Headaches & Migraines Headaches & Migraines

What we help with

Headaches & Migraines

Headaches that just won’t quit.

You seem to have tried everything, drinking more water, massaging your neck, changing your pillow and desk at work, but you can’t seem to shake the constant dull throb in your head.

You may be at the stage where you are getting over taking pain meds to ward off the constant ache in your temples. Or you may be sick of having to make room in your life for the frequent crippling migraines that put you in a dark room for a day. While head pain can be multifactorial, there are many cases when we can help

Key Facts

  • CHIRO OR PHYSIO

    Chiro

  • AREA OF THE BODY

    Head

  • Pain Type

    Tension, Ache, Sharp

  • Common in

    Females, Poor posture

Understanding Common Headache Types

Headaches are multifactorial, common types include tension-type headaches, cervicogenic (neck) headache and migraine.

  • Tension-type headaches are the most common form of headache. They are typically characterised by a dull, aching pain that feels like a tight band around the head. Typically, no nausea or vomiting and can last 30 minutes to several days.
  • Migraines are a more severe type of headache often characterised by intense, throbbing pain, usually on one side of the head. Many individuals experience an aura (visual disturbances or other sensory changes) before the headache. Often involves sensitivity to light and sound and can have associated nausea or vomiting. Can last from a few hours to 3 days when extreme.
  • Cervicogenic headaches are secondary headaches that originate from issues in the cervical spine (neck) and are often linked to musculoskeletal problems. Pain typically starts in the neck or back of the head and radiates to the forehead, temples, or behind the eyes. These are generally associated with neck stiffness and worsened with certain postures. Often they are one sided. These headaches can be chronic and occur daily when poor posture is present.

Common Symptoms

  • Throbbing or pulsating pain behind your eye/s or around your forehead
  • Sensitivity to light and sound
  • Tension and muscle tightness in your upper traps and suboccipitals (base of skull)
  • Fatigue and difficulty concentrating
  • Aura; cluster of temporary symptoms preceding headache onset
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Our Approach

We will take a thorough history of your case to correctly identify the underlying cause/s of headache, including triggers. We will also complete an in depth physical and neurological exam to assess muscle stiffness, range of motion and neurological testing to determine areas of the spine that have been neuro-structurally compromised.

Commonly in these instances we will also assess posture and x-ray (where indicated) to determine where stress is being overloaded on the spine and assess the extent to which areas of the spine are already degenerated. Using all this data, we will map out and execute a tailored holistic care plan that targets the cause to ensure we have the best chance of eliminating the headaches and preventing future recurrence.

We will focus on specific spinal adjustments/mobilisations, ergonomic advice tailored to your case, specific at-home rehab exercises and utilisation of devices such as the denneroll to improve spinal alignment. If you are sick and tired of dealing with headaches, please book an Initial Consultation and we can get the process started.

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References

Bryans, R., Hawker, G., & McCaffrey, A. (2011). Evidence-based guidelines for the chiropractic treatment of adults with headache. *Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 34*(5), 302-317. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2011.04.004