Headache is a common term people use to refer to any kind of head pain, but it is an umbrella term. There are many different types of headaches a person may get. They can vary in frequency and severity, and may have different causes and treatments.
Check out the following information on types of headaches to see if any of the conditions sound familiar.
Cervicogenic Headaches
Cervicogenic headaches are usually brought on by neck movement or stiffness. They may begin from the neck, radiating upward, or may be felt on one side of the head. The pain is usually mild to moderate. These types of headaches are common and not something to worry about, though they can be annoying and ruin your day.
Tension Headaches
Tension headaches are another common type of headache that most people will get once in a while. They are caused by stress and cause an aching or possibly throbbing feeling in the back of the head, temples, and/or forehead. Though too much stress is not healthy overall, these types of headaches are also fairly tame and usually not serious.
Migraines
Migraines are not just a headache; they are a neurological condition believed to be caused by inflamed blood vessels. Migraine sufferers may feel attacks coming on days in advance, and the attacks can last from hours to days. The pain is usually moderate to severe and often felt on one side of the head. During a migraine episode, you may experience visual disturbances, light sensitivity, nausea, or vomiting.
Cluster Headaches
Cluster headaches are fairly rare, very severe headaches caused by a neurological condition. They're usually felt behind one eye or on one side of the head.They are brief, usually lasting between 15 minutes and three hours, but the pain is excruciating.
Cluster headaches will reoccur daily, sometimes several times per day, for weeks or months. The patient will go into remission for a few months or perhaps years, and then the cycle starts over again.
Organic Headaches
These are among the rarest type of headaches and are the most concerning. They may be set off by an aneurysm, tumor, or high blood pressure. The pain is usually sudden and sharp and may cause confusion or loss of balance. In some cases, organic headaches can cause a seizure. These types of headaches are a warning of a serious health issue, so sufferers should immediately seek emergency medical care.
How We Treat Headaches
At the Blair Chiropractic Clinic in Lubbock, Texas, Dr. Gordon Elder helps headache patients assess what types of headaches they have so he can help devise a treatment plan.
Dr. Elder is a specialist in the Blair Chiropractic Technique. This technique focuses on the upper cervical spine, a vital area where the brainstem connects to the spinal cord. One job of the upper cervical spine is to protect the Central Nervous System in this area, but if the vertebrae are misaligned it can lead to the compression of nerves or musculoskeletal tensions that cause various types of headaches.
Using the Blair technique, Dr. Elder's first step in treatment is a health assessment. Part of this assessment involves advanced 3D diagnostic imaging tools for a more thorough examination of your unique anatomy. Blair practitioners make the most of state-of-the-art scans to more accurately detect any misalignments for more precise corrections.
The second step in Dr. Elder's treatment is the healing phase. The scans enable the doctor to make adjustments in exact, strategic places using gentle manipulations. Many chiropractic patients prefer this light touch to traditional chiropractic snaps and twists.
Once proper alignment is restored, the body's natural healing processes kick in and begin to restore health. Many headache sufferers say that proper alignment helps to decrease the number of headaches they get, and reduces their severity.
The final step is for regular upper cervical check-ups added to your health care routine. These check-ups will ensure the alignment is holding and allows the doctor to nip problems in the bud.
Don't let headaches interfere with your ability to get through the day more than they have to. Call Dr. Elder to see if upper cervical care is a viable treatment for you. Dr. Elder's area of coverage includes Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, and El Paso in Texas, as well as Hobbs in New Mexico.
Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.