Many people are looking for Headache Treatment in Kitchener because they suffer from headaches on a daily basis and that includes migraines. The International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-2) lists over 150 different types of headaches and at least 3 neck pain headaches that can be classified into primary and secondary.
Primary Headaches: Occur independently and are not caused by another medical condition. Examples of primary headaches are: Migraine, cluster, and tension-type headache.
Secondary Headaches: Originate as a result of other health disorders. Examples of causes of secondary headaches include: fever, infection, stress, high blood pressure, psychiatric disorders, head injury (concussions), stroke, tumors, TMJ syndrome, and nerve disorders (trigeminal neuralgia). Medication overuse headaches or rebound headaches are another example of secondary headaches.
One of the most common causes of secondary headaches is neck pain. Research has found that individuals with neck pain are up to 10 times more likely to experience a headache (compared to those without NP). In addition, some studies have found that greater than 80% of individuals with whiplash-associated disorders report headaches.
The ICHD-2 list 3 types of headaches that are the result of neck pain. This article is going to discuss the causes and symptoms of neck pain associated headaches.
Chiropractors receive extensive training on assessing on treating the neck. As a result, chiropractors are perfectly suited to neck pain associated headaches. To learn about how chiropractic treatment can alleviate neck pain associated headaches, click here.
Tension-Type Headaches (TTHA) : People searching for Headache Treatment in Kitchener will discover that Tension-type headaches are the most common type of primary headache, as approximately 38% of adults suffer annually with them. Given how common tension-type headaches are, I thought it was important to dedicate a separate article on them. To learn more about tension-type headaches, click here. In addition, if you want to learn how tension headaches play a role in post concussion syndrome, click here.
Whiplash-Related Headache (WRHA) : Whiplash is a sudden acceleration, deceleration of the neck that is usually caused by a motor vehicle accident. An acceleration/deceleration mechanism is also thought to cause concussions. The main difference is the acceleration/deceleration force required to cause a concussion is far greater than that the force required for whiplash.
Headaches attributed to a whiplash injury can be classified as acute or chronic, depending on whether the symptoms persist for greater than 3 months. The symptoms of whiplash associated head pain are tight and tender cervical spine muscles that refer pain to skull, as well as reduced range of motion of the neck.
Cervicogenic Headache : The ICHD-2 defines cervicogenic headaches as “head pain, referred from a source in the neck that may arise from a variety of upper cervical spine structures.” The prevailing theory is that a cervicogenic headache is caused by a dysfunction and reduced range of motion to the first and second cervical vertebrae.
Cervicogenic headaches account for 15% to 20% of all headaches. The symptoms of cervicogenic headaches (ICHD-2) are neck pain (suboccipital region), history of neck trauma, unilateral (although can be bilateral), reduced C1-C2 range of motion, focal neck tenderness and co-existing shoulder pain.
If you have any questions about our chiropractic services in Kitchener or want more details regarding Headache Treatment in Kitchener we’ll be happy to help you at any time, just make an appointment or call Dr. Joel.