Headaches: take charge and manage your pain!
You have a headache?
You certainly are not alone!
59% of Canadians report suffering from some form of headache.1 Headaches can be debilitating, but most often feel like unpleasant discomfort, pain or pressure that can be addressed by manual therapies, relaxation and rest, hydration and even short-term use of pain medication.
In 2010, an estimated 2.7 million Canadians reported experiencing a migraine headache2. Research indicates that the number of migraine sufferers is likely under-estimated since not everyone seeks care from a healthcare professional and are likely undiagnosed.
If you are concerned and looking for relief, seek help from a qualified healthcare professional. At Naturopathic Living, our chiropractor, acupuncturist, and naturopath team up to give you a holistic care with the aim of long-term relief.
What causes headaches?
The causes of migraines and other types of headaches are vast and often difficult to pin-point. Some common physical issues include joint dysfunction, muscle tightness and poor posture. The changing barometric pressure that accompanies an abrupt shift in the weather is also thought to be a trigger.
But… it goes deeper than that. Anxiety, food intolerances, poor sleep and even general inflammation can cause your head to pound and you to feel unwell. Traditional Chinese Medicine a looks at symptoms such as aversion to cold or wind, emotional depression, irritability, forgetfulness, palpitations, cloudiness, heaviness, nausea or vomiting, symptoms that along with headaches can point to care and show us how to rebalance.
Our Approach
Your chiropractor, acupuncturist, Naturopath or other healthcare provider will perform a comprehensive examination to determine the possible causes or triggers for your headaches, and if we deem beneficial will cross refer to give you the care possible.
Take charge and talk to us about your pain and headache today.
Here are 3 types of headaches to consider:
Tension Headaches
The most common type of headache are characterized as diffuse, dull, aching pain typically described as tightness around the head. Not surprisingly, the most common trigger for tension headaches is stress. Conservative care, like chiropractic, along with stress reduction, applying a cold or hot pack and improving your posture can also help ease symptoms and prevent recurrence.
Cervicogenic Headache
A cervicogenic headache is classified as a secondary headache because the pain is referred from structures of the neck. Since the origin is usually related to the cervical spine, managing pain can include manual therapy and recommended at-home exercise to address postural issues and dysfunction at the level of the neck.
Migraine Headache3
Migraine headaches can present differently from person to person. Symptoms may include disturbed vision, nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light, and are often accompanied by sensory warning symptoms (aura). Sufferers may need to lie down in a darkened room until the symptoms ease. The causes of migraine headaches are not yet known, but there are a number of triggers that are associated with migraines including stress, sleep deprivation, changes in the environment and certain foods. A migraine can last hours or even days.
References:
1. https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/publications/tp13312-2-neurology-headaches-2159.htm
2. Pamela Ramage-Morin and Heather Gilmour, “Prevalence of Migraine in the Canadian Household Population,” Statistics Canada, Health Reports, Volume 25, no. 6. June 2014.
3. https://www.migrainetrust.org/factsheet-migraine-what-is-it-10504
4. CCA Staff Team Date: Jun 24, 2015