Conditions
Headaches are one of the most common health problems that people experience.
Unfortunately, many headaches are caused by tension or stress, which can be hard to avoid in today’s fast-paced world. The good news is that there are effective treatments for headaches available.
Headaches may occur on one or both sides or in any region of the head. Pain can be gradual or sudden and varies in intensity. It can manifest as a dull ache, sharp pain, or throbbing sensation. Headache pain lasts for less than an hour to several days.
There are over a hundred types of headaches but the most common types are tension headaches, migraine headaches, cluster headaches, chronic daily headaches, and sinus headaches.
Headache may occur when the pain-sensing structures of the head suffer spasm, irritation, tension, compression, injury, or inflammation. It can affect a person’s quality of life especially when it becomes frequent, severe or persistent. Thus, it is critical to know the causes of a headache to be able to take appropriate action.
The common causes of headaches include:
Conditions that can cause headaches are cold, fever, flu, sinusitis, throat infection, ear infection, migraine, eyesight problem, high blood pressure, Temporomandibular joint disease (TMJ), and even dehydration (hyperosmolar or hyponatremia). In women, period, menopause or hormonal fluctuations can trigger headaches.
Changes in the structure or function of the neck or upper back area can result in headaches. This can be due to improper movement of joints, muscular tightness or involvement of nerves.
Headaches can also stem from physical and emotional stresses. This includes excessive physical activity, lack of sleep, changes in sleep patterns, irregular meals, exhaustion/fatigue. Anxiety and depression also cause headaches.
Headaches, particularly migraine headaches are believed to run in the genes. 90% of the children and teens who suffer from migraines have other family members who get them. If both parents have a history of migraines, their child has a 70% chance of acquiring them. But if only one parent has a history of these headaches, the risk lowers to 25% to 50%.
If a person is taking too much pain medication (even over-the-counter) more than 2 days a week (or 9 days a month), he or she is likely to develop rebound headaches (overuse or misuse of pain-relieving drugs).
Elements in the environment also trigger headaches such as noise, lighting and changes in the weather. Pollutants such as secondhand smoke from cigarettes/tobacco, chemical or perfumes, strong smells and household hazards such as carbon monoxide can be sources of headaches.
Certain foods such as chocolate, cheese or fermented foods.
Symptoms can vary depending on the type of headache. Symptoms can include a mild aching head pain, squeezing or band-like, on both sides of the head, generally above the level of the eyebrows.
This is the most common type of headache that occurs often in women. Symptoms include mild to moderate pain, or tightness which may be on both sides and usually radiates to the neck and back of the head.
Common migraines can range from moderate to severe intensity. Palpitating or pulsating pain is usually felt on one side of the head. A migraine that includes an aura is accompanied by a visual disturbance, weakness, or numbness that lasts for 1-2 hours before the onset of the headache.
This type of headache is normally experienced by men and happens in clusters, every few days for weeks to a month or sometimes daily. Pain is intense and usually on one side and located around the eye or temple. Other symptoms of cluster headaches are runny nose, teary eyes, droopy eyelids, or puffiness of the face on the same side. This cluster of headaches is followed by periods free of symptoms before another cluster of headaches strikes.
Inflamed sinuses cause headaches. Symptoms include discomfort behind the forehead, severe pain when leaning forward and nasal discharge which is green or yellow.
This type of headache occurs 15 days or more each month, for longer than 3 months. It could either be short-lasting or persist for a longer period. Long-lasting headaches last for more than 4 hours. Symptoms include migraine and continuing tension-type headaches, new daily persistent headaches, and hemicrania continua (chronic and persistent headache marked by continuous pain).
Our professional team of providers and staff will provide you with the care that’s right for you.
Headaches can be debilitating, and often, they are linked to spinal issues or muscle tension. At N8 Family Chiropractic, we provide effective headache relief through precise chiropractic adjustments and muscle therapy. Our treatments focus on correcting spinal alignment and reducing neck tension, which are common triggers for both tension headaches and migraines. By restoring proper alignment and improving nerve function, we help alleviate headache frequency and intensity, enhancing your overall well-being.
Our chiropractors also offer personalized lifestyle and ergonomic advice to help manage and prevent headaches. With a focus on long-term relief, N8 Family Chiropractic ensures that you not only feel better but also experience fewer headaches, improving your quality of life.
Chiropractic care is effective in treating various types of headaches, including tension headaches, which are often caused by stress and muscle tension in the neck, and cervicogenic headaches, which originate from issues in the neck and spine. Chiropractic care can also sometimes help those suffering from migraine headaches by reducing triggers such as neck stiffness and tension.
Chiropractic treatment alleviates headaches by addressing the root causes that are often related to muscle tension and misalignments in the spine, particularly the neck. Techniques such as spinal manipulation, massage, and mobilization can reduce stress on the cervical spine and improve spinal function, which in turn can decrease the frequency and intensity of headaches.
Common chiropractic techniques for headache relief include cervical manipulation to improve spinal alignment and reduce nerve irritation, therapeutic massage to relax tense muscles, and mobilization techniques to increase range of motion. Additionally, chiropractors may recommend posture correction and ergonomic changes to help prevent the recurrence of headaches.
The speed of relief from headaches through chiropractic care can vary depending on the individual and the type of headache. Some patients may experience relief immediately following treatment, while others might notice a gradual improvement after several sessions. A personalized treatment plan will be developed based on your specific symptoms and response to initial treatments.
Yes, lifestyle changes can significantly complement chiropractic treatments for headaches. These may include adopting a better posture, especially if you spend long hours at a desk and incorporating regular physical activity into your routine, managing stress through techniques like yoga or meditation, and maintaining proper hydration. Dietary changes might also be recommended if certain foods are identified as triggers.
Our professional team of providers and staff will provide you with the care that’s right for you.
N8 Family Chiropractic provides quality chiropractic and wellness services at each of our locations. Whether you are young or young at heart, we believe chiropractic care can help you.
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