Understanding Headaches and Migraines
Headaches and migraines are incredibly common, affecting a large portion of the population. While headaches can range from mild discomfort to severe pain, migraines are often more intense, frequently accompanied by nausea, visual disturbances, and heightened sensitivity to light and sound. Various physical and environmental factors may contribute to the onset of these conditions, such as:
- Stress and anxiety
- Fatigue and sleep disturbances
- Exposure to bright lights
- Neck and upper back muscle tension
- Head or neck trauma
- Smoking or alcohol use
- Certain medications
- Eye strain
- Blood sugar imbalances
- Dehydration
- Infections
- Elevated blood pressure
Important: If you experience a severe or sudden headache that lasts more than three days or is accompanied by other symptoms, seek immediate medical advice by calling NHS 111.
Types of Headaches
Headaches are broadly categorised into primary and secondary types. Each has distinct causes and symptoms, and chiropractic care can support several of these conditions:
Primary Headaches
- Tension Headaches: Often result from stress or tight muscles in the neck and shoulders.
- Migraines: Severe, often pulsating pain that may last between 3 hours and 3 days, sometimes accompanied by nausea or visual disturbances.
- Cluster Headaches: Intense pain typically around one eye, occurring in episodes or clusters.
- Trigeminal Neuralgia: Sudden, sharp facial pain often triggered by simple activities like brushing teeth.
- Dehydration Headaches: Caused by insufficient fluid intake, often relieved by proper hydration.
Secondary Headaches
- Cervicogenic Headaches: Originating from dysfunction or stiffness in the neck. Learn more about neck pain here.
- Medication Overuse Headaches: Rebound headaches from excessive use of painkillers.
- Thunderclap Headaches: A sudden, extreme headache that demands emergency medical attention.
- Meningitis Headaches: Accompanied by fever and a stiff neck. Seek urgent care.
- Encephalitis Headaches: Related to inflammation in the brain caused by viral infections.
- Raised Intracranial Pressure: Due to increased fluid pressure within the skull. This requires immediate investigation.
How Our Belper Chiropractors Can Help
At the Belper Chiropractic Health Centre, we take a whole-body approach to headache and migraine relief. Our goal is to help you uncover the root cause of your symptoms and design an effective, personalised treatment plan to help you feel your best. Here’s what we offer:
- Comprehensive Assessments: We begin with a full consultation and spinal screening to determine the potential cause of your headaches or migraines.
- Tailored Care Plans: Each treatment is personalised to address your unique symptoms and lifestyle.
- Spinal Adjustments: Targeted chiropractic adjustments to reduce nerve interference, muscle tension, and spinal misalignment.
- Lifestyle and Postural Advice: We guide you on posture, workplace ergonomics, hydration, and stress management to help prevent future episodes.
Many patients choose chiropractic care for ongoing headache support. Research has shown its effectiveness for conditions like migraines and cervicogenic headaches.
What to Expect During Your Visit
During your first appointment, your chiropractor will discuss your health history, examine your spine and posture, and may recommend further assessment if needed. Our team is always transparent about care options. If we determine that chiropractic care isn’t the right approach for your condition, we’ll refer you to a relevant healthcare provider such as your GP.