Headaches are a common cause of pain and discomfort and majority of people will have headaches at some time in their lives. The symptoms of headache include dull, aching head pain, sensation of tightness or pressure across your forehead or on the sides and back of your head etc. There are numerous classifications for headaches and can be divided into two big categories; primary and secondary headache. A primary headache has no underlying pathology, they are usually recurrent and non-progressive. A secondary headache has an underlying pathology and often progressive and constant.
It is within a chiropractor’s scope to treat primary headaches. These type of headaches include: Tension Type, Migraine, Cluster and Cervicogenic.
The most common type of headaches is tension type headache. Tension Type Headaches tend to occur in those 20-40 years of age, with females being slightly more predisposed. The signs and symptoms of this headache are bilateral pressure on frontal occipital, hatband/constricting pain and usually non-throbbing. It is not aggravated by physical activity, and does not have associated of nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to noise and light. Tension type headaches can last from 30 minutes up to 7 days.
Migraine is the second most common type of headache. Migraines are usually triggered by food (caffeine, MSG and medication), hormonal changes, sleep deprivation and trauma, grief and loss. Triggers are anything that contribute to a migraine attack, they are not the cause however increase the risk of a migraine attack occurring. Female is three times more likely to experience a migraine than male. The signs and symptoms of migraine headache include mood changes, food cravings and excessive thirst.
Cluster headache is other type of headache that is usually experienced by mostly men. The pathophysiology is not fully understood. However, family history plays a role here. For those who smoke and drink heavily are found more likely to have a cluster headache too. It is short repeated one sided excruciating pain that last seconds to minutes.
Cervicogenic headaches are thought to arise from musculoskeletal impairments in the neck, therefore it can be provoked by digital pressure on neck muscles and by head movement. This type of headache is only moderate in pain intensity, only one-sided, non-throbbing and usually located at the back of the head. Approximately 25% of population are affected by this type of headache, with the most common being females. There are many causes for cervicogenic headache such as previous head and neck trauma, inadequate pillow, occupation comprising desk work and psychological stress.
If you are experiencing a headache and these presentations seem very familiar, feel free to visit our chiropractors here at Lakeside Chiropractic Clinic. Headaches are one of the most common complaint we see day in day out, so stop putting yourself in pain and suffer when there is possibility to treat the cause. Here at Lakeside Chiropractic we have a variety of treatment modalities including- spinal manipulative therapy, activator adjustments, soft tissue therapy, mobilisations, cold laser therapy, interferential, dry needling, strapping (kinesiotaping), rehabilitative exercises and stretches, advice on retraining posture and pillows that will facilitate in your treatment.
Lakeside Chiropractic is located in Joondalup, local to the northern suburbs of Perth. Surrounding suburbs include Banksia Grove, Carramar, Kinross, Clarkson, Woodvale, Kingsley, Whitfords, Mullaloo, Burns Beach, Padbury, Sorrento and Wangara. Please come and see our friendly chiropractors to help you on your road to recovery. We accept all major health care insurances and provide HICAPS for AHM, Medibank, HBF, HIF, SGIO and many more.
You can contact us on 9300 0095, or visit our website www.lakesidechiro.com.au to make an enquiry or booking
