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The Five Types of Headaches

The Five Types of Headaches

by | Sep 6, 2021 | Headaches, Informational

The pain of a headache can range from mildly irritating to completely unbearable. Consequently, you may rush for the medicine cabinet reaching for a pain reliever, assuming it’s just another migraine. However, you must educate yourself on the five types of headaches to know how to treat them best. Therefore, continue reading for more information.  

Migraine Headache

Firstly, a migraine headache can be described as a throbbing headache, often affecting one side of the head. This type of headache may be accompanied by blurred vision or nausea. 

In addition, migraine headaches are hereditary, with certain traits passed down from your parents. The debilitating pain that accompanies a migraine headache can last a span of hours to days. Furthermore, some people may experience an aura or visual disturbances before a migraine attack begins. 

Cluster Headache

On the other hand, a cluster headache often reoccurs over a series of weeks, usually affecting one side of the head. The pain associated with a cluster headache is notably severe.

The exact cause of cluster headaches is unknown, though genetics, lifestyle choices, and habits play a role.

Sinus Headache

Similarly, sinus headaches often feel like a sinus infection or sinusitis.

You may experience pressure around your forehead, cheeks, and eyes. Additionally, these symptoms could be accompanied by throbbing pain.

This type of headache may also be associated with migraine headaches. The majority of sinus headaches are not caused by sinus infections and do not always require antibiotic treatment. 

Tension Headache

In contrast, a tension headache is the most common type of headache. You may feel mild to moderate pain, often described as a sensation of tightness around your head. 

Tension headaches can be brought on by physical or emotional stress. To prevent tension headaches, try relaxation exercises and meditation. 

Mixed Headache

A mixed headache, also known as transformed migraine, is a mix of tension and migraine headaches. 

In this type of headache, you may experience pain on one or both sides of your head. Sensitivity to light and sound may trigger episodes of nausea or vomiting. 

Chiropractic Treatment Options

Chiropractic care can be a valuable treatment option in relieving headaches. Understanding the types of headaches and what triggers you experience is equally important in regards to prevention. A few potential headache triggers include:

  • Dehydration
  • Caffeine withdraw
  • Hormonal changes
  • Stress
  • Anxiety
  • Food Sensitivity

Chiropractic care is used to treat migraines and headaches with the use of manipulating and realigning the neck and spine, along with manual therapies. At Amazing Life Chiropractic and Wellness, a customized holistic treatment plan will also educate on the importance of proper nutrition and adequate hydration. 

Relief for All Types of Headaches

Amazing Life Chiropractic and Wellness offers a variety of services to help you feel your best.

If you live in the Millcreek, WA area and suffer from headaches, natural and reliable pain relief is a phone call away. Give us a call today for more information or to schedule an appointment. Let us help you, providing education on the types of headaches and how to treat them best.  

Natural Migraine Relief in Mill Creek

Natural Migraine Relief in Mill Creek

by | Oct 21, 2019 | Headaches, Informational

Migraine Relief through Chiropractic Treatment, Stretching Exercises, and Staying Hydrated

Whether you are suffering from an Aura Migraine (which used to be called a “classical” migraine) or a Migraine without Aura (previously referred to as “common” migraine), the bottom line is the same—it’s painful and feels completely debilitating.  Besides the symptoms associated with the event itself, sufferers are often left with feelings of depression, anxiety and sleep disturbances that last long after the pain subsides. In the US today, Migraines impact 1 in 4 households, according to the Migraine Research Foundation.  They affect three times as many women as men and 90% of those affected are unable to function normally during and immediately following the event. Read on to find out more about migraines and how you can get migraine relief!

Symptoms that Affect Migraine Sufferers

Besides debilitating pain, migraine sufferers also may experience nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances, tingling in their arms and legs, extreme sensitivity to light and sound, and may even have affected speech, touch, smell, or taste.  Even with the devastating toll that migraine sufferers experience to their personal and professional lives, only 4% of migraine sufferers search out medical care from a qualified medical pain specialist.

What Causes Migraines?

Experts are not sure what exactly causes migraines but agree that atypical brain activity triggers abnormal blood flow in the brain and surrounding tissues and, once started, can last anywhere from 3 to 72 hours.  There are physical and emotional triggers that many sufferers have identified and try to avoid, including:

  • Potential Triggers
    • Being tired and not getting enough rest
    • Not drinking enough water and staying hydrated
    • Neck and shoulder tightness
    • Overexertion
    • Caffeine withdrawal
    • Changes in hormone levels (as with a woman’s menstrual cycle)
    • Low blood sugar
    • Certain foods, including chocolate, foods containing MSG, meats containing nitrates, dairy, nuts, and fermented or pickled foods
    • Stress
    • Getting overly excited
    • Anxiety

Chiropractic Care as a Migraine Treatment Option

At Amazing Life Chiropractic and Wellness in Mill Creek, WA, we work extensively with migraine patients seeking a natural and non-invasive solution to their pain experience.  Through a customized holistic treatment plan, we work to restore alignment, decrease irritation of the neck and back, and reduce tension by including a combination of the following based on the patient’s needs:

  • Chiropractic manipulation and realignment of the neck and spine
  • Stretching and gentle exercise
  • Promotion of steady hydration and reducing fluctuations in water intake
  • Nutritional and supplemental guidance
  • Massage Referral

Working with a chiropractic pain specialist allows patients to regain function and often fully restore their lives.  However, during our initial evaluation, if it’s determined that you need more extensive medical treatment, we work with outstanding, experienced physicians who would gladly work in tandem with our office to ensure you receive the best possible care.

Contact us today to schedule an evaluation and stop living with debilitating migraine pain.

Chiropractic Headache Relief

Chiropractic Headache Relief

by | Apr 19, 2017 | Advice, Headaches, Informational

Are Constant Headaches a Pain in Your Neck?

Even though lots of people get headaches, it’s not normal to get them often. Dr. Gabrielle Soucy, D.C. of Amazing Life Chiropractic & Wellness in Mill Creek, WA says, “People shouldn’t have headaches more than twice a year and no more than 5 minutes each. When someone is suffering from two to three headaches a week, that adds up to 104-156 headaches per year. What kind of life is that?”

Three Types of Headaches

Almost all headaches fall into three categories: tension headaches, migraine headaches, and trauma-related headaches.

Tension Headache

This is the most common type of headache. Tension headaches may be caused by neck muscle strain, stress, depression, fatigue, poor nutrition, spinal misalignment, improper posture, or the over-use of medications. Tension headache pain is usually mild to moderate in a wide band around the head.

Migraine Headache

Migraines target a smaller amount of people and occur less frequently than tension headaches. Symptoms may include sensitivity to light and sound, vision issues, dizziness, and nausea. Migraine headache pain is usually a sharp, pounding sensation located on one side of the head. Many people find triggers like wines, chocolate, flashing lights, and improper posture can set off a migraine attack.

Trauma-Related Headache

As the name suggests, trauma-related headaches are caused by an injury, usually to the head, neck or back. The fancy name for this is a “cervicogenic” headache. The pain is described as a broad area of tight, throbbing pain, often in a band of pressure over the entire head. These headaches may also include shoulder or neck tension. Car accidents are a common cause of trauma headaches. This injury can develop months or even years after an accident.

Chiropractic to the Rescue

There is hope for your sore cranium! Your friendly neighborhood chiropractor is here to help. Since many headaches stem from a physical cause, it makes sense that a physical treatment is often most effective. Our dedicated team of chiropractors and massage therapists at Amazing Life Chiropractic can relieve both the pain and the source of headaches. Let’s get you scheduled today for an appointment. Now that’s using your head.

Schedule an appointment with Amazing Life Chiropractic to meet our team. With regular adjustments, not only will you experience pains and aches but possibly also fewer common illness.

Chiropractic Adjustments for Overall Health Improvement

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