Are common but not a ‘normal’ part of life.
Headaches and migraines can be truly debilitating and impact every aspect of our lives from limiting productivity at work and study, can deprive sufferers of essential relaxation, social activities, and precious time with children, family, and friends1.
Migraine and tension headaches are the most common headache disorders. More Australians actually suffer from migraine or tension headaches than diabetes, epilepsy, and asthma combined! This equates to 7 million Australians suffering from tension headaches and 4.9 million who are suffering from migraine1.
Although headaches and migraines are common – they are not a ‘normal’ part of life.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF HEADACHES
Tension-type headaches commonly present as band-like tension around the head, whereas migraine headaches usually result in pain on one side of the head and are commonly accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light and sound2.
Migraines are a chronic and disabling condition that often begins with a dull headache and develops into a constant, throbbing, and pulsating pain at the temples and the front or back of the head. Sufferers can also experience nausea and vomiting and sensitivity to light and noise1.
With cervicogenic headaches, the neck is the source of the problem but the pain is perceived in one or more areas of the head and/or face. The causes of headaches are not always well understood but a family history of headaches, neck stiffness, and stress are common factors2.
Download your Normal Cervical Spince Range of Motion reference sheet here
What can I do?
Luckily there is hope. The research suggests that Chiropractic healthcare can in fact provide effective, drug-free pain relief to headache and migraine sufferers3.
Chiropractors are university-trained healthcare professionals who apply precise and gentle spinal adjustments to correct spinal imbalance to treat headaches and other spinal health conditions while providing lifestyle advice to help prevent headache reoccurrence and treat other spine-related disorders.
Here are some tips on preventing headaches:
1. Get checked and adjusted by your chiropractor. They will be able to advise you on how often will be required for your individual circumstances.
2. Stay hydrated.
3. Consider your pillow. Your chiropractor can check this for you.
4. Look at the ergonomics of your workspace.
5. Eat healthy foods regularly and limit caffeine and sugar consumption as well as trigger foods.
6. Exercise and stretch often.
References:
1. https://www.chiropractors.org.au/wp-content/uploads/SHW-2023-Headache-Factsheet_24-08-23.pdf
2. https://chiropractic.ca/6-ways-chiropractic-care-can-help-manage-headaches/
3. Bryans R, Descarreaux M, Duranleau M, Marcoux H, Potter B, Ruegg R, Shaw L, Watkin R, White E. Evidence-based guidelines for the chiropractic treatment of adults with headache. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2011;34(5):274-89.
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