Have you ever had one of those debilitating headaches that stop you in your tracks? Nearly 1 in 20 adults suffer from some form of headache every day, so you’re not alone. Throbbing, piercing, sometimes even both — however your headaches show up, they always put a painful damper on your day. But it doesn’t have to be like that! Headaches can be managed with a range of treatments, so you can get back to living life as pain-free as possible.
At Inner Wellness Osteopathy, we understand how headaches can disrupt your life. This blog explores the main types of headaches, what can cause them, and how they can be treated, including the holistic osteopathic approaches we offer. For personalised information or further advice, contact our team today.
4 Common Types of Headaches
Headaches come in many different forms and can cause a variety of symptoms. While most are due to issues like muscle tension, dehydration, stress, or sinus irritation, certain red flags can indicate an underlying issue. If you’re concerned about your headaches, please speak with your GP.Headaches can be episodic (occurring every once in a while, lasting up to several hours) or chronic (occurring frequently and lasting for days at a time). The most common types include:
Tension Headaches: Often referred to as stress headaches, tension headaches can feel like you’re wearing a hat that is too tight. Symptoms include a constant, dull ache around the head, particularly at the temples or back of the head and neck. Commonly caused by stress, anxiety, poor posture, and muscle strain in the neck and shoulders.. Unlike migraines, they are not usually accompanied by nausea or sensitivity to light and sound.
Sinus Headaches: Pain from sinus headaches is typically focused around the front of the head and the face due to the location of the sinuses. Mucus buildup in the sinuses causes pressure, typically resulting in a dull ache. Symptoms include a deep and constant pain in the cheekbones, forehead, or bridge of the nose, along with nasal congestion and runny nose.
Cluster Headaches: Cluster headaches often occur behind or around one eye, forming a headache on one side of the head. This pain is generally more of a piercing feeling and can be accompanied by nasal congestion. Their name comes from the fact that they occur in a series, usually one to four a day, lasting from 15 minutes to 3 hours and often occur at the same time each day.
Migraine: can be triggered by a variety of factors including hormonal changes, certain foods and drinks, stress, sensory stimuli, changes in sleep patterns, and physical exertion. Symptoms often include severe, throbbing pain on one side of the head, sensitivity to light, sound, and sometimes smell, along with nausea and vomiting. Some people also experience visual disturbances known as auras before the onset of a migraine.
Holistic Osteopathic Treatments for Headaches
At Inner Wellness Osteopathy, we offer a holistic approach to treating headaches. Osteopathy, a holistic treatment that has been in existence for nearly 100 years, is a great option for many headache and migraine sufferers. Headaches caused by muscle tension or joint strain typically respond well to osteopathic treatment.
Research has shown that Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) decreases headache intensity and frequency. Our approach includes a full assessment to determine the underlying cause of the headache or migraine. An osteopath will then use manual therapy techniques like soft tissue massage, stretching, myofascial release, gentle facial massage, craniosacral therapy, joint mobilisation and articulation to release tension in muscles around the face, neck and upper back the neck and help improve postureIn addition to osteopathic treatments, we also emphasise lifestyle modifications and preventive measures, such as stress management techniques (deep breathing, meditation), ergonomic advice, and nutritional counselling, to help treat and prevent headaches from occurring.
For those struggling with headaches, Inner Wellness Osteopathy offers comprehensive holistic care tailored to your needs. Contact us today to find out how we can help you achieve relief and improve your quality of life.
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