What Type of Headache Do You Have?
Over 90% of people will have at least one headache in their life. For some, occasional headaches can turn into a daily occurrence that disturbs both work and hobbies. In many cases, headaches aren’t associated with a disease but are instead a result of your daily habits and actions. The most common triggers for a headache include stress, fatigue, lack of sleep, hunger, and caffeine withdrawal.
Tension, Sinus, and Migraine
Being aware of the type of headache you have and its triggers is the first step toward finding relief. Many neurological headache conditions can be influenced by a combination of physical and lifestyle factors, making it important to understand your unique symptom patterns. Stress is one of the most common contributors to headaches, and it’s important to remember that stress can be both mental and physical. Physical stress may include muscle tension in your shoulders, head, and neck caused by long hours at a computer, poor posture, or a lack of regular exercise.
Now you’ve identified the types of headaches you are usually affected by, you can begin taking proactive steps to reduce your risk. Getting enough rest and watching your caffeine intake is a good start. Research has also found that spinal adjustments are effective at reducing the frequency and severity of headaches. If you’ve been suffering from headaches, reach out to discover if we can help.
The Link Between Neck Pain and Headaches
Your head hurts. Could it be coming from your neck? You may be surprised to learn that neck pain and headaches are tightly linked together. A headache that starts from an issue in the neck is called a cervicogenic headache. A cervicogenic headache is characterized by a dull pain that radiates from the neck to the back of the head. At times it may spread around the side or front of your head.
Cervicogenic Headaches
Cervicogenic headaches are common if you spend long hours at the computer each day. Neck stiffness and tender muscles around your head and shoulders often come along with cervicogenic headaches because of the position that many of us sit in all day. The added stress and strain on your upper back and neck muscles can add up over time and begin to cause occasional headaches. Without taking proactive steps to address the cause of the issue, you may notice that the headaches become more frequent and intense.
Cervicogenic headaches are common among people who spend long hours at a computer each day. Neck stiffness and tender muscles around the head and shoulders often accompany these headaches because of prolonged sitting and sustained posture. Over time, the added stress and strain on the upper back and neck can contribute to recurring headaches. While posture is one potential factor, recognizing other underlying headache triggers can help you better understand why your symptoms occur and what steps you can take to reduce them. Without addressing the factors contributing to the problem, headaches may become more frequent or more intense over time.
- Cervicogenic headaches can begin due to tightness in the shoulders, a stiff neck, or poor posture
- Over 70% of people with cervicogenic headaches find significant relief with spinal adjustments
- Spinal adjustments can reduce the severity and frequency of headaches
To break the cycle of daily cervicogenic headaches, you need to address the underlying cause. Staying well hydrated (with water!), stretching at least every hour, and setting your workstation up ergonomically are all important to reduce your headache risk. If you still notice that headaches are bugging you, have pain, or limited neck range of motion, call us for a complete evaluation and plan of care to get well and stay well.
How to Get Rid of Daily Headaches
If you notice that your headaches are becoming more frequent and intense, it can be troubling. Daily headaches can make it challenging to have a high quality of life and can affect your work and home life. The good news is that many of the most common types of headaches can be reduced or even eliminated by changing just a few of your daily habits.
Stress and Tensions
Stress and tensions are two of the biggest triggers for tension headaches. Chronic headaches can cause your nervous system to become sensitized. That means each day it takes less “stimulus” to kickstart a headache. Sensitization can become a vicious cycle, especially if your days are filled with repetitive motions. One of the best ways to reset your system and decrease sensitization is through movement. Whether you prefer yoga, stretching, or massage, movement of your spine and body can ease the tensions associated with headaches.
- Dull, aching pain in the head and neck
- Pressure and tightness across the sides, front, and back of your head
- Tenderness in your shoulders, head, and neck
Movement and exercise are key to life and one of the most powerfully simple ways you can break a cascade of daily headaches. If you’re struggling to get moving because of the pain, let us know. We’re happy to work with you to develop a comprehensive plan to help you reduce the frequency and severity of your headaches starting today.
Headache Medications Cause Headaches
One of the primary side effects of many prevalent headache medications is, well…more headaches. That’s right; rebound headaches are caused by taking the same medications used to find relief. If that sounds bizarre, it is. Even taking medications more than just a few days may trigger overuse, or rebound, headaches.
Establish Healthy Habits
Taking care of yourself and creating healthy habits each day can prevent most headaches. If you find yourself reaching for over-the-counter pain medications more than once per week, you may be putting yourself at risk for rebound headaches. Most headache medications aren’t designed to be used frequently because they simply address the symptoms, not the cause of the problem. As you take medication, your body can become sensitized, meaning you need to take more medication to achieve the same result. This can lead to a downward spiral and cycle of chronic rebound headaches.
While medications may provide temporary symptom relief for some people, they don’t always address the factors contributing to recurring headaches. That’s why current healthcare approaches increasingly emphasize identifying the source of your symptoms and incorporating movement-based, conservative care when appropriate. At Sound Corrections Chiropractic, our approach includes nervous system-focused headache care designed to support healthy movement, improve nervous system function, and help you pursue long-term relief based on your individual needs. We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to better understand their headaches and take meaningful steps toward living with fewer interruptions to daily life.
Common questions
Some of the most common headache classifications include tension headaches, migraines, cervicogenic headaches, cluster headaches, and sinus headaches. Each has different characteristics, triggers, and potential contributing factors, making an accurate evaluation important.
While both involve head pain, migraines are complex neurological events that often include symptoms such as nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, visual disturbances, or dizziness. Understanding your specific symptoms can help determine which type of headache you may be experiencing.
If headaches become more frequent, increase in intensity, begin interfering with daily activities, or change significantly from your usual pattern, it’s important to seek an appropriate evaluation to better understand the underlying cause.
For some individuals, dysfunction involving the neck, muscles, joints, or surrounding structures may contribute to certain headache patterns. Because headaches can have many possible causes, a thorough evaluation is important to determine the most appropriate course of care.
Many people include chiropractic care as part of a personalized plan to support healthy movement, nervous system function, and overall wellness. The most appropriate care depends on the type of headache, your health history, and the contributing factors involved.
Find the Right Path Toward Headache Relief
Not all headaches are the same, and understanding the type of headache you're experiencing is an important first step toward finding appropriate care. If headaches are becoming more frequent, more severe, or interfering with your daily life, a personalized evaluation can help identify contributing factors and guide you toward the most appropriate care options.
At Sound Corrections Chiropractic, we take a comprehensive approach to supporting people with recurring headaches by focusing on healthy movement, nervous system function, and individualized care plans.
Ready to take the next step? Get Started with Care and discover a personalized approach to better health.
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