Types of Headaches
They’ll knock you out for a few hours, a day, or more. We take our pain relievers and rest, but they keep coming back. What are they and what can we do about them?
Let’s wander through the different types of headaches, how they present, and why they might arise.
Tension headaches
Probably the most common, they feel like a constant dull ache somewhere on your head (forehead, temples, back of the head). They might emerge due to muscle tension, stress, lifestyle, repetitive movements or posture. Acupuncture consultations and treatments seek to discover the cause of your recurrent headaches and address it.
Migraine headaches
I’m seeing more of migraines in clinic these days – a throbbing on one side of the head, possibly into the eye, and accompanied by nausea or light/noise sensitivity. Some attacks can last up to a few days! They have been found to have certain triggers: hormones, lack of sleep, certain foods/drinks, and more. Acupuncture treatments aim to desensitise any hypersensitive neural pathways and release tight inflamed muscles to prevent migraines.
Cluster headaches
More rare, these severe headaches occur cyclically, with multiple sharp headaches arising across a few weeks or months. Usually you would feel it around one eye, which may become watery and red. Smells, alcohol, and certain medications can trigger cluster headaches. Acupuncture works to understand why your body is sensitive to these triggers, strengthen your resilience, and release the channels and pathways that cause the pain.
Sinus headaches
When your sinuses become inflamed or blocked due to allergies, infections, or congestion, you might get a headache in your forehead, around the eyes, and cheeks. By moving blood and energy through the area, acupuncture can help to clear the allergies, infections, or congestion. Consultations also aim to understand why these things are occurring and to prevent them.
Hormonal headaches
Hormonal fluctuations can trigger headaches. These happen at different times of the cycle, during menopause, and pregnancy. The change in hormones have an effect on vessel dilation/constriction, muscle strength, emotional resilience, sleep, and more. This in turn can cause cyclical headaches.
What’s next?
Speaking to a registered practitioner can help you determine what kind of headache you are experiencing and the most effective approach to relieving your symptoms and preventing their reoccurrence.
Book in now to get on top of your symptoms!
– Michelle
