Migraines & Headaches

There are several types of headaches and migraines. Some of them are caused by incorrect posture and spinal alignment. Other types are caused by lifestyle factors such as your diet, stress levels, and day to day activities.

 

Types of Headaches

• Tension

Tension headaches are the most common. They usually cause a dull ache sensation or tightness in the muscles around the the head and neck. They can be caused by a number of factors but are often the result of stress, dehydration, hunger, poor posture or eyesight.

If the headache is being caused by poor posture, a full examination and possibly x-rays can help find the root cause of the problem.

• Cluster

This type of headache is usually associated with pain behind one eye. Most people experience them first thing in the morning but they can also come on suddenly throughout the day. And you may notice certain activities trigger them, like drinking alcohol or eating certain foods.

• Cervicogenic

Cervicogenic headaches happen when pain is referred from dysfunction in the neck (cervical spine region). Poor posture when sitting for a long time is a common cause of this type of headache. Pain is typically felt in the top and back of the head. Investigating the alignment in the cervical spine can help find the underlying problem. Depending on what the cause is, it can be treatable using one of our therapies such as shockwave or spinal decompression. In the long term, our spinal remodelling orthotics can also be beneficial.

• TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint)

The temporomadibular joint (TMJ) connects the jaw to the skull. The TMJ can be a cause of headaches as the result of a dental problem or tensing of the jaw, a common side effect of stress. TMJ headaches are often mistaken for tension headaches as they can cause pain around the face and ear. If you think you might be having TMJ headaches, a visit to your dentist can help find the root cause.

• Sinus

Headaches may also be caused by sinusitis (inflamed sinuses). You may feel a throbbing pain between your forehead and nose. This is caused by a build up of pressure inside the sinuses when the passage to your nose becomes blocked. You are also likely to notice congestion similar to cold or flu symptoms.

• Migraines

A migraine can be defined as a headache or series of recurring headaches that usually affect one side of the head. In some cases, they may affect both sides of the head. If you’re having a migraine, you’ll feel pain as a pulsating sensation in the head or face.

There are many causes of migraines, but most commonly, they happen as the result of:

o   Hormones: typically the headaches will begin around puberty during teenage years; they can be different during pregnancy and will end during the menopause. This is usually linked to the overproduction of oestrogen.

o   Vascular: as a result of fluctuating blood vessels in the brain

o   Neurological: neuronal under or over-excitability of the central nervous system.