Head Aches

Headaches / Migraines: Headache or migraines can be the result of pain signals caused by interactions between the brain, blood vessels, and surrounding nerves. Other factors such as diet or toxins in the body can cause chronic headaches or migraines. Headache pain does not come from the brain, it comes from activated nerves surrounding the skull, blood vessels, head and neck muscles. The reasons why these nerves in the head are activated are not yet understood by the medical community. However, activation of specific nerves in the head and neck sends pain signals to the brain that are interpreted as a "headache." Muscle tension and pain in the neck and head constrict blood flow to the brain causing less than optimal conditions for the brain to function.

A migraine headache usually lasts one or more days and can reoccur several times per month. Typical migraine headaches are one-sided, pulsating, moderate or severe pain, worse with activity, and associated with nausea and sensitivity to light and/or noise. Some patients experience an aura (a neurological symptom that gradually develops over 5 to 20 minutes and usually lasts less than 60 minutes) before their headache comes on. Chiropractic has successfully treated patients with migraines and some studies have shown chiropractic treatments to be as successful as medication or as an effective adjunct to medication. If you suffer from migraines call my office today 401-433-3600.

Tension Type Headaches: A tension-type headache is a recurrent headache that can last minutes to days. The pain often is described as pressing or tightening, of mild or moderate intensity, felt on both sides of the head into the neck and does NOT worsen with physical activity. Tension-type headache is usually not associated with nausea or sensitivity to light or noise. Tension headaches can affect your mood, your concentration and ruin your day. Many times, patients will remark that it starts as neck and upper back soreness, tightness or achiness from repetitive activities. These types of headaches are often and easily treated by chiropractic treatments that help to correct the cause of the problem. If this sounds like the type of headache you have been experiencing it may be time to call and have it checked out. You call my office at 401-433-3600

Chronic Daily Headaches: Like the name implies, chronic daily headaches can occur every day or almost daily. Features of the headache could be those of migraine, tension type, cluster or a combination. These types of headaches are much more involved and are require detailed investigations to determine the cause/s. People that go to bed without a headache and wake up with these types of head are loaded with inflammation. People that get headaches around the same time every day are set off by reoccurring events or triggers. Foods or odors are examples of common trigger that when identified and remove resolve the headaches.  If you suffer from these annoying headaches call my office 401-433-3600 for a consultation.

Cluster Headaches: Cluster headaches recur daily or almost daily for a period of usually 4 to 8 weeks. The headache increases in intensity within 10 to 15 minutes and lasts for 30 to 45 minutes. Attacks may occur one or more times per day and frequently awaken the sufferer from sleep. The headache is almost always one sided, and the most common sites of pain are around the eye, temple, and side of the head. Cluster periods typically recur every 1 to 2 years. Rarely is it chronic with no periods of remission. These types of headaches usually have triggers that set them off and go away when the trigger goes away. A common trigger is neck pain that can be resolved by chiropractic treatments. Stress is another trigger that commonly sets off cluster headaches. Some people carry stress in their neck and upper back setting of their cluster headaches. Call for an appointment today at 401-433-3600

Sinus: Sinus headaches are caused by sinus infection or some other irritation inside the sinus cavities of the face and head.

 Rebound: Increased use or overuse of painkillers and other analgesics can lead to dependency, causing headaches when drug levels taper. While medication can be a life saver and a big help, many times it does nothing to correct the cause of the problem. Some medications have nasty side effects that are lead to other health problems. If you are looking for a drug free approach call my office 401-433-3600