Maintaining clear and calm thinking enables us to make good
decisions, better manage emotions, and navigate daily tasks
easily and efficiently. However, this required mental
alertness can be quickly lost to an intense or sudden onset
headache. While occasional headaches are common, frequent ones
interrupting sleep or hindering daily functioning can be
disabling.
Different Types of Headaches
A primary headache is considered a stand-alone condition
independent of any other health issue. Examples of these types
of headaches include -
-
Tension Headaches — headaches from tension
that happen episodically are very common and usually feel
like a tight band around your head. They are often the
result of prolonged muscle tension in your neck, shoulders,
or head.
-
Migraine Headaches — These present with
pain on one side of the head and frequently show up along
with extraordinary sensitivity to sound and light,
dizziness, and nausea. The root cause is still not fully
understood; however, most researchers agree they can be
attributed to a combination of factors that may include
vascular or neurological changes.
-
Cervicogenic Headaches — Unlike other
headache types, cervicogenic headaches are triggered by
structural problems in the neck, which might include -
- A misalignment of the cervical spine
- Muscle tension
- Nerve irritation
Other types of headaches include secondary headaches, which
are headaches that are a symptom of another underlying or
different condition. Examples of secondary headaches include
those caused by –
- Sinus issues
- TBI/Concussion
- Infection
- Medication
- Hypertension
- TMJ
- Sleep Disorders
- Hormonal changes, and more
If you suffer from chronic or intense headaches, it may be
time to see a chiropractor.
How Can a Chiropractic Professional Help?
Chiropractors undergo comprehensive training and education to
assist clients in various ways beyond treating low back pain.
They understand how tension throughout the spine corresponds
to problems that manifest in other parts of the body and they
also have the tools and techniques to offer the symptom relief
you seek.
The important thing to note is that chiropractors treat
individuals rather than just the symptom or the condition. The
care provided by chiropractic professionals can be tailored to
treat a specific type of headache and may include one or more
of the following -
-
Spinal manipulations or chiropractic adjustments help
optimize spinal function and reduce or eliminate the stress
on your system
-
Diversified Massage Therapies, which include specialized
approaches –
- Kneading and relaxation of joints and muscles
-
Myofascial release of the membranes that connect and support
your muscles
- Electrical Stimulation Therapy
- Therapeutic Ultrasound
-
Joint mobilization gently moves the joints to relieve pain
and improve mobility. This type of chiropractic treatment
targets the cervical spine when treating painful headaches
-
Nutritional guidance/diet advice, including the addition of
B complex vitamins
-
Guidance and education offer clients a chance to proactively
relieve their joint irritation and muscle tension of the
neck and upper back. These would include –
- Correct Posture
- Ergonomics (Related to Work Postures)
- Exercises
- Relaxation Techniques
It's crucial to treat headaches seriously. If you experience
frequent headaches, rely on pain relievers routinely, notice
changes in the pattern of your headaches, or find your
headaches become worse or more intense, consulting a
chiropractor is advisable.
Additionally, seek emergency attention if your headache comes
on suddenly or becomes severe, follows a head injury, or is
combined with a fever, stiff neck, weakness, numbness, or
difficulty speaking.
|