Osteopathy for Headaches Surrey

This is a type of headache that originates from either the joints or soft tissue of the neck. It is worse when the head and neck are moved or held in a particular way, which differs from person to person.

This can be caused by being stuck in one position for too long, such as at a desk or sleeping awkwardly, after trauma, e.g. fractures, a road traffic accident, heading a football, or a rugby tackle, increased stress, working out or training incorrectly or too much. Those in professions who have bad posture due to a hunching habit, labourers who perform heavy-duty work, stylists who have to slouch for their work often suffer from neck stiffness.

The pain is often felt at the back of the head on one side, and the back and shoulders can be tender to touch. The pain can sometimes radiate from the back of the head or radiate to the shoulder or arm on the affected side. There is also very likely to be restricted movement of the neck and head, and sometimes shoulder movement can be restricted as well.

As we know by now, cervicogenic headaches result from stiffness in the neck, associated with the vertebrae at the top of the spine, also known as cervical vertebrae. 

However, these headaches can also result from certain medical conditions including tumours, infections and upper spine arthritis. 

In several cases, secondary headaches are caused as a reaction to allergies. The focus area of pain induced by allergy headaches is the sinus and the front of the head. This can further lead to discomfort all over the face. 

More often than not, Migraines are misdiagnosed as allergy or sinus headaches. However, when it comes to people who are prone to allergies, these allergy headaches are actually Migraines. 

If the sinus pressure gets built, it needs to be reduced to treat the sinus headache. Doctors usually prescribe over the counter decongestants and nasal sprays to help with the sinus pressure. 

Please note that a sinus headache is a common symptom of sinus infection. In that case, it’s recommended to visit your doctor without delay. 

Caffeine alters the chemistry of the brain. It changes the flow of blood to the brain. Consuming more caffeine than needed can lead to a headache. Similarly, if you’re trying to cut back on your caffeine intake and end up restricting your brain from caffeine entirely, it can lead to a headache. 

This is because, by the time you realise you’re drinking too much caffeine, your brain has already gotten used to it. Cutting off your brain’s usual supply of caffeine can lead to a painful headache. Please note that people who have Migraines are more susceptible to triggering headaches due to their caffeine habits. 

However, it’s essential to remember that not everybody will experience withdrawal symptoms due to coffee. It depends on the intensity of the brain’s dependence on it. Furthermore, if you would like to cut down on caffeine, experts suggest doing so gradually instead of immediately.

Women most prominently experience hormone headaches. This is due to the common fluctuation of hormones. Anything that alters estrogen levels can lead to a hormone headache. This includes the use of birth control pills and pregnancy. 

Another leading cause of hormone headaches in women is menstruation. Some women experience it as a symptom of their pre-menstrual cycle, leading up to their actual menstruation cycle. Headaches that occur during, before, or after the cycle are known as menstrual Migraines. 

At least 60% of women with Migraine as a pre-existing condition experience headaches during their menses cycle. Engaging in activities like yoga, acupuncture, a proper and healthy diet are some things that can help deal with menstrual Migraines. 

Often caused due to high blood pressure, hypertension headaches are the sign of an emergency. These headaches take place when blood pressure is severely elevated. Hypertension headaches express pain on both sides of the head. Please note that you must not exert yourself when you have a hypertension headache because this will worsen the pain. 

These headaches cause throbbing pain in the head. This can be accompanied by serious symptoms like tingling, numbness, blurred vision, bleeding nose, pain in the chest, and difficulty catching your breath. 

If you have high blood pressure and are suffering from a hypertension headache, you should call for medical assistance right away. 

Rebound headaches feel a lot like tension headaches and Migraines. They are either characterised by dull, throbbing pain or a burning and piercing pain. Rebound headaches are also known as medication overuse headaches. 

People who habitually take over the counter painkillers are highly sensitive to rebound headaches. They are common occurrences with the overuse of medications like Paracetamol ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen, especially when they are taken for more than 15 days during the span of the month. 

If you’re experiencing rebound headaches from pain medication, then you should slowly come off these medicines. When taken frequently, they can cause a headache instead of relieving it. 

Exertion headaches are caused by intense physical activities that go on for longer than your body can tolerate. These activities can include high-impact sports, weight training, and running. Exertion headaches result from an increased flow of blood to the brain caused by these physical exercises. 

They are usually experienced on both sides of the head. The throbbing pain caused by exertion headaches can last anywhere from a couple of minutes to a few hours.