What Type of Headache Do You Have?

The Bottom Line

Headaches are experienced a little bit differently by everyone. At our Austin, Texas chiropractic headache clinic, patients may complain of chronic neck stiffness, impaired vision, or feeling exhausted. Often, they find themselves unable to function for the day because of their headaches.

But, while the symptoms may vary, all types of headaches have one thing in common — they are not “normal” to deal with frequently.

If you’ve been doing your best to live with recurring headaches, it’s time to figure out the type or types of headaches you’re dealing with.

Why it Matters

As you probably know all too well, there are many different types of headaches.

Knowing which one you have is the first step toward finding relief and the best way to do that is to consult with a healthcare professional. 

And if you’ve been looking for a chiropractic headache clinic in Austin, Texas, you’ve come to the right place.

Our doors are open and we’re here to help.

Here’s an overview of the most common types of headaches that people from all walks of life experience.

Most Common Types of Headaches 

Migraine

Migraines come in all shapes and sizes. Typically you’ll feel a throbbing on one side of your head.

This type of headache can be excruciating and can last up to 3 days.

You will likely feel nauseous and may be sensitive to light, sound, or smell. 

Here are a few additional key facts about migraine types of headaches:

• These headaches are thought to be related to the release of inflammatory substances in the head.
  
• Migraine-type headaches are twice as common in women because of hormonal influences.
  
• Migraines often tend to pass quicker in children.

Tension Headache

Tension types of headaches are very common and affect up to 20% of the population.

They can also appear when you’re experiencing a migraine.

Tension headaches usually consist of constant dull pain on both sides of the head as a result of tense or contracted neck and scalp muscles, and these types of headaches can last anywhere from a few hours to several days.

Stress, anxiety, and depression are a few common triggers of tension headaches. You could experience these types of headaches as the result of dehydration, loud noises, a lack of sleep, or even not getting enough exercise as well.

While that may seem like a long list with some potentially unavoidable triggers, the good news is that a number of them can be addressed as part of a healthy overall lifestyle. 

Here are a few additional key facts about tension types of headaches:

• Tension-type headaches are the most commonly experienced headache.
  
• This headache is described as pressure or tightness, often like a band around the head.
  
• The pain associated with tension headaches can sometimes spread into or come from the neck. 

Cluster Headache

Unlike migraine headaches, cluster types of headaches are usually experienced more by men than by women.

Those experiencing this type of headache generally feel an intense burning or even a piercing feeling behind or around one of their eyes.

Cluster types of headaches usually come when you least expect them and can last anywhere from approximately 15 minutes to 3 hours. 

Here are a few additional key facts about cluster types of headaches:

• Cluster-type headaches affect fewer than 1 in 1000 adults and affect six men for every woman.
  
• Cluster headaches, while often brief, can occur up to several times a day.
  
• Those experiencing these types of headaches may have tearing and redness in the eye or a blocked nasal passage affected side. 

Next Steps

We all deal with headaches every now and then, so we often don’t perceive them as serious enough to warrant a clinic visit.

In fact, it’s estimated that half of the people who deal with headaches are self-treating.

That may be why many people are not aware that there are effective headache treatment options that are natural, non-invasive, and that don’t involve prescription or over-the-counter pain medications.

That may be why many of the patients we see at our chiropractic headache clinic in Austin, Texas are surprised to learn that overuse of medications intended to relieve their headaches can actually lead to more headaches!

So, if you’re having trouble with migraine, tension, or cluster headaches, give us a call today.

Recent studies have shown that chiropractic care can play a big part in reducing the intensity, severity, and frequency of many common headaches without those risky medications.

Our compassionate team will work with you to identify the root cause of your headaches and we’ll provide the gentle, movement-based care chiropractors are known for to help you break free from your headache pain.

Science Sources:

Tension Headache. MedlinePlus. 2019.

Headache Disorders. WHO. 2016.