor Work Environment
• Tumors
• Aneurysm

The most common types of headaches are usually classified as tension headaches, cervicogenic headaches or migraine headaches.

The most common headaches are tension headaches. People with a headache may have symptoms including uncomfortable sensations described as pain, throbbing, aching, dullness, heaviness, and tightness in the head. People with a headache may also experience discomfort that is often worsened by movement or pressure and may be associated with irritability, problems sleeping, and fatigue.  A tension-type headache is most common and typically experienced as a dull, non-throbbing pain in the back of the neck, around the ear to the forehead, or in a “headband” distribution. A headache may be associated with tender nodules in the neck called trigger points or with tenderness in the muscles around the head.

Cervicogenic headaches are the most misdiagnosed type of a headache.  They are more often than not diagnosed with migraine headaches. Cervicogenic headaches can present with moderate to severe pain aggravated by light, movement, and sound.  They can be associated with feelings of nausea and usually occur at the end of the day or same time every day.  On some occasions, they can sometimes be associated with loss of balance feeling.

Migraine headaches can present also with moderate to severe pain and are associated with nausea and/or vomiting.  The pain can become worse with light, smells or noise and is usually one-sided.  Migraine headaches are characterized by the presence of an aura of light and spots that can begin 30 minutes before a headache.  Some migraine headaches can even be associated with pins and needles as well as numbness in the face and hands.

Chiropractic care including cervical adjustments, trigger point muscle work and physiotherapies can help control and reduce cervicogenic or tension headaches.

It is very difficult to determine the type of a headache you have, as they are sometimes very similar in nature. Taking medication for headaches that are not migraine in nature will most likely not help your symptoms.

A complete chiropractic examination can help to determine the type of a headache you have and provide the proper avenue to control you headaches.