Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. It is estimated that 80% to 90% of the population suffers from tension headaches. The exact cause of these headaches are still under debate, however a few contributing factors have been identified.

You can experience tension headaches either infrequently episodic( less than 1 headache per month and less than 12 per year), frequently episodic (more than 1 headache per month but less than 15 per year) or chronically (more than 15 headaches per month).

The symptoms of tension headaches are usually felt on both sides of your head. You experience a mild to moderate squeezing type pain around your head. This headache is not aggravated with physical activity like walking or climbing stairs, but you might become sensitive to either light or sounds. Nausea and vomiting is not present. Tension headaches can last anything from half an hour to 7 days.

The causes of tension headaches can include a wide variety of factors such as:

• Cervical joint dysfunction
• Stress
• Lack of sleep or rest
• Musculoskeletal pain and fibromyalgia
• Prior neck injuries
• Poor posture resulting in postural imbalances (especially desk posture)
• Psychological conditions such as anxiety and depression

The management of tension headaches is relatively simple. If the cause is psychological, simple stress reduction techniques, like meditation or breathing exercises, can be incorporated on a daily basis. For diagnosed conditions such as anxiety or depression, prescribed medication will help. If the cause is mechanical, being mindful about your desk posture will also help tremendously to lower the stress on your neck and lower back. Exercise will also help you postural muscles to become stronger. However, this might only help temporarily.

If the cause is linked to cervical joint dysfunction, all the structures surrounding those joints will be affected. This includes the nerves, muscles and ligaments. Chiropractic treatment can help to correct the dysfunction and allow optimum functioning of the cervical joints.

If you or someone you know suffers from tension headaches, give us a call today on 083 288 0679

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Headaches are common occurrences to all of us. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 50% of the population has experienced a symptomatic headache at least once a year. 50% to 75% of the adult population, people between the ages of 18 and 65, experience headaches regularly. We will discuss the Five Types of Headaches in this article.

When talking about headaches, it is important to know the differences between the five different types of headaches:

• 1. Tension headache
  2. Cervicogenic headache
  3. Migraine
  4. Cluster headache
  5. Pathologic headache

Five Types of Headaches Explained – Chiropractor in Centurion

Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. This is the type of headache that comes at the end of a stressful day. It is estimated that 80% to 90% of the population suffers from tension headaches. This headache typically feels like a tight band around your head. Muscles play a big role with these headaches as myofascial trigger points (muscle spasms) and other myofascial pain syndromes may be the cause of the tension headache. Tension headaches can last anything from 30 minutes to 7 days.

Cervicogenic headaches are a type of headache that originates in one or more of the structures of the cervical spine. These structures can include facet joints, nerves, muscles or ligaments. Pain is usually felt in the neck and at the base of the skull, but may radiate to the forehead, temples, orbital region or ears. The pain is usually brought on or aggravated by specific neck movements or sustained postures.

Migraines are usually triggered by a specific factor such as certain smells, medications, foods, hormonal changes or blood glucose levels. This type of headache can be quite debilitating and lasts for several hours. Migraines can occur with or without the presence of an aura (visual or olfactory disturbance that precede the migraine). A throbbing pain is usually felt along with nausea, vomiting or light and sound sensitivity.

Cluster headaches are usually uncommon headaches. You experience frequently recurring and brief episodes of an extremely severe headache. The pain is usually felt in or around one of your eyes with tearing and redness in that eye. You may also experience a blocked nose and well as a drooping eyelid on the side where the headache is present. These headaches can last between 4 to 8 weeks.

Pathologic headaches are headaches occurring from a potentially life threatening cause. These are the headaches that come up first with Dr. Google, however 99.5% of headaches are benign. Pathological headaches can be caused by infections, brain tumors, an arterial cause, strokes, trauma or brain swelling. These headaches are extremely dangerous and if it is suspected by your medical professional, immediate medical attention is required.

Chiropractic can help with almost all of the different headache types and are trained to know when to refer you to another specialist.

Give us a call today to help get relieve from your headache

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The post Five Types of Headaches appeared first on Chiropractor in Centurion | Dr Vicki Ferreira Chiropractor.

A Chiropractor is a Primary Healthcare Practitioner that studied for 6 years at a University and from there had to gain practical experience first in someone else’s practice, before they could be registered and open their own practice. They focus on conservative and non-invasive diagnosis, treatment and prevention of musculoskeletal system disorders without the use of medication. Furthermore, they also focus on the effects that these disorders may or may not have on the function of the nervous system and its resultant effects on your body’s ability to heal itself. Chiropractic treatment is very manual and applied without the use of drugs, thus it’s an all natural and very cost effective treatment option.

So which conditions can a Baby Chiropractor treat? The most common condition is infantile colic. The cause of colic isn’t yet known, but scientists believe that it has much to do with the birthing process. Regardless of the method chosen, your baby experiences trauma during the birth and the neck or back may get misaligned, affecting the baby’s digestive ability which then causes colic. To assist your baby to manage those painful cramps and uneasiness causing constant crying, the treatment ranges from advice on feeding positions, correct ways of carrying your child and developmental exercises, to gentle spinal manipulation and mobilisation. Don’t worry, your Baby Chiropractor won’t go too far with these – babies and children are much more flexible than adults and your Chiropractor in Centurion has been trained extensively on just how far they can go.

Furthermore, Chiropractic treatments are also very effective for chronic ear infections or stiff necks and constipation. It can also help with those unexplained bed wetting episodes, the sleeping difficulties, the multiple growth pains and even headaches.

Rest assured, your baby or child will be thoroughly assessed and examined at your first visit and if the Chiropractor established that he/she isn’t the appropriate practitioner to use, they will refer you accordingly.

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Chiropractors have to study for an undergraduate degree in science and maths subjects before applying for a place at a chiropractic college. Years of hard studying will ensure that the chiropractor is fully trained and ready to treat their patients. The studying is very intense and a lot of techniques are taught. It is important that they know many different chiropractic techniques as each patient requires different techniques and procedures for successful treatment. In addition after finishing their studies, they should continue to study and investigate other techniques that are being developed in the industry.

Chiropractors either practice on their own with a private office or they may work in a clinic with other chiropractors. Working privately allows the chiropractor more freedom to try out different techniques on their patients and they usually get to charge more, which means they make more money. However, due to the need to save on administration bills and building expenses, a lot of chiropractors are coming together to establish clinics. This helps to save on expenses.

Chiropractic has left many people satisfied and happy after the treatment they had received. It has shown to give permanent relief to chronic pain in the back, neck and shoulders as well as headaches. Further research is being conducted to show the long term effects of chiropractic on people that are treated in this way. So far, it has shown to help improve the body’s immune system, help those with type one diabetes and to reduce blood pressure.

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