TESION HEADACHE
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.5Tension headaches can cause mild to moderate pain and are often triggered by stress or fatigue.6
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.5Tension headaches can cause mild to moderate pain and are often triggered by stress or fatigue.6
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.
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. ACA accredited chiropractors are Australia’s leaders in chiropractic care – a proven, effective, low risk treatment for headaches.
Cervicogenic Headache
A cervicogenic (neck related) headache often presents as pain that starts in the neck8 and is caused by disorders affecting the top of the spine, involving the bones, joints, muscles, or ligaments of that area.9
Typically, a cervicogenic headache is usually one-sided, beginning in the neck, and then spreading to the region of the eyes, forehead, and temples.10
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 females11 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.
ACA chiropractors are university-trained healthcare professionals that apply precise and gentle spinal adjustments to correct spinal imbalance to successfully treat headaches.
Migraine
Migraines often begin as a dull headache, developing into a constant, throbbing, and pulsating pain at the temples, and at the front or back of the head. They are usually accompanied by nausea and vomiting and sensitivity to light and noise. Despite its impact, migraines are often under-diagnosed and under-treated.14
Studies have shown that migraines affect over 4.9 million Australians.1571% of migraine sufferers are women, which is thought to be due to hormonal factors.16 It is also estimated that a whopping 7.6% of migraine sufferers experience chronic migraine, which equates to more than 15 migraines per month.17
20% of migraines are ‘Classic’ migraines (with Aura) and 80% are ‘Common’ migraines (without Aura). An Aura is an important symptom that typically precedes the headache itself and includes blurred vision, blind spots, and pins and needles in the face, hands, or arms.
Unfortunately, migraines can begin in childhood, but often appear in a patient in their 20s or 30s. It is relatively uncommon after the age of 40, however different migraine types affect patients in different stages of life. Migraines can be a complex and varied disorder with a spectrum of severity, types and symptoms, which your chiropractor can help identify.
ACA accredited chiropractors can help diagnose migraine and provide drug-free care that’s been shown to decrease migraine duration and severity.
