The most important element of headache pain is a correct diagnosis of what is causing the pain. The doctors at ARC Chiropractic understand that each patient is unique and with that we take a comprehensive exam and develop individual treatment plans unique for each patient.
There are many types of headaches, each with its’ own symptoms and characteristics. Recognizing these goes a long way to helping each patient with pain relief and the long term goal of eliminating headaches.
The doctor will start with taking a detailed history of your headache symptoms. Below are descriptions of different types of headaches. After an exam your doctor will give a report of findings, a detailed treatment plan, and together we will work to alleviate your pain. Therapy and treatment vary depending on the type of headache.
Tension Headaches:
Tension-type headache pain is often described as a constant pressure, as if the head were being squeezed in a vice or there is a band wrapped around the head. The pain is frequently bilateral which means it is present on both sides of the head at once. Tension-type headache pain is typically mild to moderate, but may be severe. Tension-type headaches can be episodic or chronic. Tension type headaches are known by several different name such as stress headache, tension headache, regular headache, and work headache are just a few. In all cases tension headaches are often accompanied with an increase level of stress either physical or emotional.
Episodic Tension-Type Headaches:
Episodic tension-type headaches can occur in either acute or chronic form. Acute types occur fewer than 15 days a month, whereas chronic tension headaches occur 15 days or more a month for at least 6 months.
Cluster Headaches:
Cluster headaches are recurring bouts of excruciating unilateral headache attacks of extreme intensity. The duration of typical cluster headache attack ranges from about 15 to 180 minutes. The onset of an attack is rapid and most often without preliminary signs that are characteristic in migraines. Cluster headaches suffers have reported that they experience symptoms prior to the headaches that allows them to know when a headache is to begin or has passed.
