Why Does Your Head Hurt?

This is such an open question with a bottomless pit of answers. Headaches account for some £250 million worth of NHS funds every year and it is estimated that the economy loses out on £4.4 billion each year as a result.

There are well over 100 types of headaches but some of the most common include:

• Tension-Type headache

• Migraine

• Cluster headache

• Cervicogenic headache

• Sinus related headache

But regardless of the type of headache we suffer from, some simple steps that work for the Tension and Cervicogenic headaches will also provide some relief to the others.

Before I go through the steps you can implement to help your headache, it is important to note symptoms of headaches with a more sinister cause. If you have any of the following symptoms of headache, my advice is to get checked out immediately.

1.     Worst headache ever, that feels like a brick has hit your head.

2.     Changes in face symmetry, visual change or slurring of speech.

3.     Pain that is worse on sitting when you wake in the morning and accompanied with vomiting.

That said, sinister headaches are extremely rare.

So back to headaches from the neck, that we call ‘cervicogenic’ and tension-type headaches.

Two areas to focus on are:

1.     Nutrition

We all have triggers for our headaches, be it chocolate, alcohol, sugar, or caffeine. So, it really goes without saying that you should avoid these!
But moreover is dehydration, dehydration affects the joints and nerves in the neck, not necessarily the brain, and the dehydration in this region will cause the referral of pain into the head.
Be sure to have at least 2 litres of water per day. 

2.     Neck health
Three elements to neck health are 1. Alignment, 2. Flexibility, 3. Strength.
Working on the alignment of your neck is key, this can be done in conjunction with your chiropractor. But at home be sure to focus on and avoid those things that will create poor alignment, notability using mobile phones, computers and anything that causes us to look down for a considerable period.

Flexibility can be improved with regular movement of the neck and this neck stretch shown here. https://youtu.be/lVb30R8e64w

Strength is more complex, please ask your chiropractor at your next visit.

“You can’t medicate your way out of something you behaved your way into.”

A lot of headaches with a tension basis are behaviours and habits through work or play. While the advice here is simple. If done consistently, it is effective.

Let me know how you get on.

With love

Tom