Headaches

Headaches are one of the most common health complaints, affecting nearly half of the global adult population each year, according to the World Health Organization. While most headaches are not life-threatening, they can be incredibly disruptive, reducing quality of life, interfering with work, and affecting mood, concentration, and energy levels. Understanding the types of headaches, their underlying mechanisms, and how the body contributes to them is essential for choosing the right path to relief, whether through self-care, medical management, or conservative therapies like chiropractic care.

Types of Headaches

Headaches are broadly categorized as either primary or secondary. Primary headaches occur independently and are not caused by another medical condition. The most common primary types are tension-type headaches, migraines, and cluster headaches.

Tension-type headaches are the most frequently experienced. They are typically described as a dull, pressing, or tightening sensation around the forehead, temples, or back of the head. They may be caused by muscular tension, mental stress, or prolonged screen time and postural strain. Research shows that myofascial trigger points in the neck and shoulder muscles contribute to this type of headache (Fernández-de-Las-Peñas et al., 2007).

Migraines, on the other hand, are neurological in nature and often more severe. These headaches are usually one-sided and pulsating, often accompanied by nausea, light sensitivity, and, in some cases, visual disturbances known as auras. The underlying mechanism involves abnormal brain activity affecting blood flow and the trigeminovascular system (Goadsby et al. 2017). Migraines may be triggered by stress, hormonal fluctuations, diet, or changes in sleep patterns.

Cluster headaches are far less common but extremely painful. They typically involve intense, stabbing pain around one eye and may occur in cycles or "clusters" lasting weeks or months. Associated symptoms include eye redness, tearing, nasal congestion, and restlessness. The hypothalamus appears to play a central role in triggering these episodes.

Secondary headaches result from an underlying condition and include cervicogenic headaches, sinus-related headaches, or those caused by infections, trauma, or vascular issues. Cervicogenic (neck) headaches originate from dysfunction in the cervical spine and are often one-sided, beginning in the neck and radiating toward the forehead, temple, or around the eyes. These headaches frequently coincide with limited neck mobility and tenderness in the upper cervical muscles and joints.

What Triggers Headaches?

Headaches are often multifactorial. Common contributing factors include emotional stress, dehydration, sleep disturbances, poor posture, prolonged screen time, dietary triggers (such as caffeine or alcohol), and environmental changes like bright lights or strong odors. Hormonal fluctuations can also play a significant role, particularly in migraines. Understanding these triggers is essential for long-term management, and keeping a headache diary is often a helpful tool in identifying patterns.

Postural imbalances are especially significant in today’s digital world. Many people spend hours hunched over computers, tablets, and phones, leading to forward head posture and tension in the upper back and neck. Over time, this can irritate cervical structures and contribute to chronic tension or cervicogenic headaches.

When to Seek Medical Evaluation

While most headaches are benign, certain red flags indicate the need for urgent medical attention. A sudden, severe headache described as “the worst ever,” headaches following trauma, those accompanied by fever or neurological symptoms, or a new pattern of headaches in people over 50 should prompt further evaluation to rule out serious conditions such as meningitis, hemorrhage, or tumors.

Treatments and Therapies:

Chiropractic care is a low cost, non-invasive headache treatment, particularly for those suffering from cervicogenic and tension-type headaches. Chiropractors assess the spine for joint restrictions and muscular imbalances that may contribute to head and neck pain. Spinal manipulation, or chiropractic adjustment, has been shown to be effective in reducing both the intensity and frequency of headaches in some patients.

A study published in Spine found that spinal adjustments provided greater relief for tension-type headaches than amitriptyline, a commonly prescribed medication (Bronfort et al., 2001). Other research in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that spinal manipulation reduced the frequency of migraines in treated individuals (Nelson et al., 1998). Chiropractic care often includes soft tissue work, postural re-education, ergonomic advice, and therapeutic exercises to address the root causes of recurrent headaches.

Headaches are complex conditions with a wide variety of causes, from simple muscle tension to more serious neurological issues. Over the counter medication can provide temporary relief but can be damaging over time and lead to what is known as rebound headaches. Certain types of headaches may need to be managed with prescription medication. However for individuals with headaches related to neck dysfunction, muscular tension, and some types of migraines, or for individuals that do not like or are trying to avoid medication chiropractic care offers a safe, low risk, and effective path toward lasting relief.

If you are dealing with persistent headaches, book a consultation and exam at Modern Care Chiropractic today to discuss your treatment options.