What type of headache do you have?

Do you regularly suffer from headaches? Do you know what headache you are suffering from? Here you get an overview of the different types - along with good advice.

Who has a headache?

Are you bothered by a headache? 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, 8 out of 10 have had a headache 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.

Cervicogenic headache (neck-related headache)

When tight neck muscles and joint locks are the basis for the headache, this is referred to as cervicogenic 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 shown that headaches often result from tension and dysfunction in the muscles and joints at the top of the neck, muscles in the upper back / shoulder blade and the jaw. A clinician will work with both muscles and joints to give you functional improvement and symptom relief. This treatment will be adapted to each individual 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 / position counseling and other forms of treatment (such as heat or cold treatment) that are appropriate for the individual patient.

Tension / stress 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. Occurs frequently in combination with underlying cervicogenic headache. Some good ways to reduce this type of headache can be physical therapy (joint mobilization, massage and muscle work) meditation, yoga, light stretching, breathing techniques and generally do less in everyday life.

Migraine

Migraines have a different presentation, and mainly target younger to middle-aged women. Migraine attacks can have a so-called 'aura', where, for example, you experience light disturbances before the eyes before the attack itself starts. The presentation is a strong, pulsating pain that sits on one side of the head. During the attack, which lasts for 4-24 hours, it is normal for the affected person to become very light and sound sensitive. It has been seen that migraine attacks can be triggered by certain types of food, alcohol, weather changes and hormonal changes.

Drug-induced headache

Prolonged and frequent use of painkillers is one of the most common causes of chronic headaches.

Rare types of headaches:

- Cluster Headache / cluster headaches most commonly affected men are reported as one of the most painful disorders we have, also called Horton's headache.
- Headaches caused by other illnesses: infections and fever, sinus problems, high blood pressure, brain tumor, poisoning injury.

- trigeminal neuralgia

Common causes of headache and headache

- Malfunction of the neck muscles (myalgia) and joints
- Head injuries and neck injuries, including whiplash / whiplash
- Jaw tension and bite failure
- Stress
- Drug use
- Patients with migraine have an inherited hypersensitivity to the nervous system
- Menstruation and other hormonal changes, especially in those with migraines

Chiropractic and physical treatment for headaches?

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 (the strongest form of research), 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.

How to prevent headaches and headaches

- Live healthy and exercise regularly
- Seek well-being and avoid stress in everyday life
- Stay in good physical shape
- Drink enough water and stay hydrated
- If you use painkillers regularly, consider stopping this for a few weeks. If you have a medication-induced headache, you will experience that you will get better over time.

Do you have questions for the exercises or do you need more tips? Ask us directly via sheep facebook page - our affiliated nurse, physiotherapist or chiropractor will answer your question - completely free.

Relevant article: - What is the terrible disorder trigeminal neuralgia?