If you suffer from headaches, you are not alone. Nine out of 10 Americans experience headaches.
Headache symptoms present as 'pain in the head or face which can be sharp, dull, throbbing, boring, with or without other features. '
- American Chiropractic Association (ACA)
There are several types of headaches.
The most common include:
Different types of headaches have different causes and symptoms.
The most common include: Tension Headaches
Caused by tight neck and shoulder muscles.
Symptoms: mild to moderate head pressure, irritability, fatigue, and trouble focusing.
Cervicogenic Headaches
Headaches that start in the neck.
Symptoms: pain on one side of the neck that spreads to the back of the head, over the ear, or to the forehead. Pain often worsens with certain neck movements or pressure.
Migraine Headaches
Intense headaches that can come in stages.
Symptoms: nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, vision changes, or aura.
Common triggers: certain foods, alcohol, caffeine, stress, or lack of sleep.
Cluster Headaches
Severe headaches that occur in groups over days or weeks.
Symptoms: sudden, sharp pain on one side of the head, often lasting 30–90 minutes.
Sinus Headaches
Linked to sinus infections.
Symptoms: deep pressure or pain in the cheeks, forehead, or bridge of the nose.
Thunderclap Headaches
A sudden, extremely painful headache that peaks within seconds.
This can signal bleeding in or around the brain and requires immediate medical care.
Altitude Headaches
A sign of altitude sickness, usually above 8,500 feet.
Symptoms: pain on both sides of the head that worsens with exertion or bending forward.
Untreated altitude sickness can be dangerous.
Cervicogenic and Tension headaches are caused by tight muscles in the back of your neck and scalp.
Working at a desk puts you at risk of developing these types of headaches.
When working at a desk for hours, we typically begin to slouch and adopt a forward head posture. This position stresses our neck muscles and causes pain.
What can I do to prevent headaches?
- Stretch every 30-60 minutes if you spend long periods in one position. (at a desk, on your cell phone, working in an unusual place - dentist / dental hygenist, etc.) Set a regular alarm on your cell phone to stretch.
- Mild intensity exercise such as walking can help relieve headache pain.
- Keep yourself hydrated. Drink 6-8 glasses of water per day to avoid dehydration, which can cause headaches.
- Avoid 'triggers'; migraine headaches are often caused by triggers such as certain foods, noises, lights, or behaviors.
