Headaches Treatment
Tension
What is it?
Tension headaches are the most common form of headaches. They are caused by muscles surrounding the head and neck becoming too tight and causing referred pain, this isoften described as feeling like someone is squeezing the head, in a band-like distribution.
How does it present?
Usually pain at the forehead that extends across like a band. Many people describe it feeling as if the head is being squeezed.
Why has it happened?
Poor posture and stress can contribute to muscles becoming tight and irritable. This in turn causes pain and discomfort radiating into the head and neck.
How can we help?
Correcting posture and releasing the muscles that are a common cause through various methods will often provide fast, lasting relief.
Migraine
What is it?
Migraines are chronic headaches believed to be caused neurovascular changes in the brain. It’s believed around 12% of population will experience migraines, with around 90% of initial episodes occurring before the age of 40.
How does it present?
Migraines typically last between 4-72 hours and symptoms can be severe. Alongside this pain, other symptoms such as blurred vision or nausea may occur.
Why has it happened?
Migraine is theorised to be a pain syndrome of neurovascular origin. This essentially means it is a disorder of the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord)
How can we help?
Studies suggest that relaxation, spinal manipulation and massage therapy is equally efficient to certain medications in the management of migraine.
Cluster
What is it?
Cluster headaches are extremely painful, and fortunately the rarest type of headache.
How does it present?
They are characterised by short, intense attacks of pain typically lasting from between 15-180mins. Pain is usually localised to one eye, tearing and congestion on the same side might also be present.
Why has it happened?
They are caused by a disorder of the neurovascular system. The conditions is not fully understood.
How can we help?
It is unclear if physical or manual therapy can help with cluster headaches. A thorough case history might aid a diagnosis and appropriate referal.
Cervicogenic
What is it?
This type of headache results directly from dysfunction of the cervical spine (neck) and its associative tissues.
How does it present?
Cervicogenic headaches will often last between hours and days, with episodes more commonly occurring at the end of the day. Neck movements and pressure applied to the upper cervical vertebra will often cause aggravation. Pain is usually felt stemming up from the back of the neck over the head and around the eye.
Why has it happened?
Dysfunction to the upper 3 cervical (neck) vertebrae are often responsible for the onset and referal of pain. Disruption to the joints, disc, ligaments, or musculature around this area could therefore cause symptom onset.
How can we help?
Thorough physical assessment of the head and neck can provide an insight into structures that might be causing pain and discomfort. A treatment plan can then be created to restore function, relieve pain and prevent reoccurrence.