| One of the most common types of pain is a | | | | generally decrease in frequency and intensity as |
| headache. Many people resort to over-the counter | | | | the individual ages. Conservative management |
| medications to relieve their headache, instead of | | | | includes moist heat, trigger point therapy, |
| trying to eliminate the cause of it. Twenty-seven | | | | ultrasound, and spray-and-stretch to reduce |
| percent of patients with headaches seek | | | | muscle tension; cervical and upper thoracic |
| alternative forms of therapy, with the most | | | | chiropractic adjustments to decrease contributing |
| common being chiropractic care. Below is an | | | | joint dysfunction; avoidance of screen glare from |
| overview of the most common forms of | | | | computers and televisions; and stress reduction. |
| non-migraine headaches. (For information on | | | | Hypertensive Headache |
| migraine headaches, please see the article "What | | | | These headaches are pulsing and occur early in |
| is a Migraine Headache?") | | | | the morning. They are associated with high blood |
| Tension Headache | | | | pressure, obesity, stress, lack of exercise, high |
| These headaches are often worse in the | | | | sodium diets, drug sensitivity, kidney disease, and |
| afternoon or early evening. The pain is usually on | | | | heart disease. Hypertensive headaches come on |
| both sides of the head and/or around the eyes. | | | | when blood pressure is 200/120 mm Hg or higher. |
| Tension headaches can last for days or weeks, | | | | The headaches can be at the top of the head, |
| and come and go over a long period of time. | | | | the front of the head, or the back of the head, |
| They are occasionally relieved with | | | | and can be generalized or one-sided. The |
| over-the-counter analgesics. Tender points and | | | | headache may become worse when reclining and |
| tight muscles are usually found in the neck. Deep | | | | is less severe when seated. Management includes |
| massage to the muscles at the back of the head | | | | dietary modifications (high fiber, low salt); |
| and neck helps, as does ultrasound and moist heat | | | | avoidance of caffeine, high fat, sugar, and alcohol; |
| to the same area. Supplement options include | | | | and moderate exercise. |
| valerian root and passionflower for stress | | | | Sinus Headaches |
| reduction, and magnesium and calcium for muscle | | | | These headaches are attributable to inflammation |
| tension. | | | | of the mucosa of the sinuses from allergies or |
| Cervicogenic Headache | | | | bacterial or viral infections. The headache is |
| Cervicogenic headaches often present with a | | | | generally felt over the forehead and cheeks, and |
| reduction in neck motion and associated neck pain. | | | | occasionally around the teeth and behind the ears. |
| They are due to referral from the soft tissues | | | | Sinus headaches are worse in the morning and |
| and joints in the neck. The headache is usually | | | | are aggravated or relieved by head position, which |
| worse with head movement. The primary | | | | may help or hinder nasal drainage. Conservative |
| recommended form of treatment is chiropractic | | | | treatment options include avoiding known |
| manipulation of the neck. | | | | allergens, correcting areas of cervical dysfunction |
| Cluster Headache | | | | that may hinder sinus drainage, and using a |
| These headaches, which are felt around the eyes, | | | | vaporizer or hot compresses on the face to clear |
| are more common in middle-aged males. They | | | | sinus congestion. Anti-inflammatory herbs such as |
| "cluster" over days or weeks and then end, and | | | | turmeric, ginger, and feverfew are of some |
| appear again several weeks or months later. | | | | benefit. |
| Cluster headaches typically begin at the same | | | | References: |
| time each day or night. They are short-lived, | | | | Souza, Thomas A. Differential Diagnosis and |
| lasting an average of 30 minutes, but they are | | | | Management for the Chiropractor: 415-433. |
| extremely intense. During an attack, there is | | | | Gaithersburg, Maryland: Aspen Publishers, 2001. |
| often tearing and a runny nose on the same side | | | | Huff, Lew, and David M. Brady. Instant Access to |
| as the headache. There is usually a history of | | | | Chiropractic Guideline and Protocols: 12-15. Saint |
| smoking and possible alcohol abuse. The cause of | | | | Louis, Missouri: Mosby, Inc., 1999. |
| cluster headaches is unknown. Cluster headaches | | | | |