It's Not a Migraine
By Sara Butler
Headaches impact the lives of millions of people across the United States every day. According to the National Institutes of Health, 73 percent of people suffer from headaches. The trouble is that there’s not just one type of a headache; there are actually several different kinds of headaches that can impact your life and health. People are quick to think they’re having a migraine when their head hurts, but the truth is that most of the time it’s not a migraine. So, if it’s not a migraine, then what is it?
It Might Be a Tension Headache
Tension headaches are one of the most common types of headaches, and the type most often treated by a chiropractor. The prevailing theory about the cause of a tension headache is that the muscles in the head and neck contract, leading to a headache. Chiropractors think these headaches begin in the neck, which is why adjustment of the neck is usually involved in helping to resolve them.
The most common symptoms of a tension headache include:
- Dull pain
- Achiness
- Tightness around the head
- Tender muscles in the neck
It Might Be a Cluster Headache
Cluster headaches are a bit rarer than other types of headaches, but that’s probably a good thing since they’re often much more painful than any other type of a headache. Cluster headaches occur in cyclical patterns – clusters. They come and go over a period of weeks or months, and then can go away for up to a year before coming back.
The symptoms of cluster headaches include:
- Pain near one eye
- Radiating pain to parts of the face, neck or head
- Sharp pain
- Burning pain
- Tearing in the affected eye
- Runny nose
- Redness in affected eye
Cluster headaches often don’t have triggers, but men are more likely to suffer from them. You’re also more likely to get them if a parent or sibling also suffers from them.
If you suffer from headaches, then you need to come into The Joint and see a chiropractor. They can help to diagnose what kind of a headache you may be suffering from and begin a course of treatment to help you find relief. Chiropractic care has been found to be effective in the treatment of different types of headaches, so your chiropractor will know where to take your treatment after your headache has been diagnosed.
Remember, at The Joint, you don’t need an appointment, so don’t hesitate to come in when you need to!