Being able to think clearly and calmly allows us to carry our day-to-day tasks a bit easier. Unfortunately, most Canadians will suffer a headache at least once in their lifetime.
The reason for headaches may vary from one person to another. There are many factors that may cause you to suffer the debilitating effects of headaches from tight neck muscles, poor posture, lack of sleep, stress, to injuries.
• Tension-type - often feels like a tight band squeezing the head from tense neck and head muscle. It is often described as non-throbbing, dull, and achy. Factors associated can include stress and poor posture.
• Cervicogenic - often feels like a steady (non-throbbing) one-sided headache that stems from the neck. Pain can be triggered or worsened with neck movements or sustained awkward head positioning. Cervicogenic headaches are caused due to an underlying disc, joint, muscle, or nerve disorder in the neck.
• Migraines - often feels like a throbbing or pulsing one-sided headache. It is frequently associated with nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity, and/or noise sensitivity. Migraines can be preceded by an aura (a flash of light or blind spot). Neck pain associated with migraines are common and may start before or during the migraine attack.
Chiropractors can assess, diagnose, and manage headaches; and in some cases refer out or co-manage. The types of headache most commonly seen and treated in the clinic are tension headaches, cervicogenic headaches and migraines. A combination of treatment options including soft tissue therapy and chiropractic manual therapy can help to stimulate the localized areas and lessen the tightening of the muscles and joints in your neck and head.
Patient education, rehabilitative exercises, ergonomic and lifestyle changes may also be part of the treatment plan. Often identifying headache triggers such as diet (i.e. caffeine, MSG, alcohol, and medication), behaviours (sustained head posture, or particular neck movements associated with recreational job, or daily activities), or environment is a first step in decreasing frequency and duration of headaches.
Take back control by regaining your best health and continue your days headache-free with a chiropractic treatment.
Give us a call at (604) 496-0626, email at
info@paradisechiropractic.ca, or book online at https://paradisechiropractic.janeapp.com