Headaches

Suffer From Headaches?

Almost everyone is affected by headaches at some point in their lives. Many suffer constant debilitating pain that can, therefore, affect their lives very adversely. There are many different causes of a headache that needs to be investigated. Hence, the correct diagnosis can be made and effective treatment administered.

Many patient’s headaches are due to muscle tension and imbalance of the muscles of the neck back and jaw. Because this is typically for many reasons such as trauma, stress, and posture.  So, there is more than one problem, or “multifactorial” problem in the spine, neck, and jaw.

All these problems must, therefore, be solved together.

“A migraine is a disease, a headache is only a symptom. Migraine pain is caused by vasodilation in the cranial blood vessels (expansion of the blood vessels). Headache pain is caused by vasoconstriction (narrowing of the blood vessels)”.

Migraines

Migraines can be debilitating and life-changing for many patients.

They can come on for no reason and be stimulated by smells, diet or light. Firstly there is a “prodromal phase” (start). This is where sufferers can see flashing lights or have other visual disturbances. There may also be strange smells such as burning wood. As a result, patients typically have to lie down in a darkened room. A migraine may last anything from a few minutes to days.

The tension in the muscles of the neck and jaw can affect the frequency and intensity of migraine headaches. Migraine headaches can also be made worse by an imbalance of the neck upper back and jaw muscles. This can also be made worse by poor posture, stress, and tension. Treatment focuses on releasing the tension in these muscles and then helping them work more effectively. Most importantly, these muscles must balance each other. Treatment also includes breathing exercises and relaxation techniques to help maintain and improve the condition.

Sarah talks about being treated for migraine Headaches after many years suffering.

Tension Headaches

What are they?

This is the most common type of headache. It feels like a constant ache or pressure around the head, especially at the temples or back of the head and neck. While not as severe as migraines, they don’t usually cause nausea or vomiting, and they rarely halt daily activities. So, over-the-counter treatments, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen (Tylenol), are usually sufficient to treat them. Experts believe these may be caused by the contraction of neck and scalp muscles (including in response to stress), and possibly changes in brain chemicals.

How can they be helped?

As with migraine headaches, the tension in the muscles of the neck and jaw can affect their frequency and intensity. They can also be exacerbated by the imbalance of the neck upper back and jaw muscles. This can also be made worse by poor posture, stress, and tension. Treatment, therefore, focuses on releasing the tension in these muscles. So, helping them work more effectively together. So most of all, this also includes breathing exercises and relaxation techniques to help maintain and improve the condition.

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