Headaches

Headaches do come in different forms, even though the pain may feel the same. Migraines may be the best known, with symptoms like nausea and vomiting or sensitivity to light and noise. Sinus headaches result from inflammation in the mucous membranes and often go hand-in-hand with allergies. Muscle tension in the neck and scalp can result in tension headaches. Cluster headaches occur repeatedly over the course of the day, affect one eye or side of the head and are more common in men.

Migraines are not just a headache but a true neurological condition. Although severe head pain is the best-known symptom, they may also cause neurological symptoms like dizziness, visual changes, numbness, or tingling in the face and extremities. They are also often triggered by specific foods -- like chocolate and wine -- scents, stress, food additives and (especially for women) hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle and menopause.

Many headaches may have a genetic component, as a family history often increases the risk that the patient will have headaches. Women tend to be more headache-prone than men. Sleep disturbances like sleep apnea or insomnia can contribute both to headaches and to stress, which increases the risk of headaches. Chronic daily headaches have also been linked to mental health problems like bipolar disorder, anxiety, and depression.

In some cases, headaches can be caused by alignment problems in the neck; a chiropractic adjustment can be helpful in resolving this problem. Migraine headaches may also respond to chiropractic treatment and decrease in severity or frequency. Any headache in which muscle tension is a factor may be helped by both chiropractic treatment and massage therapy. Chiropractic nutritional counseling may also identify food allergies or intolerance that contributes to headaches, especially migraines.

If you suffer from headaches, contact us and learn how visiting with us can help alieve headaches with Metro Chiropractic. Contact us at 907-276-6325 today to stop headache pain.