Headaches are painful and can interrupt your daily activities. While they come in many forms such as migraines, tension headaches, sinus headaches, and cluster headaches, with their own set of symptoms, they all have one commonality - they cause immense pain.
Here's a quick reference list of the different types of headaches you may be experiencing, and how a local chiropractor for neck pains and headaches can possibly help you manage or eliminate your symptoms.
Migraine headaches are often described as the most painful, and the most likely to be a recurring problem. They are often described as a throbbing or pounding pain that affects the whole head, or can be localised to either side. The pain experienced by migraine sufferers is often described as moderate to severe.
If you're experiencing any of the following symptoms, it may be time to seek chiropractic care for migraines:
Migraines usually last anywhere from 4 hours to 3 days, and can be debilitating. They can have a long list of triggers such as drinking alcohol, periods of stress or anxiety, loud noises, certain foods or medications, high altitudes, and crying.
For those seeking natural remedies for migraines, chiropractic care has been proven to reduce the frequency of attacks and their intensity. Spinal manipulation has also been proven to offer natural migraine relief without the side effects of medications.
Many describe tension headaches as feeling like they have a tight band around their head. This is the most common type of headache and is known to cause mild to moderate pain. The pain caused by a tension headache is usually localised to the front, top, or sides of the head, and has a gradual onset.
How long do tension headaches last?
Tension headaches can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 7 days. Some sufferers may also experience chronic tension headaches that can occur for more than 15 days in a month. These chronic tension headaches are always present, but vary in intensity.
Turn to a chiropractor for tension headaches if you're experiencing:
The pain associated with tension headaches does not cause associated symptoms like vomiting or nausea in the same way that migraines would. Some believe that tension headaches may have a root cause in contractions of the neck muscles and scalp, or possible changes in brain chemicals. Chiropractic adjustments help address muscle tension in the region with great success rates for tension headache sufferers.
Cluster headaches affect men more than women and occur in cycles. These recurring headaches are characterised by debilitating pain localised on one side of the head, and can be accompanied by nasal congestion or watery eyes. Unlike other types of headaches, people suffering from cluster headaches tend to feel restless and unable to relax. The onset of cluster headaches is sudden and severe, often waking sufferers up in the middle of the night with ocular pressure. Symptoms of cluster headaches include:
Upper cervical adjustments may be for you if you feel:
During a bout of cluster headaches, the sufferer may experience headaches lasting anywhere from 15 minutes to 3 hours, at the same time each day in the attack period. The pain vanishes as quickly as it appears but leaves the sufferer exhausted. What is the best treatment for cluster headaches? It is believed that proper upper cervical adjustment may help reduce the onset of cluster headaches, as it allows the occipital nerve to function normally. Some patients have also found cluster headache relief through massage therapy.
After years of suffering and numerous weeks of going to bed thinking his head was going to explode, Dr. Lanoue was able to completely get rid of recurrent sinusitis and sinus headaches through chiropractic care. Sinus headaches are usually caused by sinusitis - an inflammation or infection of the tissues in the sinus cavities. Sinusitis can be acute or chronic, with the former lasting about 4 weeks, while the latter can last from 8 weeks on.
Ask us about chiropractic sinus adjustment if you experience:
Pain associated with sinus headaches is described as deep and constant. Chiropractic sinus relief for sinus headaches and sinusitis can include treatments like trigger point therapy, sinus relief massage, manipulation, nasal specific and others that are discussed in depth with you during your consultation. The right combination of chiropractic techniques and therapies may help alleviate sinus pain and any sinus-related headaches you may be experiencing.
For more information about our safe and effective chiropractic treatment options for any of the headaches above or other pain conditions, schedule an appointment or contact our chiropractic clinic in Mississauga today.
