- American Chiropractic Association (ACA)
Tension Headaches are typically caused by tight muscles in the back of the neck. Symptoms include: mild to moderate pain or pressure in the front, sides and top of your head, irritability, fatigue and trouble focusing.
Migraine Headaches are strong headaches that often present in stages and have symptoms including: nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, aura or changes in vision. Mirgraines are often triggered by certain foods, alcohol, caffiene, stress or other situations.
Cluster Headaches are identified by their regular occurance over a cluster of days, weeks or months. These headaches typically come on fast, present with pain on one side of your head and typically last 30-90 minutes.
Sinus Headaches result from the build-up of that often occurs with a sinus infection. Symptoms present as a deep pain in your cheekbones, forehead or on the top of your nose.
Thunderclap Headaches are sudden, intense headaches which result from bleeding in or around your brain and require immediate medical attention. Symptoms seem present suddenly like a clap of thunder and are often described as "the worst headache of my life."
Altitude Headaches are symptoms of another condition, altitude sickness. This condition occurs when you arrive at a higher altitude location, typically 8,500 feet above sea level. Symptoms often present on both sides of your head, and get worse as you go higher in elevation, exert yourself or bend forward, increasing your blood pressure. Altitude sickness, if not cared for can cause significant health issues and can even be life threatening. If you are travelling to a higher elevation, please click this link to learn more about altitude sickness and how to prevent it.
Cervicogenic Headaches are headaches that originate in the back of the head or neck. (cervico = "neck", genic = "caused by") Symptoms include pain on one side of the neck that spreads to the back of the head and even over the earand to the forhead. Pain may increase with certain neck movements or applied pressure to the neck.
When working at a desk for hours on end, we typically begin to slouch and adopt a forward head posture. This position stresses our neck muscles and causes pain.
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Stretch every 30-60 minutes if you spend long periods of time in one position. (at a desk, on your cell phone, working in an unusual position - dentist / dental hygenist, etc.) Set a regular alarm on your cell phone to stretch.
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Mild intensity exercise such as walking, can help releive headache pain.
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Keep yourself hydrated. Drink 6-8 glasses of water per day to avoid dehydration, which can cause headaches.
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Avoid 'triggers', migraine headaches are often caused by triggers such as certain foods, noises, lights or behaviors.
During this 15-minute virtual video call Dr. Greg Freitag, with the help of your web or mobile camera, will examine and evaluate your workplace office or positining and help you implement strategies to optimize your body position while you work.
He will also prescribe specific stretches and exercises to train your body to maintain a more supportive posture.
Patients with most headaches can benefit from chiropractic care, however research shows that chiropractic is most effective at treating patients with Tension Headaches or Cervicogenic Headaches.