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.
Why it Matters:
Being aware of the type of headache you have and its triggers is the first step towards finding relief. Stress is a primary cause of all types of headaches. It’s important to remember that stress can be mental or physical. Physical stress can include muscle tension in your shoulders, head, and neck that commonly occurs due to long hours at the computer, unbalanced posture, or a lack of regular exercise.
The three most common types of headaches include tension, sinus, and migraine headaches.
- Tension Headaches: Usually felt across the forehead and last a few hours.
- Sinus Headaches: Typically occurs in the face, lasts a few hours, and is seasonal.
- Migraine Headaches: Pain in the back of the head, temple, or eye that lasts a day or longer and can produce sensitivity to light and sound .
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 decompression is 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.
Why it Matters:
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 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 decompression therapy.
- Spinal decompression therapy 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.
