It may not be well known but 70% of headaches originate from the neck. They are known as cervicogenic headaches. The international headache society separates them into 3 different categories; migraines (with or without aura), tension type and cluster type headaches.

What is a migraine?
Migraines are very common they affect 15% of the population. The incidence of migraines is three times more in women than they are in men. They are debilitating and can affect your ability to work socialise and do even simple day to day tasks. Most sufferers are unaware that there are many natural treatment options which can help avoid a lifetime of prescribed medications and their potential side effects. While medications are effective at dealing with the symptoms other options do more than just mask the pain. Chiropractic is one potential option.

Migraine Without Aura

These headaches are characterised by a unilateral (one sided) location, pulsatile in nature, moderate to severe in intensity. They are typically aggrevated by physical activity and associated with nausea, photophobia (sensitivity to light) and phonophobia (sensitivity to sound). They can last anywhere from 4-72 hours.

Migraines With Aura

Typically these are the same types of headaches as a migraine without aura. They usually differ by giving neurological type symptoms alongside the headache. These can include dizziness, or visual disturbances which can present before or at the onset of the headache. The symptoms can last for days or hours before or after the headache.

Headache or Migraine Triggers

Many things can trigger migraines or headaches. Some of which we have control over such as; chocolate, cheese, nuts, caffeine, alcohol and nitrates (found in cured meats like bacon or salami and in wine). Other triggers are more difficult to control such as your quality of sleep, stress and hormone cycles.