Headaches are as varied as the people who experience them. In fact, some of the types may be new to you.

While migraines are unfortunately common, there are sinus headaches, cluster headaches, muscle tension headaches, rebound headaches, and thunderclap headaches, just to name a few.

Migraine Headaches

A migraine is a severe headache, typically localized on one size of the head. Many people experience additional side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, or dizziness.

Migraines can be lengthy and very painful and, without proper treatment, can even last up to 72 hours. Some people experience a precursor to a migraine, basically a body warning, though knowing a migraine is imminent is not enough to stop them altogether.

Body chemistry, hormones, stress, lack of sleep, and many other factors contribute to the frequency and intensity of migraines. With chiropractic care, migraines can be minimized and in some cases, completely eliminated.

Cluster Headache

If you’ve ever experienced a quick, intense headache that forms around your eyes and the side of your head, then repeats over a period of time in a pattern, you may have felt a cluster headache.

One of the most painful types of headaches, cluster headaches can attack for months at a time. There are individuals that suffer from chronic cluster headaches, lasting over a year.

While cluster headaches are very rare and not usually life-threatening, see a chiropractic doctor immediately if you feel the type of headache where the attacks occur often and intensify.

Primary Headache

You may not be familiar with the term primary headache, but the basic definition is a headache that is not the cause of a separate medical condition, which means the headache is isolated to simply that.

Primary headaches can be genetic, but typically stem from nerves or blood vessels near the skull reacting to some stimuli. For example, having too much red wine could lead to a primary headache. Skipping a meal or having too little water could also lead to a primary headache.

Primary headaches can be very painful, but do not have any connection to serious disease or illness, which means they can be treated more efficiently. A chiropractor can assess your situation based on the pain you are feeling and present a focused treatment plan that alleviates pain and realigns your spine and neck.

Tension Headache

The most common type of headache, tension headaches feel like something is squeezing your head.

Within the category of tension headaches, there are two types, episodic and chronic. Chronic tension headaches can be brutal, last for hours, and continue throughout weeks or months. Episodic tension headaches are more localized, rarely last more than 30 minutes, and can be eliminated with simple practices and/or medication.

Many patients struggle with the difference between tension headaches and migraines, but the main symptom that distinguishes the two is nausea and vomiting. If you experience those two things, you are probably experiencing a migraine.

Sinus Headache

A sinus headache typically feels like a sinus infection: intense pressure around the eyes, cheeks, and forehead.

Just like tension headaches, sinus headaches are often mistaken for migraines, but a major distinction is in the sensitivity to light. While migraines typically result in light sensitivity and nausea, the same is not true for sinus headaches or sinusitis.

A severe cold or flu can increase the likelihood of a sinus headache, which would mean a stuffy nose and worsening pain when lying down or bending over.

Headache Triggers

Nobody likes having a headache, in fact some of them can be downright debilitating. The good news is that some headaches are triggered by stimuli in the environment and can be avoided all together. Common headache triggers include: 

• Muscle tension 
• Perfume
• Excessive exercise
• Foods (chocolate is a big culprit)
• Caffeine
• Bright lights
• Loud noise
• Poor posture

This list is not exhaustive and it’s recommended to keep a diary of what you eat/do in a day to see if there is a pattern to your headaches. Once you establish a pattern, you may be able to pinpoint your culprit.

Headache Symptoms

The symptoms and signs of a headache are wide ranging. As mentioned above, migraine symptoms may combine nausea or vomiting with intense pain throughout the head, but some headache symptoms include vertigo, a tenderness of the scalp, blurred vision, loss of appetite, or even a fever. 

Severe headaches can be debilitating, affecting your vision, sense of touch, or even sensitivity to hot and cold. While any headache consists of pain around the head, the type of headache you’re experiencing will determine which method of pain relief is right for you.

What Can a Chiropractor Do?

The goal of a chiropractor is to relieve pain in the entire body by focusing on the central area of the spine. Because of this, they are very adept at ridding people of pain from headaches. 

Your chiropractor may perform spinal manipulation to align your body and get rid of any stress on the ligaments or muscles triggering headaches.

Chiropractors can also look at your headache diary and make nutritional suggestions based on what s/he sees. Your chiropractor may also recommend natural supplements for optimal relief.

In addition, a chiropractor can take a look at your x-rays and assess your posture while making recommendations for ergonomic workspaces.