There are multiple types of headaches that a person can experience. These headaches can be caused due to multiple factors. When people experience headaches they usually wait for it to pass or take medications to help them feel better. Treating headaches like this only treats the symptoms and not the cause. Finding out the cause of the headaches can help to improve treatment options. Chiropractic care is one of the best ways to treat headaches. There are many types of headaches that chiropractors treat through therapies and adjustments. In this post, we will discuss the four main types of headaches that chiropractors treat.
Tension Headaches
Tension headaches are the most common type of headaches. They can be categorized into two types. Episodic, which occur fewer than 15 days per month, or chronic, which occur more than 15 days per month. The pain is felt on both sides of the head and feels like a tight band is squeezing the head. This type of headache can be caused by stress, poor posture, and tight muscles in the neck or face, among other things. Other factors that can trigger this type of headache are skipping meals, alcohol, smoking, anxiety, jaw or dental issues, and low iron levels. Chiropractic care can help treat this headache with a variety of treatment options. Working to realign the bones in the neck with adjustments can help to take the pressure from the nerves that lead into the head and the muscles in the area. Also, working on the muscles to stretch them out and get them to relax can reduce the symptoms of a tension headache and help reduce the occurrence of possible future headaches. Therapies such as electrical muscle stimulation can help to increase the blood flow in the neck muscles helping to alleviate the stress on those muscles. At Apex Chiropractic, we utilize adjustments, manual therapy for the muscles, and electrical muscle stimulation to help treat tension headaches.
Cervicogenic Headaches
Cervicogenic headaches are a result of dysfunction in the neck. This can be due to injuries or traumas, poor posture, tight or irritated musculature, damage to the discs between the vertebrae, subluxations of the vertebrae in the neck, or degenerative changes in the neck due to arthritic conditions. People who work jobs that require a lot of computer work are more likely to suffer from a cervicogenic headaches due to the poor posture that it can cause. This type of headache presents itself with neck pain which is usually on one side of the neck and travels to the head on the same side. It can feel like a steady ache or dull pain that can be mistaken for migraines. Some symptoms to look out for when suspecting a cervicogenic headache are a stiff neck with pain on one side, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, sensitivity to light or sound, and pain, numbness or tingling in the arms or fingers. The best form of chiropractic treatment for this type of headache depends on what is causing the dysfunction in the neck. Overall, a combination of adjustments to realign the bones of the neck, decompression therapy to stretch out the disc spaces in the neck, along with postural related corrections are a great way to treat this condition. At Apex Chiropractic, we utilize adjustments, decompression therapy, and postural corrective exercises to help with cervicogenic headaches.
Cluster Headaches
A cluster headache is a rare type of headache. This kind of headache can be very painful and occurs frequently over a short period of time, hence the name cluster headache. It can occur from weeks to months at a time lasting anywhere from 30 – 90 minutes, or even longer. The pain usually feels like a sharp burning sensation on one side of the head or face and can also be felt around the eye. This type of headache affects the trigeminal nerve which provides sensations to the face. The cause for this type of headache is not known, but there are factors that can trigger cluster headaches. These factors include, but are not limited to, alcohol, smoking, bright lights, high altitudes, heat, and foods high in nitrates. Symptoms for this headache include burning pain on the side of the face/head, eye redness/watering, red/warm face, sensitivity to light, and eye drooping. Seeking chiropractic care for cluster headaches can be beneficial. Treatments for this type of headache could include adjustments to the upper neck to release the locked joints so that the nervous system can function properly, and stretching or massaging of the musculature in the area to help relax the muscles. At Apex Chiropractic, we perform adjustments to the cervical spine and use the Hypervolt massage gun to release tension in the area and unlock the nerves that could be affected.
Migraine Headaches
Most people think of a migraine headache as just a really bad headache. However, true migraine headaches have a very specific set of symptoms associated with them. Migraine headaches usually occur on one side of the head and can feel like a throbbing pain. This type of headache comes in different stages. The first stage is the prodrome stage. In this stage, a person may experience irritability, sensitivity to light and sound, food cravings, difficulty in speaking and reading, fatigue, and difficulty with sleep. This stage can last from hours to days. The second stage is the aura stage. In this stage, a person may experience visual disturbances, temporary loss of sight, and numbness or tingling in parts of the body. This stage can last from 5 – 60 minutes. The third stage is the headache stage. In this stage a person may experience throbbing pain on one side of the head, burning, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, depressed mood, and neck pain or stiffness. This stage may last from 4 – 72 hours. The final stage is called the postdrome stage. In this stage, a person may experience inability to concentrate, fatigue, depressed mood, and lack of comprehension. This stage can last from 24 – 48 hours. Not much is known about what causes migraines, but it can be a genetic condition. Seeking chiropractic care can help treat the symptoms of migraines. Getting adjustments to the vertebrae of the neck can help the nervous system function properly along with stretching the musculature in the area to release tension in the muscles. At Apex Chiropractic, we utilize adjustments, stretches, and exercises for the neck to help relieve the symptoms of migraines.
Overall, dealing with any kind of headache can be very stressful and hard. Seeking chiropractic care for headaches can help alleviate symptoms and help find the root cause of these headaches. Chiropractic care can also help with decreasing the frequency of headaches in the future. If you or someone you know is suffering from headaches, feel free to call us at our office to make an appointment or you can schedule online. If you have any questions, please leave them below and we will be sure to answer them.