Headache

Headache and migraine are among the most common and debilitating conditions that exist in society today. They create a whole range of issues for sufferers, especially a huge loss in productivity for those who suffer with them. While there are more than 56 classifications of headaches according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders, today we will  talk about the most common types of headache seen in our practice, and our approach to helping you manage your headaches.

While any pain in the head can be called a headache, there are different descriptors of pain that patients often use.
This includes words such as:
*Throbbing/pulsing
*Aching
*Pressure (often at the forehead or behind the eyes) *Sharp/knife like/stabbing
*Foggy/tired
*Tightness (often at the base of the skull, or around the entire head)

Headaches can also occur in different areas of your head, including: 
*Across your forehead
*Behind one or both eyes
*The base of your skull
*A band around the whole head
*Inside or around your ear

Each of these different types of pain can mean the headache is originating in a different area of your head, neck or even upper back. For example, tightness in the suboccipital muscles in the top of your neck can cause a dull headache that sits behind your eyes and makes you feel foggy, tired, like you can’t think straight.

There are many causes for headache that can arise from your spine and associated muscles. Joint restrictions in your neck and upper back can limit movement and create stiffness and restriction in your head and neck movements. Many muscles in your neck and shoulders can refer pain to various parts of your head when there is a trigger point, or ‘knot’ present. 

These joint restrictions and tight muscles can be caused by many different things, but most often, we see poor posture (rounded shoulders and head dropped forward) as a major factor. This poor posture often occurs when you are on a screen, whether working at your desk or on a laptop, or using your phone.

​There are lots of small changes that make a big difference when altering your posture, so don’t forget to ask us for some ergonomic tips next time you are in for an adjustment!
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When you come into our practice with headaches, we will ask lots of questions about your headache to make sure we know what is happening for you. We will then do an assessment, which involves checking your posture, range of movement in your neck and palpation (touching your neck and back to feel restrictions or tight muscles). We then work with you to create a plan to reduce your headaches, involving chiropractic care and home stretches and exercises.

Evidence suggests that chiropractic care, including spinal manipulation, improves migraine and cervicogenic headaches. So if you have headaches or migraine, consider chiropractic care to help you manage this debilitating condition. And remember, just because headaches are common, doesn’t mean they are normal!

References: 
​https://ichd-3.org/ 
Bryans R, Descarreaux M, Duranleau M, et al. Evidence based guidelines for the chiropractic treatment of adults with headache. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2011; 34: 274-89.

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