Headaches and Migraines

This is the third most common reason a patient will come in and see us.

There are many factors that may trigger a migraine or a tension headache including:

Stress

Heat

Lack of sleep

Hormonal imbalances

Alcohol consumption

Hunger

Bright lights

Loud sounds

Pain in another region of the body

Recent eye or dental surgery

Sinusitis, hayfever or allergies

Viral infections

Certain foods

Chewing and eating

Certain medications

70% of people who suffer from migraines experience at least one premonitionary symptom hours or days before the headache. Perhaps they will feel tired and start to yawn, others will become irritable and find it hard to concentrate. Some experience a mild increase in the desire to urinate.

Once the migraine headache is initiated by one or a combination of the above stress factors, the headache may follow one of the following paths:

1. Migraines with Aura:

20% of people who experience migraines will also experience an aura in the form of numbness or visual disturbances such as a partial loss of vision, flashes of light or wavy lines. Typically this aura phase will last up to 60 minutes.

2. Migraines without Aura

3. Tension Headaches:

Sufferers of tension headache may complain of nausea or blurred vision as well as depression and one-sided head pain.

Most people that we see tend to exhibit a preference for one headache personality more than the other. Those who demonstrate biochemical susceptibility such as hormonal imbalances, food intolerances and sensitivity to perfumes, for example, will probably veer more towards a migraine type headache.

For those who are stressed and have neck problems it is probable they will exhibit tension headache characteristics.

Anecdotally, chiropractors appear to help many types of headache. Moreover, the evidence suggests that those who suffer neck pain first will do far better with chiropractic treatment than those whose headaches start within the skull.

Important

There are a small percentage of headaches that can be caused by underlying medical conditions and require urgent medical attention. For instance:

If you experience acute headaches clearly different from anything you have ever experienced before.

A very severe headache that began very suddenly particularly after recent head trauma.

Diffuse headache with neck stiffness and fever could be meningitis.

Head pain centred over one eye could be acute glaucoma.

If the headaches are getting progressively worse.

Back In Health has the skills to assess your pain and isolate the likely causes. We always look at a problem as a whole to help you to return to pain-free function as quickly as possible. Here's a sample of some of the remedial avenues we can explore for you to get you back on track sooner:

Safe, simple & efficient Chiropractic treatments. Click here to find out more.

Postural assessments - poor posture often contributes to neck trouble and headaches.

Neuro-Emotional techniques to investigate the role that emotional stress can play in tension headaches and migraines.

Investigate possible improvements through overcoming dietary imbalances.

Remedial exercise prescription.

Hormonal imbalances.

As you can see, there's a real chance that you can get on top of your headaches. Call us now at the location most convenient to you and starting taking back control. It is vital that the cause of the headaches is properly treated. Without treatment headaches usually become more frequent and, or, more severe.

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