|
 Migraines and Tension Headaches
Headaches and especially Migraines can have a devastating effect on the person suffering from it. Those of you, who suffer from it, will know what I am talking about. What many of you might not know is that many headaches can be helped by simply aligning the spinal column and making a few other small changes. Headaches can be classified into many different categories, but the two most common ones are Migraine headaches and Tension headaches. Migraine headaches are distinctively different from other forms of headaches, thus I will highlight the main differences.
What Is A Migraine Headache?
A migraine is a very severe and debilitating kind of headache that can last several hours or even days. People often describe it as a pulsating or throbbing pain that starts out on one side of the head and often switches sides. Some people become very sensitive to light and sound, while others experience nausea and vomiting. Migraine sufferers sometimes report visual changes such as, blurry vision, seeing flashing lights or zigzag lines, as well as temporary vision loss. Migraines often occur without any prior warning signs. Some people suffer from such bad migraines, that they will bang their head against the wall trying to stop them. Over the counter drugs are generally not very effective.
What Is A Tension Headache?
This is the most common type of headache. It is often felt as a constant squeezing kind of pain, which is usually felt on both sides of the head. Tension headaches are generally not as severe as migraine headaches, but they can occur more frequently. Many people report that tension headaches get worse as the day progresses and stress is often a contributing factor.
Headaches can be triggered by a multitude of factors. Generally speaking, headaches tend to get worse with work related stress and pressure, certain types of foods and postural problems. Emotional and psychological components can be a significant contributing factor as well. Many people suffering from headaches also experience slight anxiety and depression.
Lack Of Spinal Motion Often Contributes To Headaches
Another possible reason for headaches is decreased spinal mobility. In private practice, I often observe a significant lack of mobility in the upper cervical spine. This is the part of the neck that is closest to the skull. Let us take a closer look at the anatomy of the spine and its relationship to headaches.
As you can see from the diagrams, the nervous system controls every function of our body. An impulse starts out from the brain and then travels down the spinal canal. From there the nerve roots exit the spinal column and supply the rest of the body with all the necessary information. Any compression or irritation of the nerve roots along the way can interfere with proper function.
If you take a closer look at the diagram, you will notice that the nerve roots exiting the upper neck, travel up the back of the head and also supply the face, eyes, ears, nose and throat. That can easily explain why so many headache patients also suffer from eye pain, among other things.
So The Question Is, What Mechanism Causes Nerve Roots To Get Irritated Or Compressed?
There are many different causes for nerve root irritations, but it all boils down to one thing. If the space where the nerve roots exits the spinal canal becomes smaller, the nerve roots will feel the impact. If the condition persists, people will also report signs of tingling, weakness or numbness. Symptoms will vary, depending on the degree and location of the compression. Common conditions that can cause nerve root irritations are:
- Restricted mobility of the spine
- Loss of normal curvature and straightening of the spine
- Postural problems
- Long hours spent in front of a computer
- Disk prolapse or herniations
- Whiplash injuries
- Arthritis
This illustrates how disk material (light blue substance) can cause nerve root compression.
What Other Treatment Options Are Available, Besides Taking Pain Killers?
Whenever someone suffers from headaches it is important to discover the underlying issue. Some people have muscular imbalances; others have spinal restrictions and for some the pressure at work is just getting too much to handle and their body simply cannot cope with it. Often it is a combination of many different factors that need to be addressed simultaneously.
As Doctors of Chiropractic we try to provide a holistic approach whenever possible. We examine all the contributing factors and determine an individualistic treatment protocol for that person. Since no two people are the same, treatments cannot be generalized.
I will just leave you with this comment, a patient of mine said:” I wish I would have known earlier, that there is something that can help me! “ She suffered from Migraines for 20 years and this is why I wrote this article today.
Paramount Chiropractic Group is a full service chiropractic business. For immediate questions please contact the author at Dr.IngeAustin@ParamountChiro.com to better understand service options and costs.
|
