LIFE CAN BE A HEADACHE

Headaches are an unfortunate part of daily lives, whether it’s your little ones constant nagging, or that lady who always wants to speak to the manager, there are plenty different types and causes of headaches. Some headaches only happen occasionally, some happen frequently, some are dull & throbbing and others are sharp & intense, which makes it difficult to evaluate correctly. What we do know though is that headaches rank in the top 10 most disabling conditions for males and in the top five for females (let’s be real, probably because of men).

The World Health Organisation, states that headache disorders are universal, prevalent and disabling yet they are under-recognised, under-diagnosed and under-treated worldwide. There are two main types of headaches:

Primary headaches, which are the safer of the two, are not caused by an underlying disease. These are the frequent migraines or tension headaches. These are the types of headaches people suffer from the most.

Secondary headaches, more commonly known as “sinister headaches”, are caused by an underlying disease such as infection, trauma, vascular disease or cancers. These are the more serious headaches but are the less common of the two. That is why it is always important to see a healthcare provider if you are suffering from headaches, so these can all be ruled out.

COMMON TRIGGERS

Headaches have many causes or triggers. Some common triggers include certain foods (spicy) environmental factors (noises, lights, and stress), blood sugar levels, high blood pressure, sleep habits (insomnia), caffeine (Yes even the delicious double chocolate frappuccino), neck tension, or spinal misalignment.

Headaches that are caused by neck tension are some of the most common and are triggered by poor posture (sitting, standing and sleeping). Now days we engage in more desk-bound activities than in the past, and more hours are spent in one fixed position or posture (Using the computer or looking at our phones) This can increase joint irritation and muscle tension in the neck and upper back, causing your head to ache. (Have a look at our Blog Post about Tech Neck)

HEADACHE PREVENTION TIPS

Most headaches are preventable.

As mentioned before, being in one position for long periods can be detrimental, so try changing positions every 30 minutes or so, no matter what you are doing (maybe go for a quick walk around the office). If you must remain in a fixed position, gently stretch your neck every 30 minutes to avoid bringing on a tension headache. Drinking water throughout the day also helps as dehydration is a well-known headache trigger.

CHIROPRACTIC CARE

Research has shown that spinal manipulation (the primary treatments provided Chiropractors) may be an effective treatment option for tension headaches and headaches that originate in the neck. A 2014 report in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that chiropractic care improved the outcome for the treatment of acute & chronic neck pain and increased benefit was shown.

So, are you still struggling with that pounding head?

Is work making you feel like your brain is going to explode?