top of page

Dealing with
Headaches

Headaches are very different in presentation, but the public commonly mix up the type of headache that they may be experiencing. The two most common headaches that we feel are Tension Type Headaches and Migraines.

Tension type headaches usually occur due to increase stress and bad posture. Working more hours, studying, slouching when sitting or standing, a family member dying or moving house, are all factors that can cause tension in the neck and shoulder muscles, and even into the small muscles at the base of your skull and across your jaw. The tension produced in these muscular structures can cause referred pain from the base of your head to your ear and even round to the forehead and behind your eyes. This is the typical presentation of a tension type headache. Other factors that can cause tension type headaches are sitting at a computer screen with your neck flexed forward, or whiplash injuries or even neck pain.

Migraine headaches tend to be directly related to a stimulus. In other words something triggers the headache off. Some people find that they are photosensitive, in other words a strong light which flashes into their eyes can trigger off a migraine; others find that eating certain foods cause the migraine to begin. Finding the stimulus that triggers off the headache is one of the key factors in decreasing the number of headaches that you experience.

Did you KNow?

Headaches can stop you in your tracks, whether it be tension type, migraines or neck related, there are few things more frustrating than a headache. Headaches listed as the second most common reason someone will visit a Chiropractor.

Signs & Symptoms

Tension type band around the forehead

Tension type band around the base of the skull

Pulsating pain on the temple

Blurred vision

Haze in vision (sometimes seen as bright lights or stars)

How does Chiropractic Help?

Chiropractic care has fantastic results when treating tension type headaches. Loosening out the spinal joints in the neck and the surrounding musculature relieves tension on the nerves of the neck which cause tension headaches.

 

Good results are displayed with migraine headaches however it is important to find the stimulus that causes the headache as well as undergoing treatment for the migraine.

bottom of page