A Comprehensive Guide to Chronic Headache Conditions

Migraine, Migraines, Headache, Headaches, Head Pain, Migraine Headaches, Migraine Relief, Headache Relief, Tension Headache, Tension Headaches, Migraine Headaches, Migraine Headaches Relief

Migraine and headache conditions are some of the most common ailments in the world. It is estimated that 12% of people get migraines at least occasionally and that 46% of people deal with either headaches or migraines in total. That means you are only barely in the minority if you are dealing with a headache condition.

However, headaches can become chronic in nature for some. In other words, the headaches occur more than half of the days in a month. Some people even deal with daily headaches. We’re going to look at 5 types of daily chronic headaches. Then we will discuss a natural therapy that has helped many to find relief even from the worst of headache conditions.

Tension Headaches

Tension headaches are the most common headache type. Symptoms generally include pain on both sides of the head. Some describe it as the feeling of a tight band around the head. As can be discerned from the name of this type of headache, they are often attributed to stress or tension. It is not uncommon for pain in the neck and shoulders to accompany this type of headache. Not getting sufficient rest and poor posture are also common causes of tension headaches.

Migraines

While migraines are a neurological condition rather than a headache type, they make our list of common headache conditions because most people associate migraines with the moderate to severe headache that serve as just one symptom of the condition. Migraines often present with sensory sensitivities, nausea, vomiting, and neck pain. Vertigo and other vestibular symptoms may occasionally occur. About 1 in 4 migraineurs experience aura about 20-30 minutes before the onset of a migraine.

Cluster Headaches

Fortunately, this is a rare headache condition. Cluster headaches are the most painful type of chronic headache condition. They are one-sided and may cause the eye to tear and the nose to get stuffy on the side of the head where the headache is occurring. Cluster headaches get their name because they occur in clusters. Frequent attacks may occur for days, weeks, or even months at a time. Then a long period of remission may follow.

Hemicrania Continua

This is another rare headache condition. It is a one-sided headache that may vary in intensity but does not go away. It is also accompanied by face pain on the same side. While pain may be worse at some times than others, the pain and other symptoms must continue for at least 3 months continuously before hemicrania continua is diagnosed. Some may experience up to 6 months of pain with a few weeks of remission in between attacks.

Rebound Headaches

This is a type of headache that often occurs when someone is dealing with one of the other headache types. It is the result of overuse of the medication that is usually taken for headaches. That’s right – most headache medications actually cause headaches if they are taken more than once or twice a week on a long-term basis. According to the migraine research foundation, rebound headaches may actually be the most common cause of chronic headaches and migraines. This clearly shows the importance of looking for drug-free relief from headaches and migraines as much as possible. Simply switching medications only delays the process since the rebound headaches will eventually occur again with the new medications. This is true of both over-the-counter pain relievers and prescription painkillers.

Finding Natural Relief from Chronic Headache Conditions

If you suffer from chronic or even daily headaches or migraines, we would like to introduce you to upper cervical chiropractic care. This is a gentle form of chiropractic that offers precise adjustments to the part of the spine that can affect headache and migraine conditions the most – the top two bones in the neck.

How do the C1 and C2 relate to headache conditions? Consider the following:

  • Headaches can be caused by pressure on the brainstem or spinal cord. If the C1 or C2 are misaligned, this can affect both because they are located at the part of the body where the brainstem and spinal cord meet.
  • Headache conditions may also be related to blood flow. The cervical vertebrae support proper blood flow to the brain thanks to the vertebral foramen which are loops of bone that provide a pathway for the vertebral arteries. A misalignment in this sensitive area can restrict blood flow to the brain.
  • Upper cervical misalignments can also affect cerebrospinal fluid drainage. When this drainage does not occur properly, it can lead to intracranial pressure. This pressure can cause migraines and other types of headaches.

Upper Cervical Care and Chronic Headaches

Clearly, it is important to relieve the issues caused by upper cervical misalignments since these are at the heart of many headache conditions. It is no wonder that in case studies, correcting an upper cervical misalignment has often led to decreased frequency and severity of migraines and headaches. Many even find complete relief from the first or second adjustment.

If you are suffering from a headache condition, especially if you have a history of head or neck trauma, we encourage you to give upper cervical chiropractic care a try. You may find the source of natural, drug-free relief that you have been searching for. Schedule a no-obligation consultation with a nearby practitioner to get started on your journey to improve overall health and well-being. You may find that the results for you are similar to those in case studies.

Find An Upper Cervical Doctor in Your Areato schedule a consultation today.

Search

Featured Articles

Videos

Montel Williams
Montel Williams

TV show host Montel Williams describes how specific chiropractic care has helped his body.

NBC's The Doctors

The TV show "The Doctors" showcased Upper Cervical Care.

CBS News/Migraine Relief

CBS News highlighted the alleviation of Migraines and Headaches.

The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.

©2015–2023 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.