TYPES OF HEADACHES

Migraine and tension-type headaches are the most prevalent headache disorders, both with disabling potential having the greatest impact on public health. With more than 7 million Australians suffering from debilitating tension headaches and more than 4.9 million suffering chronic migraine; the economic impact to Australia exceeds $35.7 billion annually.

However, the real cost to headache sufferers is immeasurable. Every day, headaches impact the lives of more than 46% of Australians causing debilitating pain and robbing sufferers of productive time at work and study, essential relaxation and social activities, and precious time with children, family and friends.

Migraine and tension headaches are the most common headache disorders, but there are many types of headaches, and many triggers that can cause them. While some headaches are just a mild inconvenience, others can be severe, chronic and have a debilitating effect on the daily life of sufferers.

Studies have shown that university trained chiropractors provide reliable, low risk, effective treatment for the three most common types of headaches - tension and cervicogenic (neck-related) headaches and migraines with notable improvement in cervicogenic headaches following chiropractic treatment.

While one study suggested that spinal manipulation of the neck and mid back is more effective than mobilisation and exercise in reducing cervicogenic headaches, another study found chiropractic adjustments reduced migraines in 72 percent of people surveyed and decreased their duration and severity.

And although pain medications (prescription and over the counter) may provide temporary relief from headache, it’s often a ‘Band-Aid’ solution that treats the symptoms but not the cause.

Often there are lifestyle factors that may be responsible for headaches that occur at home or at work. These might include diet or sedentary behaviours that our chiropractors can identify during an assessment, enabling sufferers to modify these behaviours to manage headaches or avoid them altogether and improve patient’s overall health and wellbeing.

A tension headache is often described as a ‘hat band’ tightness around the forehead, temples, and back of the head. When a tension headache is infrequent and relates to specific stress – they are referred to as ‘episodic’. However, when they occur most days over a period of one month or more, they are referred to as ‘chronic’ and require active and ongoing care.

Tension headaches are the most common cause of a headache in the general population causing mild to moderate pain.(4) It is estimated that up to seven million Australians suffer from tension-type headaches.(5)

Tension headaches can cause mild to moderate pain and are often triggered by stress or fatigue.(6)

Chronic tension-type headaches may be the result of pressure and fatigue, but can also frequently be attributed to physical problems, psychological issues, or depression. Other triggers may include poor posture, eye strain from excessive screen time, dehydration, caffeine dependence or withdrawal, smoking, and bright and or noisy environments. Chronic tension headaches can be disabling.

Research has shown that manual therapy such as chiropractic care has been effective in the reducing frequency, intensity, and impact of a headache, both at a short-term and long-term follow-up.(7)

Chiropractic care provides an effective, reliable drug-free treatment for tension headaches and minimises reoccurrence. 

Chiropractic care is a proven, effective, low risk treatment for headaches.

Most of the time it is accompanied by uncomfortable neck pain, and as a result, your range of neck motion can be limited – but this is not always the case. Cervicogenic headaches are 2-3 times more common in females(11) and are most common in people who are 30 to 44 years old.(12)

During a cervicogenic headache pain is of variable duration and of moderate to severe intensity – but not excruciating or throbbing.13

As it is believed that cervicogenic headaches are caused by disorders affecting the top of the spine, chiropractic care can be an effective form of treatment.

Mosman chiropractors at Nomad are university-trained healthcare professionals that apply precise and gentle spinal adjustments to correct spinal imbalance to successfully treat headaches.

There are many changes going on in the body during pregnancy, which is why occasionally headaches can be experienced. This can be due to and or associated with:the obvious increase in blood volume in the body,your changes in body posture and weight, the hormones being released and tension on the spine. Other sources of headaches may be likely to be coming from vertebral restrictions, poor neck posture, altered biomechanics of the jaw, neck and or upper back.

Migraine, tension type, sinus and cervicogenic are all common headaches that can present at any stage through life, and now when pregnant they can too present.

• Headaches during your first trimester of pregnancy are most commonly caused by dehydration, nausea/vomiting, stress, lack of sleep, little physical activity or could be from food triggers, such as dairy, chocolate or tomatoes.

• Headaches in the second and third trimesters are more commonly due to the body changes, extra weight, posture, muscle strain and tightness.

Recommendations for headaches during your pregnancy:

• physical activity - lets get moving! Walking, swimming, yoga, pilates - light exercise during pregnancy is amazing.

• get regular sleep;

• eat regularly;

• drink plenty of water;

• rest often - you’re growing a human(s) !

• manage stress;

• seek professional help if you’re unsure, concerned, or if it’s like a headache you’ve never had before…
  
  Headaches can also be a healthy reminder that the body needs more water. Your local Chiropractor’s love working with pregnant mothers so come on up to get a check and see what the cause of your headaches are.

!!! Further to this there are three types of hypertension headaches in pregnancy which require the assistance of your obstetrician, midwife or GP and they include:

Chronic hypertension, Gestational hypertension - mostly common to present around 20 weeks and Pre-Eclampsia. Pre-Eclampsia is associated with severe frontal headaches, abdominal pain, sudden onset of swelling in the face, hands and or feet, nausea/vomiting. Although preeclampsia only develops in up to 10% of pregnant women. *If you are experiencing severe headaches, call your pregnancy professional: midwife/obstetrician/health care GP immediately.

Chiropractic care may help some pregnancy related headaches (but not all). Chiropractic care may help settle and keep the nervous system healthy through adjustments to the spine and extremity as well as cranial movements! Your nervous system is the command center for your entire body and sometimes it needs care to keep working effectively. So if you are feeling some nervous system symptoms, get adjusted, eat a healthy diet and keep moving!

At Nomad Chiropractic, our ACA accredited chiropractic healthcare professionals are trained to identify the causes of headaches and provide specialised low-risk, effective drug-free treatment for people of all ages.

So, if you or someone you know is among the 11.9 million Australians suffering from headaches or migraines and you’re tired of headaches holding you back, contact us today to make an appointment so you can take back control of your life. Call/SMS Kristin, Sandy & Lucy on 0491 064 117