HEADACHES & MIGRAINES

Approximately 90% of women and 70% of men will experience tension headaches in their lifetime. Cervicogenic headaches are common, painful, and also commonly misdiagnosed as migraines, as they can present with dizziness, nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to light and sound, and increased neck stiffness. You may also find that cervicogenic and tension headaches will present together.

Headaches can wreak havoc on your personal life, professional life and affect your overall well-being. Headaches are also often ignored, and people can feel as though it is just a part of their life, and that there is nothing they can do about it.

Physiotherapy may be beneficial in the treatment and management of your headaches. Below is a list of some types of headaches and some symptoms you may be experiencing. If this sounds like you, you're in luck - we run the Melbourne Headache Clinic out of Whole Health Osteopathy.

CERVICOGENIC HEADACHES

Upper neck tightness
Worse when slouching or at a desk
History of whiplash
Felt on top of the head, back of the skull and/or behind the eye
Dizziness, nausea, vomiting, blurry vision
Can wake up with this headache, or worsened through the day

TENSION HEADACHES

Dull, aching head pain
Teeth clenching
Band of tightness across forehead, sides and back of the head.
Active myofascial trigger points (painful spots) in the neck and shoulders
Aggravated by emotional stress

CLUSTER HEADACHES

Severe pain – burning, stabbing, constant
Felt behind and around the eye – usually one-sided
Tearing up, reddening of the eye, runny nose
Can be brought on suddenly by bright lights, exertion, heat, changes in altitude. Can strike during sleep.
Can be aggravated by hay fever or food allergies
Regular occurrence but long, pain-free periods

ABSTINENCE HEADACHES

Toxic, vascular headaches – due to fever, food or drug withdrawal
Throbbing, pulsating headache, both sides of the head
Difficulty concentrating, depressed mood
Fatigue or drowsiness
Occurs when withdrawing from substances such as caffeine, opioids, oestrogen, nicotine or alcohol