Headaches, whether acute or chronic, vary as to cause, degree of intensity and position within the head and neck. While a recent study has shown that 17.6 percent of women and 5.7 percent of men in the U.S. suffer from migraines, a staggering 95 percent of women and 90 percent of men report having at least one headache in any given year. Having such an effect upon the majority of the population, one might find it beneficial to explore the different causes, types and treatments available to help alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with headaches.

The different types include:

1.  Tension Headaches which consist of a dull persistent pain affecting both sides of the head, shoulders and neck. This can also be accompanied by a pressure in or around the forehead. The causes stem from poor posture while sitting for long periods of time, emotional or physical fatigue, dehydration as well as other environmental factors which may include loud noises or even toxins in the air which put additional stress on the body.

2.  Migraine Headaches, which have many presentations, are typically felt on one side of the head and consist of severe throbbing while also accompanied by nausea and a sensitivity to light. These tend to affect women more than men. Some dietary factors such as foods containing MSG, wine and other alcohols, caffeinated beverages, chocolates, nuts, soy sauce and other foods high in additives or sodium nitrates can be attributing factors.

3.  Cluster Headaches which occur usually around one eye and yield severe pain and congestion. These headaches can come from excessive smoking or alcohol abuse. They usually start and abate rapidly, with little warning.

4.  Sinus Headaches stem from inflammation or even infections of the sinus cavities. The inflammation or infection may block the opening of the nasal passages and cause pressure to build under/behind the eyes. These headaches are caused by allergies, colds or the flu.

5.  TMJD (temperomandibular joint dysfunction), or problems with the jaw joint, can also be a cause of headaches. Excessive tension in the jaw results from direct injuries to the jaw joint, or physical strain of the neck muscles which can occur when one is working long hours at a computer or reading for long periods of time. This is accompanied by eye strain and a variety of tensions felt especially in the neck, shoulders and upper back.

It is recommended that in addition to a healthy diet, adequate water intake, regular exercise and sufficient rest, one should take short breaks from stressful activities and tasks to prevent excessive tension from building up in the muscles. Dental usages of night splints may be needed to reduce the effects of TMJD and subsequent headaches.

A person's posture regarding the head, neck and upper back is a critical element in reducing the frequency and intensity of headaches. There are several muscles which could be affected by poor posture and prolonged strain. A physical therapist is trained to assess the dysfunction of the joints, nerves and muscles and from that assessment, create a program which utilizes techniques that mobilize the joints, loosen the affected muscles and thereby relieve the pressure and reduce unnecessary strain.

The areas to assess in terms of headache relief include posture of the head, neck, shoulders, upper back, feet (as flat feet can affect posture and muscle tension), jaw and neck joints along with any areas that may be causing pinched nerves. Your physical therapist can use this information to identify the areas most affected and so develop the correct approach to handle your problem. Thus, one need not suffer but instead can find relief, overcome and even prevent future difficulties with headaches.

Despite there being many different types and causes of headaches, there are many different treatment methods which can be administered in order to effectively reduce the problem or even eradicate it. This puts you back in control of your health and can help you achieve a headache free status. See your local physical therapist for assistance.

Therapists at Avante Physical Therapy are skilled in helping you determine the cause of your headache pain and work with you to develop a program that will help you to relieve your symptoms.