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RISING WOMEN EXPERT ADVICE...
What’s causing my headache?
Headaches are a frustrating part of many of our lives. Understanding what
type of headache you are experiencing, and what could be causing it may be
helpful in managing your headache pain.
A cervicogenic headache means the pain originates from the cervical spine,
and the pain stays in the neck and back of the head. The pain is brought on
or made worse by certain neck movements, sustained postures, or repetitive
neck/shoulder movements. Having experienced a prior neck trauma is a
predisposing factor. Chiropractic, massage therapy and postural/ergonomic
evaluation are helpful in managing cervicogenic headaches.
Cluster headaches are described as recurring, short attacks of sudden,
severe, one-sided pain around the eye area over a four to eight week period.
These types of headaches are more common in men, and may be triggered by
stress, bright lights, extreme temperatures, allergies, alcohol, tobacco, or
sexual activity. Massage therapy, Chiropractic treatments, and avoiding
triggers are ways to manage these types of headaches.
Migraine headaches are due to changes in the brain and its surrounding
vasculature. These types of headaches may occur with or without an aura or
prodrome. This is a visual or olfactory symptom that develops before the
headache onset. The type of pain experienced is a pulsing or throbbing on
one side of the frontal, or temporal area of the head. There is usually a
triggering factor involved. Triggers may include stress, rapid hormonal
changes, rapid blood sugar changes, vasoactive foods, allergies, or
medications. Stress management, avoiding triggers, and Chiropractic
treatments are effective in managing migraine headaches.
A tension headache will leave you feeling like your head is in a vise grip,
or that you’ve got a band of pain around your head. These headaches are
described as an even pain. General stress, lack of sleep, muscular stress,
prior neck injuries, postural imbalance, or TMJ are potential causes.
Managing tension headaches includes massage therapy, Chiropractic
treatments, and changing life stressors.
Pathologic headaches are potentially life-threatening. Warning signs are an
abrupt onset, very severe pain, a new headache in an older person, headache
pain from trauma, cognitive changes, seizures, and vomiting without nausea.
Pathologic headaches require immediate medical attention, and should be
referred to an emergency room.
Dr. Janeen Hoffos, specializing in NUCCA Chiropractic, is an expert
with headaches! For advice, contract her at 403.253.6785 or
jhoffos@msn.com
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