Headache - Classification, causes, duration, presentation, ergonomics.

Last updated 27/12/2023 by The pain clinics - Interdisciplinary Health

Headache - Classification, causes, duration, presentation, ergonomics.

Headache. Image: Wikimedia commons

Are you suffering from headaches? Most of us have had headaches from time to time and know how much it can affect our daily lives. According to figures from Norwegian Health Informatics (NHI), 8 out of 10 have had headaches one or more times during the year. In some it occurs rarely, while others may be bothered far more frequently. There are several types of presentations that give different forms of headaches.

tension headache

One of the most common forms of headaches is tension / stress headaches, and most often there are several causes for this. This type of headache can be aggravated by stress, a lot of caffeine, alcohol, dehydration, poor diet, tight neck muscles, etc. and is often experienced as a pressing / squeezing band around the forehead and head, as well as the neck in certain cases.

Migraine

Migraines have a different presentation, and mainly affect younger to middle-aged women. Migraine attacks can have a so-called 'aura', where, for example, you experience light disturbances in front of your eyes before the attack itself starts. The presentation is a strong, pulsating pain that settles on one side of the head. During the seizure, which lasts for 4-24 hours, it is normal for the affected person to become very sensitive to light and sound.

Cervicogenic headache

When tight neck muscles and joints are the basis of the headache, this is referred to as cervical headache. This type of headache is more common than most people think. Tension headaches and cervicogenic headaches usually overlap a good deal, forming what we call a combination headache. It has been found that headaches often result from tension and dysfunction in the muscles and joints at the top of the neck, upper back / shoulder blade muscles and the jaw. A chiropractor will work with both muscles and joints to provide you with functional improvement and symptom relief. This treatment will be adapted to each patient based on a thorough examination, which also takes into account the patient's overall health situation. The treatment will most likely consist of joint corrections, muscle work, ergonomic / posture counseling as well as other treatments that are appropriate for the individual patient.

Clinically proven effect on headache relief.

Chiropractic treatment, consisting of neck mobilization / manipulation and muscle work techniques, has a clinically proven effect on the relief of headaches. A systematic review of studies, a meta-study, conducted by Bryans et al (2011), published as “Evidence-based guidelines for the chiropractic treatment of adults with headaches. ” concluded that neck manipulation has a soothing, positive effect on both migraine and cervicogenic headaches - and thus should be included in the standard guidelines for the relief of this type of headache.

What does a chiropractor do?

Muscle, joint and nerve pain: These are things that a chiropractor can help prevent and treat. Chiropractic treatment is mainly about restoring movement and joint function that can be impaired by mechanical pain. This is done by so-called joint correction or manipulation techniques, as well as joint mobilization, stretching techniques, and muscular work (such as trigger point therapy and deep soft tissue work) on the involved muscles. With increased function and less pain, it may be easier for individuals to engage in physical activity, which in turn will have a positive effect on both energy and health.

Exercises, training and ergonomic considerations.

An expert in muscle and skeletal disorders can, based on your diagnosis, inform you of the ergonomic considerations you need to take to prevent further damage, thus ensuring the fastest possible healing time. After the acute part of the pain is over, in most cases you will also be assigned home exercises that also help to reduce the chance of relapse. In the case of chronic ailments, it is necessary to go through the motor movements you do in everyday life, so as to be able to weed out the cause of your pain occurring time and again.

Lecture or ergonomic fit for your business?

If you want a lecture or ergonomic fit for your company, please contact us. Studies have shown positive effects of such measures (Punnett et al, 2009) in the form of reduced sick leave and increased work productivity.

HELP - This can help with headaches:

Ergonomic cervical pillow - made of latex (read more):

Does it work? Ja, the evidence from several good studies (Grimmer-Sommers 2009, Gordon 2010) is clear: Cervical ergonomic pillow of latex is there Best you can rest your head on to Reduce neck pain, shoulder / arm pain, as well as better sleep quality and comfort. Invest in your own health today by tapping the image of the pillow above.

This concludes the studies when it comes to proper pillow use:

... "This study provides evidence to support recommendation of rubber pillows in the management of waking cervical pain, and to improve sleep quality and pillow comfort. » … - Grimmer-Sommers 2009: J Man Ther. 2009 Dec;14(6):671-8.

... "Latex pillows can be recommended over any other type of control waking headache and scapular / arm pain.»… - Gordon 2010: Pillow use: the behavior of cervical stiffness, headache and scapular / arm pain. J Pain Res. 2010 Aug 11;3:137-45.

Also read:

- Backache?

- Pain in the neck?

- Sore in the lower back?

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References:

1. Bryans, R. et al. Evidence-based Guidelines for the Chiropractic Treatment of Adults with Headache. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2011 Jun; 34 (5): 274-89.
2. Norwegian Health Informatics (NHI - www.nhi.no)
3. Punnett, L. et al. A Conceptual Framework for Integrating Workplace Health Promotion and Occupational Ergonomics Programs. Public Health Rep. , 2009; 124 (Suppl 1): 16–25.
   

- Do you suffer from headaches? Maybe you have been diagnosed with migraines? Feel free to ask us questions in the comments field if you have any questions.