headaches (jenna)

      There are over 150 types of headaches, with each having different causes and presenting with different symptoms. The most common headaches include Tension headaches, Migraines, and Cluster headaches (as shown in the photo on the right). 
     
​  Tension headaches tend to be the most common, and are associated with mild to moderate pain. Migraines involve a throbbing or pulsating pain that often presents alongside other symptoms, such as nausea, sensory sensitivity, or stomach pain. Cluster headaches are the most severe of the three, presenting with sharp or burning pain localized around the orbital (eye) area. Cluster headaches are given its name because they often present multiple times over the course of a day or week. 
      Other types of headaches include Chronic Daily headaches, Sinus headaches, Posttraumatic headaches, Exercise headaches, Hemicrania Continua, Hormone headaches, and more. Headaches can also be classified based off if they are acute, chronic (occurs daily), or remittent (continuous headaches that go away for a period of time but return again). 

symptoms

  • Head pain ranging from dull or throbbing, to sharp or burning pain
    • Pain presentation depends on headache type
  • Side symptoms:
    • Nausea/vomiting
    • Stomach pain 
    • Vertigo or dizziness
    • Irritability
    • Trouble concentrating 
    • Memory issues 
    • Tiredness
    • Red, irritated, or teary eyes
    • Sensory sensitivity

causes

  • Causes vary considerably, but common causes include:
    • Illness
    • Stress
    • The environment
    • Genetics
    • Excess screen time

treatment

Treatment depends on the type of headache as well as the severity, but some treatment options include:
  • Medication 
  • Biofeedback therapy 
  • Counselling
  • Ice/heat therapy
  • Rest
  • Stress therapy
  • Massage therapy
  • Physiotherapy

how does physiotherapy help?

*Note that the beneficial effects of physiotherapy will vary based on the type and severity of the headache. Headaches can sometimes manifest due to muscle trigger points, which are referred to as "pain referral areas". For example, the trapezius is a trigger point for temporal headaches or pain at the back of the neck. Physiotherapy can help address these trigger points and relieve any excess tension, as a means to treat the headache. 
  • Intramuscular stimulation (IMS) can promote blood flow, and relieve tension in overused muscles of upper back and neck
    • Promotes relaxation of surrounding muscles to relieve compression of any spinal nerves (reduces nerve impingement)
  • Manual therapy helps to relieve tension in muscles of the upper back and neck, and realigns the joints of the cervical spine and jaw to improve blood flow and reduce pain
  • Ice therapy reduces pain while heat therapy improves blood flow and promotes inflammation, which is helpful in stimulating the body's natural healing processes