Headaches & Migraines: What's the Difference?

Headaches & Migraines Explained by our Springfield Chiropractor

Almost everyone has had a headache, one of the most common forms of chronic pain. The pain can be annoying, or it can be so severe that it can be debilitating. However, as Meek Integrative Health Center in Springfield would like to explain, headaches come in all sorts of varieties. Migraines are on a whole other level, with their own characteristics.

What are Headaches?

Ordinary headaches are most often caused by tension or anxiety and occur on both sides of the head. There are actually several types of headaches and each can affect your body differently. Cluster headaches happen on one side of the head and come in waves or clusters, lasting for a period of time, followed by headache-free periods before the next one strikes. A sinus headache is caused by a sinus infection and can be accompanied by congestion, a stuffy nose, and pressure in the face. Chiari headaches are caused by a genetic condition that causes the skull to press against the brain in the back of the head. Thunderclap headaches, as the term implies, are the most severe of all and often are the signal for a stroke or some other severe medical condition.

What are Migraines?

Migraines are often accompanied by nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and unusual sensations called “auras.” While some migraine attacks are moderate, some are so severe that they make performing ordinary tasks impossible. The causes of migraines are not well understood, but they seem to consist of genetic predisposition and environmental triggers.

Meek Integrative Health Center Can Help with Chronic Headaches or Migraine Pain

Our chiropractor can help patients who are prone to headaches or migraines using chiropractic care or may recommend a functional medicine approach using massage therapy and other forms of physical therapy. Treatment can lower the intensity and frequency of pain associated with migraines and other forms of headaches. At Meek Integrative Health Center, we can also offer advice for diet and exercise that can alleviate some of the triggers associated with headache attacks.

Contact our Springfield, MO Chiropractor for Headache Relief

If you have any more questions about headaches, migraines, or treatment, call Meek Integrative Health Center in Springfield, MO at (417) 887-0340, or visit our contact page.