Headaches are an extremely common ailment, and unless the pain is severe, most people don’t seek medical attention. However, there are occasions when head pain is a clear indicator of an underlying problem. Here is a list of 7 times you should seek help for headaches and a drug-free source of relief.

When to See a Medical Professional About a Headache

For an extremely occasional head pain, an over-the-counter pain reliever may be sufficient. However, here are some occasions you will want to go further:

1. You also have neck pain – This could indicate an upper cervical misalignment.
2. You hit your head – This is a pretty sure sign of a concussion, especially if you are also sleepy, dizzy, or vomiting.
3. It wakes you up – If a headache is severe enough to wake you out of deep sleep and you can’t identify anything else that could have been the cause of waking (i.e. needing to use the bathroom), you are experiencing more pain than normal head pain.
4. Pain increases when you lay down – If your head feels better when standing or sitting than lying down, you may be experiencing increased intracranial pressure.
5. Activity makes the headache worse – Especially if the pain is pulsing, this could indicate that your headache is actually a migraine.
6. Headaches happen often – Over-the-counter head pain medicine can cause rebound headaches if taken too frequently. Therefore, don’t try to treat recurring headaches at home by yourself.
7. It comes on fast and is the worst pain you’ve ever had – Unlike migraines or headaches that usually begin gradually, an aneurysm will strike like a bolt of lightning and be the worst pain of your life. That signals the need for immediate assistance.

Head Pain Relief Through Upper Cervical Chiropractic

When headaches become chronic, an upper cervical chiropractor may be able to help. This is relevant especially if you are experiencing a stiff or sore neck before, during, or after a head pain. In a collection of 101 headache and migraine case studies, upper cervical chiropractic was beneficial for nearly every patient, sometimes right from the first adjustment. For more information, schedule a consultation with a practitioner in your area.

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