If you have ever experienced the throbbing pain a headache can bring, know that you are in good company with Hamel Chiropractic and Wellness. In today's fast paced and high stress world, it is not uncommon to experience headaches. However, it is important to realize that they can be caused by a number of different contributing factors.

Some of the most common types of headaches adults experience today include:

1. Stress or tension headaches
2. Migraine headaches
3. Sinus and allergy related headaches

Having a clear picture of the source of pain plays a critical role in selecting the right chiropractic treatment of headaches.

An increasing number of Americans report feeling as though their headaches are related to increased levels of stress. It is important to note that the word stress can have two meanings:

1. Physical Stress. This can refer to stress on the physical state of the body and often manifests from conditions such as joint disfunction and poor posture.
2. Psychological Stress. This type of stress can be caused by world events, finances, job concerns, and so on.

While a stress and tension headache can come from either origin, they typically manifest in the body the same way. At the base of the skull is a group of muscles called the suboccipital that forms a sort of triangle. When an individual begins to feel tightness at the base of the neck, it usually means that either physical or psychological stress has irritated these muscles, which in turn affects the adjacent nerves that eventually connect to the forehead.

For this reason, symptoms of a stress and tension headache generally include pain or tightness at the base of the skull or neck as well as pressure at the forehead, temple, the bridge of the nose, or behind the eyes.

Despite whether the pain occurs from physical or psychological stressors, the patient experiencing a stress or tension headache will typically benefit from decreasing the irritation of those muscles and nerves with manual manipulation.  Dr. Hamel, with 24 years experience treating headache patients, recommends a comprehensive approach to getting rid of headaches once and for all. 

Of the people who have had a headache during the past year, the World Health Organization estimates that roughly thirty percent of them reported having a migraine. This painful condition can feel rather intense with an unrelenting and deep throbbing that can last anywhere from hours to days.

The sensations a migraine causes can be so strong that it sidelines individuals from their daily activities. This type of headache generally occurs primarily on one side of the head and the condition will often make sufferers nauseous and sensitive to bright lights. People suffering from migraines may also experience visual disturbances such as stars, blind spots, or flashing lights.

Migraines are normally triggered by situations such as:

• Dehydration
• Exposure to strong, pungent smells
• Hormone fluctuations
• Lack of sleep
• Not eating

Chiropractic care for migraines frequently includes spinal manipulation to reduce inflammation. Massages may focus on specific trigger points such as the neck, shoulders and back, and patients may be prescribed certain exercises to continue doing at home for further relief. The exact course of treatment can vary from individual to individual depending on the specifics of a patient's symptoms, age, and other conditions.

Sinus and allergy related headaches usually manifest themselves in feeling pain where the sinuses are located, behind the cheekbones and eyebrows. In addition to this, some of the more distinctive signs of this type of headache include:

• A stuffy nose
• Congestion
• Facial pressure
• Fatigue
• Intensified pain when bending forward or lying down

It is fairly common for these headaches to develop as the result of seasonal allergies. The poor drainage of sinus cavities can cause the pressure to build, eventually resulting in a headache. For those that live in an area like Kingwood or Humble, TX where spring and fall seasonal allergies are prominent, sinus headaches may be a recurring problem.

Depending on the results of an individual examination of the patient, the chiropractor may choose to either stimulate facial nerves, treat acupressure points, or even thin trapped mucous via deep heat therapies to help relieve the symptoms of a sinus or allergy related headache.