Oh My Aching Head!

Oh, My Aching Head!

By Kevin Wong, DC

Do you or someone you love struggle with frequent headaches? You can probably hold up both hands and still not have enough fingers to count everyone you know who has some type of headache. We all seem to have that friend or co-worker who struggles with migraines. It could even be you! Did you know that headache disorders are on the list of the top 10 most disabling conditions for human beings? They are very common and interestingly enough, women are affected by headaches more frequently than men.

Headache is defined as pain in the head or upper neck. It is one of the most common locations of pain in the body and has many causes. Typical types of headaches include migraine, tension, and cluster headaches. There are also a variety of less common types of headaches, and we’ll spend a few moments on some of these too.

Tension headaches are the most common type of headache, and yet their causes aren't well understood. A tension headache is generally a diffuse, mild to moderate pain that many people describe as feeling as if there's a tight band around their head[1]. As many as 90 percent of adults have had or will have tension headaches. Tension headaches are more common among women than men[2].

Migraine headaches are the second most common type of headache. An estimated 28 million people in the United States (about 12 percent of the population) will experience migraine headaches at some point in their life. Migraine headaches affect children as well as adults. Before puberty, boys and girls are affected equally by migraine headaches, but after puberty, more women than men are affected. An estimated 6 percent of men and up to 18 percent of women will experience a migraine headache during their lifetime[3].

Cluster headaches are so named because the attacks come in groups. The pain arrives with little, if any, warning, and it has been described as the most severe and intense of any headache type. It generally lasts from 30 to 45 minutes, although it might persist for several hours before it disappears. Unfortunately, it can reoccur later in the day. Most sufferers experience one to four headaches a day during a cluster period[4].

Cluster headaches frequently surface during the morning or late at night; the cluster cycle can last weeks or months and then can disappear for months or years. It is estimated that less than one percent of the population are victims of cluster headaches. More men (about five to one) than women suffer from cluster headaches[5].

There is no doubt that headaches affect quality of life. Some people have occasional headaches that resolve quickly, while others are debilitated. Tension, migraine, and cluster headaches are not life-threatening. Due to the quality and intensity of the pain, people often have trouble concentrating and their work and home life suffer. In many cases, you hear of people having to go to sleep in order to make the headache disappear.

Globally, the percentages of the adult population with an active headache disorder are 46 percent for headache in general, 11 percent for migraine, 42 percent for tension-type headache and 1-3 percent for cluster headache[6].

Headache Treatments

Most people with headaches treat themselves with over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications. The following are the most popular: aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), acetaminophen (Tylenol) and naproxen (Aleve). If these fail, other supportive treatments are available. It is important to remember that OTC medications may have side effects and potential interactions with prescription medications. This can lead to a whole host of problems that come about from using the medications.

In our modern times, people are always looking for other alternatives to drugs for relief from their headaches. So what are your non-medication options? Let’s discuss some of the important ones.

Chiropractic: I have never seen a headache patient who did not have some type of misalignment of the bones of the neck (cervical spine). It is amazing how much muscle spasm and tension misaligned bones can cause a human being. When the bones are out of alignment, the muscles attached to them become stressed, so they become tight. The tight muscles also restrict the flow of information through the nerves and the circulation through the blood vessels. This sets up all sorts of problems, including headaches and neck pain.

Having the chiropractor adjust those spinal bones back into their normal alignment will reset your system. The joints will have better movement, the muscles can begin to relax on their own and the circulation and nervous systems can start to flow again. The spine and the bones of the extremities really do hold a key to feeling good for the long term.

Massage Therapy: A good therapeutic massage by a certified massage therapist can relax muscle tissue, improve circulation, and clear out the toxins that are trying to drain (lymphatic system). It is astonishing how much muscle tension accompanies any type of headache in the body. The muscles of the neck and upper back are among the most powerful in the body. After all, they have to hold up the head which weighs as much as a bowling ball.

When chiropractic and massage work together, patients will respond especially well to care. I suggest to my patients that they should have their massage and chiropractic treatments within 36 hours of each other. This way, the adjustments and the muscle relaxation can be present to work together.

Acupuncture: The use of acupuncture needles and natural herbs are also another powerful method of helping people with headaches. Acupuncture works with the energy, or Chi, of the body, as it flows through all of the organs and parts of the body. When energy becomes trapped or blocked, it can contribute to a whole host of painful conditions or situations in the body, including headaches.

An acupuncturist can expertly insert thin needles into specific spots of your body to release the trapped energy, allow it to flow better and contribute further to relaxing muscle, improving circulation and nervous system flow.

Ergonomics: Examining someone’s daily habits and body positions is extremely important. I have found the number one problem for people with any type of headache is to look at their pillow. Ask your chiropractor for guidance in this area for your specific needs. In general, sleeping on your back is best with a pillow under your neck and head. If you are going to sleep on your side, the pillow needs to be wide enough to span the distance between your shoulders and neck. Custom-made pillows are now available to help give you the proper support you need.

Your computer desk or workstation and telephone setup also need to be examined. Improper keyboard and monitor placement can cause eye strain and make you crane your neck to be able to see. A chair that is not adjusted properly or fit to your body type can cause stress on the entire body, including the neck. All these factors can contribute to headaches.

Exercise: It can enhance your life, but must be done safely. Make sure that the exercises you are performing do not strain any of your neck and upper back muscles. I often recommend my patients who are starting a fitness routine for the first time to consult a personal trainer or physical therapist for at least 3-5 sessions to learn the proper techniques for exercises. For those of you already exercising, consult your chiropractor about the exercises you are doing to make sure they are not stressing your body too much and creating further problems.

Headaches are quite a pervasive problem in modern society. Once the type is identified, there are a variety of treatment avenues one can go down. In the end, taking a natural approach is not only extremely effective, but you can really learn about your body and how you can keep yourself feeling good without medications or drugs.