There are many types of headaches: the most common ones include; Tension type, Cervicogenic, Migraine and cluster headaches.

Headaches are common and complex to diagnose. For some, they can seemingly strike at any time. The most common type is Tension Type headaches (TTH). nearly 90 percent of women and about 70 percent of men report suffering from at least one tension-type headache during their lifetime, while 37 percent of women and 21 percent of men experience them regularly.

TTH Is one of the most common forms of headaches yet they are not well understood.

Most people describe having a band of pressure around my head which can last up to a week. It is one of the most common forms of headaches yet they are not well understood. Most people describe having a band of pressure around my head which can last up to a week. It can be related to muscles tightening in back of neck and in proper alignment of joints of the spine.

Whilst

cervicogenic headaches (CH) are understood a little bit more. These are headaches which originates from your cervical spine (neck joints and base of skull region). Pain is aggravated by specific neck movements or prolonged postures of the neck and may radiate to the forehead, orbital region, temples all ears. Pain can be on one side as well as both sides of the head and face.

Both of these diagnoses often overlap with symptoms and can make it difficult to diagnose. The good news is that both can be helped by a variety of interventions. ? Yay!

 

Firstly you must ensure you get your headaches checked out to achieve the most likely diagnoses and concurrent help and advice be it from your local GP or even your local Chiropractor or musculoskeletal practitioner. As they will be able to tailor you treatment to you as an individual. Remember what works form some may not work for all.

 

As they are both headaches of muscle or joint origin – the best ways to combat these is through lifestyle changes. Here are some helpful tips:

– ?DRINK WATER – many people in the UK just do not drink enough water, often the first thing your practitioner will ask is do you drink enough water – simple and straightforward. ?

– ?Get it checked out!!Seek expert advice to help empower you and help the problem at the earliest stage – experts may recommend or provide – Joint mobilisations (to help loosen tight or restricted joints), massage and assisted stretched techniques, acupunture, medications and most certainly will tell you the best most up to date exercises to perform.

– ?/? use cold or hot packs – the greatest treatments are often the simplest!!

– ? neck / supportive pillows when sleeping (oh and make sure your sleeping enough too! – enough so you wake up naturally – check out our Sleeping blog for more info)

-traction or neck stretches (especially after prolonged poor neck postures)

-Exercise regularly – can reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches. Exercise relieves stress, relaxes your muscles and increases the levels of beta-endorphins, which are your body’s natural stress relievers. HOWEVER specific exercises are necessary to help with any pain for headaches – ask your local expert for exercises.

-Gently massage the muscles of your head, neck and shoulders with your fingertips. Or have someone else do the massage for you. A warm bath can also do wonders for those tight, achy and stiff muscles.

-Regularly changing your posture – can help keep your muscles from tensing up and reduce strain on your body. Especially if your sitting at a desk constantly!

-Record your headaches – when they occur and what you were doing before they started. Try to recognize the factors /patterns that cause or aggravate your headaches. Be sure to tell your chiropractor if you’ve noticed any changes in your usual headaches, such as frequency, duration or intensity, or if your headaches begin to worry you.

For some, headaches can be triggered by certain foods and even lifestyle factors like:

• Alcohol, particularly red wine
• Certain foods, such as processed meats
• Lack of sleep
• Poor posture
• Missed meals
• Excessive stress

Although these headaches may sound similar to migraines and you may think you have one rather than another this is where it pays to get it checked out! ?‍⚕️

 

 

How your chiropractor can help

A chiropractor is a spine, muscle, and nervous system expert. Trained in diagnosing the underlying cause of your frequent headaches.

After performing a comprehensive history and examination to determine whether the symptoms are coming from joint dysfunction of the spine or other surrounding structures like muscles. The chiropractor will also rule-out other possible causes and refer to appropriate medical professionals when needed for additional testing or care.

By performing a thorough history, they may also be able to determine if any lifestyles factors (e.g., diet, alcohol, or stress) may be triggers for your frequent headaches.

They will discuss your treatment options with you and answer questions you may have. Treatment options may include spinal manipulation or mobilisation, soft tissue therapy, and other modalities. Exercises may even be prescribed to help correct your posture.

Chiropractors, as part of your healthcare team, can help if you are suffering from headaches.