Tension headache – Feels like a headband pressing down on the head. These headaches can last from 30 minutes to almost non-stop for a whole week. Tension headaches can be caused by tight muscles in the neck and head. Chiropractic adjustments can be made by your chiropractor to release tension in the neck and head, especially the sub-occipital muscle at the base. These headaches are common for people who sit at a desk all day, such as those who drive or work at a computer.Stretch your neck and do all ranges of motion at least once an hour.
Migraine Headaches
These can be felt as throbbing and can occur on either one or both sides. These can last anywhere from a few hours up to three days. The headache can also cause sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and vomiting. These symptoms are usually caused due to a decrease of blood flow to the brain.
Your Chiropractor can help you – The vertebral arterial supplies blood to your brain. It runs straight up through the vertebrae in the neck. If one of these vertebrae is out of place, it can cause a kink or a decrease in blood flow to the brain. Feverfew, a medicinal herb of the Chrysanthemum plant family, is available over-the-counter at health food shops. It has been used for centuries as a headache treatment and has been proven to be beneficial by many users. Consult your Chiropractor to adjust your neck.
Cervicogenic Headaches
May or not be accompanied by neck pain. If pressed on, the muscles around the neck can become sore. These headaches are often mistaken for migraine headaches because they can present almost identically, with the same symptoms and sensitivities to light and sound. Although many of these headache sufferers have experienced neck trauma, such as a car accident, it is not always the case. Cervicogenic headaches can be caused by irritation of nerves that travel from the spinal cord to the head.
Your Chiropractor can help you – The openings that the bottom of one vertebra create for the nerves to exit your spinal cord are created by the top of the one above it. If the vertebrae of your neck are misaligned, the opening becomes narrower, causing irritation or compression to the nerves exiting at that level. Chiropractic adjustments are the best and most efficient way to restore these vertebrae to their correct positions. What you can do: Loss of the natural cervical curve, especially in people who have suffered neck trauma such as a car crash, is quite common. This natural curve can be restored by chiropractic care, as well as therapeutic stretching or strengthening.
Sinus Headache
Feels like a severe headache. It feels like there is pressure between the eyes or along the sides and back of your nose. These symptoms are caused by congestion in the sinuses. Your Chiropractor will adjust the neck to normalize nerve function.
Your Chiropractor may also recommend supplements to regulate your histamine levels, and dry out your sinuses. You can try saline solutions over-the-counter or a neti pot to get saltwater into your sinuses and dry out the mucous. Sinus infections can cause serious complications so it is important to treat them promptly.
Cluster Headache
Usually felt on one side, usually around your eye. Cluster headaches can last anywhere from 15 minutes to three hours and can occur multiple times per day. The pain can be dull and sharp, with a runny nose, watery eyelids, and reddening of the eyes. These headaches can be caused by irritation of nerves that travel to the eyes and face.
Your Chiropractor can help you: The trigeminal (trigem-inal) nerve exits the brain stem and exits your brain. The brain stem is located behind your neck’s first two bones. A neck adjustment can help to normalize nerve function and calm down nerves that are irritated. You can avoid alcohol, as it can trigger cluster headaches. Stress can also trigger cluster headaches. Take some time to relax and enjoy your own time.