Headaches can be incredibly painful, and oftentimes it is difficult to pinpoint the exact cause. Migraines and tension headaches, while both aggravating, have different presentations. Knowing the differences between the two may help you avoid your next episode.
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Migraines vs. Tension Headaches
Migraines
- Severe pain, usually described as ?throbbing?
- Usually felt on one side of the head
- May be sensitive to light, sound
- Nausea
- See spots or flashing lights prior to an episode
- Triggers include: low blood sugar (skipping meals), lack of sleep, alcohol consumption, strong smells, and stress
Tension Headaches
- Mild to moderate pain
- Typically felt on both sides of the head ? temples, forehead, and/or base of skull
- Achy pain
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How Are Migraine Headaches Related to the Neck?
Your spine helps to protect your spinal cord. Your spinal cord carries signals to and from your brain. When the top bone in your neck (atlas) is misaligned, this can create pressure within your spinal cord. This can distort messages going to and from your brain, potentially leading to facial pain, muscle spasms, and other migraine symptoms.
I am trained in NUCCA, a specific chiropractic procedure aimed at detecting and reducing atlas misalignments. NUCCA involves a gentle chiropractic adjustment with no twisting, popping, or cracking. Through realigning the spine, the pressure in the spinal cord is reduced. This can potentially lead to a reduction of migraine systems.
Verderame et al. reported a case of a 75-year-old woman with chronic migraine headaches since she was a teenager. She initially utilized pain medication and anti-inflammatories to manage her symptoms and only saw a slight reduction in her headache severity. After receiving atlas corrections over the course of 5 months, her migraine severity decreased from 8/10 initially to a 3/10. Her medical doctor stated that her migraine duration and frequency also decreased.
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