Understanding Different Types of Headaches

Headaches. They’re like that one neighbor who always finds the worst time to show up. But unlike that neighbor, you can actually do something about them. Not all headaches are crea your feet. Let’s dive into the most common culprits, what makes them tick, and hted equal, though—some are mild and annoying, while others can knock you offow you can kick them to the curb (hint: we’re here to help!).

Primary Headaches

These headaches are your body’s way of saying, “Something’s not quite right up top.” No underlying medical condition—just your brain, neck, or stress levels throwing a tantrum.

Tension Headaches

• Symptoms: It feels like your head’s in a vise grip—a dull, pressure-like pain.

• Triggers: Stress, poor posture, staring at your screen like it owes you money.

• Duration: Anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours.

• Treatment Options:

  • Chiropractic Care: A few spinal adjustments can work wonders to untangle the knots in your neck and back.

  • Therapeutic Exercise: Simple neck stretches and shoulder rolls can ease muscle tension.

  • Lifestyle Changes: Manage stress with yoga, mindfulness, or even a walk in nature.

  • Supplementation: Magnesium and B-complex vitamins can help calm your cranky head.

Migraine

• Symptoms: Think pulsating pain that demands your full attention, often with nausea and an aversion to light and sound. Bonus: sometimes you get an aura beforehand.

• Triggers: Hormonal changes, certain foods (looking at you, chocolate and red wine), lack of sleep, and stress.

• Duration: Anywhere from 4 hours to 3 days (yes, days!).

• Treatment Options:

  • Chiropractic Care: Adjustments can reduce joint function, reduce pain, and improve movement.

  • Therapeutic Exercise: Gentle, regular movement can fend off migraines by lowering stress levels.

  • Lifestyle Changes: Learn your triggers and avoid them like the plague.

  • Supplementation: Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), magnesium, and CoQ10 are migraine’s worst enemies.

Secondary Headaches

These headaches are the sidekicks of something bigger—an illness, injury, or condition that’s calling the shots.

Cervicogenic Headache

• Symptoms: Starts in the neck, radiates to your head, and refuses to be ignored.

• Cause: Blame it on a cranky cervical spine or stiff neck muscles.

• Treatment Options:

  • Chiropractic Care: Adjustments targeted at your neck can often stop these headaches in their tracks.

  • Therapeutic Exercise: Strengthening and mobility exercises can improve neck function and ease pain.

  • Lifestyle Changes: Set up your workstation ergonomically and ditch bad posture habits.

  • Supplementation: Anti-inflammatory heroes like omega-3s or turmeric can help.

Occipital Neuralgia

• Symptoms: Sharp, electric-shock pain at the base of your skull that zings up to your scalp.

• Cause: Irritation or damage to the occipital nerves (they’re not fans of bad posture).

• Treatment Options:

  • Chiropractic Care: Gentle adjustments can improve joint function, reduce pain, and enhance movement.

  • Therapeutic Exercise: Stretch out that neck and strengthen its support team.

  • Lifestyle Changes: Sleep better and stress less to improve overall movement and reduce tension.

  • Supplementation: Magnesium can help relax tight muscles and nerves.

Other Headache Types

• Cluster Headaches:

  • Symptoms: Stabbing pain around one eye that comes in waves, often with tearing and nasal congestion.

  • Triggers: Seasonal patterns or lifestyle factors.

  • Treatment: These may need medical care, but stress management and avoiding alcohol during cluster periods can help.

• Hormonal Headaches:

  • Symptoms: Cyclical headaches linked to menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or menopause.

  • Triggers: Hormonal fluctuations.

  • Treatment: Balance hormones with supplements like magnesium and riboflavin, and keep stress at bay.

• Post-Traumatic Headaches:

  • Symptoms: Headaches that show up after a head injury, feeling like tension or migraines.

  • Triggers: Trauma to the head or neck.

  • Treatment: Gentle chiropractic adjustments and rehab exercises can support recovery.

Sometimes, your headache isn’t just a headache. Seek medical care if:

• It’s paired with fever, confusion, weakness, or vision changes.

• It’s a sudden, severe pain (a thunderclap headache).

• It keeps getting worse despite your best efforts.

Ready to take control of your headaches? Schedule an appointment with us today and start your journey toward relief and better health!