Headaches and Migraines

Headaches and migraines are two different conditions that share the common symptom of cephalgia or pain in the head region.  Headaches can throb,  ache, clench, stab sharply or burn depending on the type of headache.  Headaches can be  in the forehead, in the ocular (eye) region, in the temples, in the occipital region (back of the head) or migrate into different areas at different times.   Migraines tend to be associated with nausea or vomiting as well as sensitivity to light or sound.

Headaches and Migraines come in many forms:

• Sinus headaches
• Tension headaches
• Traumatic headache
• cluster headaches
• migraines
• ocular migraines
• migraine with aura
• migraine without aura

Headaches can be from hormones, neck and back tension, sinus congestion, stress, poor diet, exposure to toxins, environmental allergies,  food allergies, concussion and other trauma, high blood pressure, eye strain, dehydration, and even side effects of medications.  Things that mimic a headache might be Bells Palsy or  stroke.

Treatment

Because the nervous system and vascular system tends to play a large role with  headaches and migraines it can be effective to get chiropractic adjustments.  Chiropractic adjustments regulate the nervous system and vascular system by balancing the structural alignment of the spine which has an impact on headaches.  Also tension and misalignment from the neck and upper back can trigger tension headaches either because of referred pain or because of compensation.  Consult with your chiropractor about how your body’s alignment might be involved in your condition.

For more information on headache treatment through chiropractic services, contact the office of Dr. Douglass Toth and schedule an appointment today.