Headaches can have many origins. Properly diagnosing your headache is the first step to help find relief.
Tension: This is the most common type of headache and is felt as band-like pressure around the head. Common triggers are poor posture, stress, fatigue, and dehydration. These headaches are typically caused by tightening of muscles.
Cervicogenic: These headaches are typically felt at the base of the skull but can refer pain to other regions of the head. They are caused by tight muscles and joints in the cervical spine (neck ).
Migraine: Symptoms usually appear along one side of the face and can include sharp pains, nausea, and sensitivity to light, sound, and/or smell. Common triggers are going too long without eating, certain foods, stress, hormonal changes, and fatigue.
Sinus: Usually felt in the centre of the forehead or on either side of the nose, sinus headaches typically occur with change in pressure or are seasonal.
TMJ: The temporomandibular joint can cause intense pain in front of the ears and locking of the jaw. Pain here can be from tight muscles and misalignments of the joint or its disc.
Cluster: These start as pain behind one eye, and can occur daily for weeks or months at a time. Cluster headaches tend to be seasonal and can be mistaken for allergies. The exact cause is unknown.
If you are suffering from headaches, book a complimentary consultation with Dr Jennifer Peterson, DC, MCAI for an assessment to see if chiropractic care can help. Call 091 567055 to make an appointment.
