Headaches: Understanding the Different Types and When Chiropractic Care May Help
Headaches are one of the most common health complaints, but not all headaches are the same. Some are related to stress or muscle tension, others may originate from structures in the neck, and some—such as migraines—can involve a much more complex set of symptoms. Understanding the type of headache you are experiencing can be an important first step toward finding the right treatment. At Summit Chiropractic in Hamilton, Bermuda, we evaluate patients with headaches and neck pain to help determine whether problems involving the neck, joints, muscles, posture, or movement may be contributing to their symptoms.
Tension-Type Headaches
Tension-type headaches are among the most common forms of headache.They are often described as a dull, aching pressure or tightness around the head. Some people describe the sensation as feeling like a band around the forehead or pressure at the temples.Tension-type headaches may also be accompanied by tightness or tenderness in the muscles of the neck, shoulders, and upper back. Common contributing factors can include: prolonged computer or desk work, poor posture, stress, muscle tension, fatigue, extended periods looking down at phones or other devices. When neck and upper-back tension is contributing to the problem, addressing mobility, posture, and muscular function may be an important part of treatment.
2. Cervicogenic Headaches
A cervicogenic headache is a headache in which pain originates from structures in the cervical spine—the neck—but is felt in the head. These headaches are particularly relevant to chiropractic care because dysfunction involving the joints, muscles, and other structures of the neck may contribute to the symptoms. Cervicogenic headaches are often associated with: neck pain or stiffness, reduced neck movement, pain that begins in the neck or base of the skull, headache symptoms that may be predominantly one-sided, symptoms aggravated by certain neck movements or sustained postures. Because the source of the headache may be in the neck, a chiropractic evaluation may include an examination of cervical movement, joint function, posture, and the surrounding musculature.
3. Migraine Headaches
Migraines are more than simply severe headaches. Migraine is a neurological disorder and can present quite differently from person to person. Migraine symptoms may include: moderate to severe head pain, throbbing or pulsating pain, pain that is frequently one-sided, nausea or vomiting, sensitivity to light or sound, visual disturbances or an “aura” in some individuals. Migraines can have many triggers, including changes in sleep, stress, certain foods, hormonal changes, dehydration, and other factors. Chiropractic care is not a cure for migraine, and migraine management may require medical treatment, however, some people who experience migraines also have significant neck pain, stiffness, or musculoskeletal dysfunction. When these factors are present, chiropractic care may be considered as one component of a broader headache-management approach.
4. Headaches Associated With Neck Strain and Posture
Modern lifestyles can place significant stress on the neck. Hours spent working at a computer, driving, using tablets, or looking down at a phone can contribute to sustained postural loading of the cervical spine and surrounding muscles. Over time, some people develop: neck and shoulder tightness, restricted neck movement, pain at the base of the skull, headaches associated with prolonged sitting or screen use. For these patients, headache treatment may involve more than simply addressing the area where the pain is felt. Improving neck mobility, muscular function, ergonomics, and everyday movement habits may also be important.
Can Chiropractic Care Help With Headaches?
For some patients, yes. Chiropractic care may be appropriate when headaches have a significant musculoskeletal component, particularly when they occur along with neck pain, stiffness, restricted movement, or postural strain. Depending upon the individual patient and the findings of the examination, chiropractic care may include: chiropractic manipulation or mobilization, soft-tissue techniques, exercises to improve mobility and strength, postural and ergonomic recommendations, advice regarding movement and activity. The goal is not simply to treat the location where the headache is felt. A chiropractor should also look for musculoskeletal factors that may be contributing to the symptoms.This is particularly important with cervicogenic headaches, where dysfunction in the neck itself may be involved in producing the headache.
When Should a Headache Be Medically Evaluated?
Most headaches are not caused by a serious underlying condition, however, certain symptoms require prompt medical attention. Seek urgent medical evaluation for a headache that: appears suddenly and is extremely severe or significantly different from your usual headaches, follows a significant head injury, occurs with weakness, numbness, difficulty speaking, confusion, fainting, or loss of coordination, occurs with fever and severe neck stiffness, is associated with new or significant vision changes, progressively worsens or changes substantially in pattern. A new or unusual headache should be properly evaluated rather than automatically assumed to be coming from the neck. Find the cause of your headaches because there are many different types and causes of headaches. A thorough evaluation is important. At Summit Chiropractic in Bermuda, we begin with a detailed history and examination. When appropriate, we assess cervical spine movement, joint and muscular function, posture, and other factors that may be contributing to headaches or associated neck pain. If your examination suggests that your headache requires further medical investigation or falls outside the appropriate scope of chiropractic care, we will recommend the appropriate referral. If recurring headaches are interfering with your work, sleep, exercise, or everyday life—particularly if they are accompanied by neck pain or stiffness—a chiropractic evaluation may help determine whether musculoskeletal factors are contributing.
Looking for a chiropractor in Bermuda for headaches or neck pain? Contact Summit Chiropractic Limited to schedule an evaluation.
Summit Chiropractic Limited, 14 Dundonald St. W., Hamilton, Bermuda +1 (441) 298-1414