How to Keep the Lid on a Headache
- Feb 8, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 13, 2024
If you’re one of the 47% of the global population who experiences regular headaches, you’ll know they’re no laughing matter. For some people, they’re just a minor inconvenience, for others they can be utterly debilitating, condemning you to a dark, quiet room for hours, and sometimes even days.
The trouble is that successfully diagnosing a headache gets complicated, because more than 130 distinct disorders have been identified along with over 300 triggers, which makes a headache almost as unique as an individual.
Common Types of Headache
Headaches are a prevalent and diverse condition, with various types and triggers. How to Keep a Cool Head When You Suffer from Headaches. From tension headaches to migraines, each headache type presents its own challenges and symptoms:
Migraines (12%): Migraines result from a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and neurological factors. Triggers such as stress, certain foods, and hormonal changes activate brain pain pathways, often involving serotonin imbalance. Check out the leaflet on migraines here.
Tension headache (75%): Tension headaches, the most common type, stem from muscle tension in the head, neck, and shoulders. Stress, poor posture, and eye strain contribute to muscle tightening, causing a dull, constant ache or pressure. Check out the leaflet on tension headaches here.
Cervicogenic headache (originating from the neck) (18%): These headaches arise from neck abnormalities or dysfunctions, typically caused by poor posture, injuries, or cervical spine degeneration. Pain originates in the neck and radiates to the head, often mimicking other headache types. Check out the leaflet on Cervicogenic headaches here.
Sinus headaches (no data): Sinus headaches occur due to sinus inflammation or congestion, often triggered by allergies, infections, or sinusitis. Blocked sinuses cause pressure and pain around the forehead, cheeks, and eyes, accompanied by nasal symptoms. Treatment involves addressing the underlying sinus condition with decongestants or antibiotics. Check out the leaflet on Sinus headaches here.
Cluster headaches (0.1%): These headaches are renowned as one of the most severe primary headache disorders, often described as the worst imaginable. Despite being relatively uncommon, affecting around 1 in 1000 individuals, they induce intense pain that can lead to suicidal thoughts. Check out the leaflet on Cluster headaches here.
You can also simultaneously suffer one, two or more types of headaches or a migraine at the same time, where one may cause another, or overlap with each other. These are known as mixed or multi-source headaches and can take longer to resolve as your therapist works through treating the different causes. For example, a dysfunctional painful neck can cause an increase in surrounding muscle spasm, which will increase your blood pressure. In this scenario, you could have a cervicogenic (neck) headache, with a tension headache and a resultant migraine!
Discovering the root cause of your headaches can be puzzling so here's an insightful resource to assist you in identifying various headache types and their triggers. This concise chart outlines symptoms and offers self-diagnosis tips for migraines, tension headaches, and sinus headaches. Check out the Self-Diagnosis Chart here.
Understanding Headaches
Additionally, lifestyle factors such as dehydration, stress, and poor posture can exacerbate headache symptoms. This complexity underscores the importance of personalised treatment approaches tailored to individual needs. If you only suffer from the occasional headache, here are some of the common lifestyle factors.
Addressing Lifestyle Factors
In addition to therapeutic interventions, addressing lifestyle factors is crucial for managing headaches effectively. Simple changes such as staying hydrated and managing stress levels can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of headaches. By adopting healthy habits and prioritising self-care, individuals can empower themselves to take control of their headache symptoms.
However, if you suffer from headaches more regularly, there is some good news, because two of the most common headaches, tension-type headaches and cervicogenic headaches (which originate from musculoskeletal issues in and around the neck) can be significantly improved, and even cured by manual therapy, both in the short term, as well as the long term.
Exploring Therapeutic Options
While headaches may seem insurmountable, there are effective therapies available to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. There is a robust body of research, as well as clinical evidence, showing that manual therapy is an extremely effective treatment for certain types of headaches. Manual, hands-on therapy manipulating or mobilising your neck can be hugely beneficial in eliminating your headache; or at least reducing the intensity and duration of the headache.
Trigger Point Therapy: A Closer Look
Soft tissue work, particularly trigger point therapy and massage, can be highly beneficial in addressing the muscular component of headaches. Trigger point therapy focuses on releasing tension in specific areas of the body, particularly in the neck and shoulders, where muscle tension often contributes to headaches. By applying sustained pressure to these trigger points, therapists can alleviate muscle tension and reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches. This targeted approach offers relief not only from headache symptoms but also from associated muscle tension and discomfort.
Incorporating Trigger Point Therapy into Treatment Plans
For individuals experiencing tension-type headaches or cervicogenic headaches, trigger point therapy can be an integral component of a comprehensive treatment plan. By addressing muscular tension and dysfunction, this form of therapy offers a promising pathway to long-term relief. Additionally, trigger point therapy can complement other therapeutic interventions, such as lifestyle modifications and stress management techniques, to enhance overall well-being.
The Therapeutic Impact of Trigger Point Therapy
Beyond immediate pain relief, trigger point therapy offers a range of therapeutic benefits. By releasing tension in the muscles and promoting relaxation, this form of therapy can improve flexibility, increase blood flow, and enhance overall mobility. These effects extend beyond the treatment session, providing lasting relief and improved quality of life for headache sufferers.
Last Word
Headaches may be a common and complex condition, but they are not insurmountable. By addressing the underlying causes of headaches and incorporating lifestyle modifications, individuals can take control of their symptoms and enjoy a life free from the grip of headache pain.
If you're struggling with headaches and looking for personalised care and expert advice and would like to understand more about how soft tissue therapy can help in the treatment and prevention of headaches, don't hesitate to reach out to me here at Muscle Health.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for educational purposes only and should not be taken as professional medical advice. The information provided herein is based on general medical knowledge and does not account for individual circumstances. It is crucial to consult with a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment options tailored to your specific health condition.
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