Causes, treatment and prevention of headaches

Headaches

Written by Dr. David Howard – B.Sc. (Clinical Sci.), M.H.Sc. (Osteopathy), B.App.Sc (Human Movement) from Pascoe Vale Osteopathy located in Pascoe Vale, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Headaches are one of the most common issues seen at Pascoe Vale Osteopathy. Headaches can range from a dull ache to debilitating migraines requiring hospitalisation.

Headaches affect 66% of men and 80% of women. 5% of adults actually experience a headache every day. Headaches may not be a serious disease but they greatly affect our everyday life, work and play.

What can cause headaches?

There are many different types and causes of headaches:
Eye strain
Toxic
Hormonal/menstrual related
Alcohol induced
Post traumatic (i.e. after a  bump to the head)
Migraine
Sinus headache
Jaw/Temporomandiubular joints (TMJ)
Whiplash
Dehydration
Due to serious disease such as a brain tumour (rare)

But the most common is the ‘cervicogenic’ headache (meaning from the neck) or ‘tension’ headaches.

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