Headaches

Headaches fall into two general categories, tension or migraine. The most common are tension headaches that come from tightness in the shoulders and neck. These headaches can come from prolonged sitting at a desk or poor posture. The tension headache starts from the base of the skull with pain above the eyes or even pain in the eyes. Some patients will have nausea and sensitivity to light leading to a misdiagnosis of a migraine. This type of headache is easily relieved by getting adjusted and by exercising to improve posture and decrease muscle tension. Regular adjustments can reduce dramatically decrease the incidence of tension headaches.

Cluster headaches and migraines are less common and have varying pathological causes. Migraines usually begin in childhood, adolescence or early adulthood. Although much about the cause of migraines isn't understood, genetics and environmental factors seem to both play a role. A man that has never had a migraine in adolescence and then gets one as an adult is a red flag for more serious problems and should bring to his health providder's attention. Women more commonly have migraines, usually first occurring between the ages of 12 to 40 and declining after that.

There are some common ways to tell if you have a tension headache or a migraine:

Tension Headaches:

• constant, dull pain, usually mild to moderate
• not incapacitating
• pain is often accompanied by muscle tightness in the shoulders and neck
• often on both sides of the head
• may last an hour, a week, or anywhere in between
• the pain is often described as a band of pain around the head or "like a vise" 
• Some relief from over the counter medications

Migraine:

• Visual signs prior to headache
• Familial history of migraines
• throbbing, intense pain, generally moderate to severe and often disabling
• usually one-sided, though the pain can move from side to side, and sometimes affects both sides
• pain is often near the eye of the affected side
• may last hours, days, or even weeks
• often accompanied by visual disturbances and/or extreme sensitivity to light, sound, and odors
• No relief with over-the-counter remedies

Some headaches can be a warning of something more serious. If you have any of the following symptoms, consult a doctor immediately.

• An intense, severe headache that comes on quickly, without warning, especially if you are normally headache-free.
• Sudden, severe headache if you suffer from kidney problems, heart disease or high blood pressure.
• A headache following a head injury, especially if the headache includes feelings of nausea, dizziness, or blurred vision.
• A headache accompanied by seizures.
• A headache accompanied by memory loss, confusion, loss of balance, slurred speech or vision, pain in the neck, or numbness in arms or legs.