Headaches

“I felt that I was listened to and correctly aligned... I have woken for the first day in a long time with no headache [or] lower back pain.” - Miss C

Very often headaches can be helped by chiropractors, physiotherapists or massage therapists, particularly tension-type headaches or migraines. Rarely headaches can be a sign of something serious so all new headaches should be assessed by a professional.

What causes Headaches?

A headache can have many causes. In most cases, if not a migraine it will be some kind of “referred pain” from muscles or joints elsewhere, typically the neck. These are sometimes called “tension-type” headaches. (Referred pain simply means pain that is caused by a different body part to the one which hurts.)

This type of headache can be caused or exacerbated by:

  • Stress

  • Overloading or spasm of muscles or joints

  • Injury such as whiplash

  • Arthritis

What are the symptoms of a Headache?

Tension type headaches can be felt anywhere in the head but most commonly are felt:

  • At the base of the skull

  • Around the ear

  • Around or behind the eye

  • As a “band” that can feel like a tight hat around the head

Sometimes these headaches can be accompanied by dizziness or vertigo as there are many nerves that help with balance in the upper neck. These symptoms are not permanent and do ease when the headache eases.

Can Chiropractors treat headache?

Headaches which are “referred” from the neck can usually be successfully treated by chiropractic, physiotherapy or massage therapy. Our physical therapy combined with home exercise programmes and daily tips and tricks to ease symptoms can help manage or beat headaches for good.

Arthritic hips cannot be cured however can often be managed. Treatment and advice can be given to minimise discomfort and maximise function of an arthritic hip.

Serious causes of headache

In a very small number of cases, headaches can have very serious causes, so any new headache should be assessed by a medical professional, ideally your GP.

If your headache is sudden and very severe, or is accompanied by any of the following:

  • Fever

  • Rash

  • Confusion

  • Double Vision

  • Numbness or weakness

  • Difficulty Speaking

  • A head injury or concussion

  • Seek medical attention immediately.

Most headaches have a benign cause and can be helped with the right care. To book your appointment with one of our professionals, use our online booking form or contact us.