Have a headache again? Do you find they have been coming on more frequently lately? Not sure of the best way to manage the symptoms, or even where they come from? If you’re asking yourself these questions then you’re not alone. It’s good to be aware of the difference between headache pain and migraine pain. Being able to differentiate your pain symptoms will help you to manage them better and be aware of possible triggers in the future.
There are usually two
main reasons we get headaches. One is a direct symptom from an underlying
cause, such as muscle tension, sleep disturbances, or maybe even posture or jaw
imbalances. The second is usually a side effect from something more systemic
going on, like the flu or a form of injury or trauma. We will be focusing on
the primary headache or migraine symptoms and how to be aware of them.
What is the difference
between a tension headache and a migraine? It’s the way you experience them and
the types of pain or symptoms that you have that will define one or the other.
Headache pain is
usually a dull throb or ache that happens on one or both sides of our temples,
the back of our head, or even the bridge of our nose. Tension around our shoulders
and neck (or even slight nausea) can also sometimes accompany a headache, but
usually most symptoms will either decrease or go away all together in a time
span of 30 minutes to 15 days, depending on the severity.[i]
These tension headaches can be caused by stress, imbalanced postures or
positioning for too long, muscle or joint restriction or even changes in
temperatures outside.
The best way to alleviate
these symptoms is first to rest as much as possible. Having a hot bath with a
cold damp face cloth applied to either the forehead or neck can also help to
ease headache symptoms. Adjusting your pillow or sleep patterns, or even taking
more short rest breaks at work can help to make headaches less frequent. Having
a massage or a chiropractic adjustment and talking with your health care
provider about proper stretches and posture to alleviate muscles can also be
very beneficial if you have a headache.
Migraines, in comparison,
have very different symptoms and can be more debilitating. It is believed that
migraines originate from a mix of vascular and neural tension which can be
triggered by diet, stress, hormonal shifts, allergies, hunger and a lot of
other causes. Early symptoms may occur that can indicate a migraine is about to
start, like water retention, an increase in fatigue, or general malaise. Once a
migraine has started symptoms are usually severe and can last between 48 to 72
hours. When a person is suffering from a migraine, some symptoms that may occur
are muscle soreness, sensitivity to light and sound, nausea or vomiting, and
cold sweats. Some symptoms may affect vision, causing a blurry aura around
objects (depending on the severity of the migraine).
The best way to take
care of a migraine is to stop it before it even begins. Be aware of what triggers may cause your
migraine symptoms to appear, and if possible eliminate or reduce the stress to
your body in those areas. If you start to feel a migraine come on, hot baths
and self massage can help to decrease the symptoms. During a migraine, however,
it is best to rest as much as possible in a dark room with a cold gel pack applied
to the head or the back of the neck. Eating lighter but regular meals and
staying hydrated is also an important form of self care. Once the migraine has
passed it is always a good idea to get a massage or chiropractic adjustment to alleviate
any lingering tension that may have occurred from the migraine.
If you notice that
your headaches or migraines are more frequent, last longer, and are becoming
more severe and painful, it is always recommended to seek advice from a medical
expert or your MD. There may be underlying health conditions that could be causing
your headaches.
Headaches or migraines
are sometimes unavoidable but how you respond to them is up to you. Don’t let
your headaches or migraines interfere any more than you need to. Get back to
the things you love and to a healthier you. You’ll be glad you did.
Article by: Ashley Rocheleau - Registered Massage Therapist
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