What Type of Headache Do You Have? – Part 1: Migraines
Nearly 80% of the Canadian population reports suffering from a headache at some point. Headaches are a symptom of many different conditions affecting the head and neck, and figuring out exactly which type you have is the first step toward real relief. The good news? Chiropractors are trained to help diagnose what’s causing your headache, and chiropractic care can effectively treat 90% of headache causes.
🩺 Not sure what's triggering your headaches? Book a chiropractic assessment and get a clear answer—and a plan to feel better.
When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention
While headaches are common, they are uncommonly a symptom of a serious underlying pathology. If you experience the onset of a new headache after the age of 40, or what feels like the worst headache of your life, you should seek immediate medical attention. Other warning symptoms include double vision, numbness, trouble swallowing, and fever. That said, it’s worth remembering that 99% of headaches are not caused by a serious pathology—most simply need the right diagnosis and treatment approach.
So, What Are the 3 Most Common Types of Headaches?
Over the next few posts in this series, we’ll break down the three most common headache types one by one, starting with a headache many people know all too well: the migraine.
1. Migraines
So what causes migraines? No one is entirely certain—and that’s exactly why migraines are classified as primary headaches, meaning they are not caused by another underlying disorder. This can make them frustrating to manage, but it doesn’t mean you’re without options.
💊 Living with recurring migraines? Chiropractic care may help reduce how often they happen and how much they affect your life.
Encouragingly, the International Headache Society recommends chiropractic care for the treatment of migraines, and chiropractic has been shown to be effective in reducing their frequency and severity. So how long does it take to see improvement? Most patients follow a treatment plan of twice-weekly visits for eight weeks.
Key Takeaways
Migraines are a primary headache disorder characterized by throbbing, one-sided pain, often accompanied by light sensitivity, sound sensitivity, and nausea. While their exact cause remains unknown, chiropractic care is a recommended and effective treatment option, with most people following an eight-week, twice-weekly plan to see meaningful improvement.
Ready to Get Ahead of Your Migraines?
You don’t have to accept frequent migraines as “just part of life.” Schedule a consultation with our chiropractic team today and start your personalized treatment plan toward fewer, less severe headaches.
Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll cover the second most common type of headache.
Frequently Asked Questions
A primary headache, like a migraine, is one that is not caused by another underlying medical condition. It’s considered its own disorder rather than a symptom of something else.
Migraines tend to be more intense, are often one-sided, and are frequently accompanied by additional symptoms such as light sensitivity, sound sensitivity, and nausea—symptoms not typically seen with a standard tension headache.
Most treatment plans involve visits twice a week for eight weeks, though your chiropractor may adjust this based on your specific symptoms and response to care.
Seek immediate medical attention if you develop a new headache after age 40, experience the worst headache of your life, or notice symptoms like double vision, numbness, trouble swallowing, or fever.
Yes. Chiropractic care can effectively treat 90% of headache causes, not just migraines. Stay tuned for Part 2 of this series, where we’ll explore another common headache type.
