To Your Health
January, 2010 (Vol. 04, Issue 01) |
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Your computer desk or workstation and telephone setup also need to be examined. Improper keyboard and monitor placement can cause eye strain and make you crane your neck for hours on end.
A chair that is not adjusted properly or fit to your body type can stress the entire body, including the neck. All of these factors can contribute to headaches.
Exercise: Performed correctly, specific exercises can help strengthen upper back and neck muscles and improve posture, which will reduce the risk of muscle tension and poor-posture-related dysfunction that can contribute to headaches. Exercise also reduces emotional stress, which often goes hand in hand with a headache. Remember, make sure that the exercises you are performing do not strain any of your neck and upper back muscles. I often recommend my patients who are starting a fitness routine for the first time to consult with a personal trainer or physical therapist for at least 3-5 sessions to learn the proper techniques for exercises. For those of you already exercising, consult with your doctor about the exercises you are doing to make sure they are not stressing your body too much and creating further problems.
Headaches: Many Types, Many Potential Causes
| Type of Headache | General Symptoms | Potential Cause(s) |
| Common Migraine | Severe throbbing pain, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, sensitivity to light/sound | Excessive dilation or contraction of blood vessels in the brain |
| Classic Migraine | Same as above, but preceded by visual disturbances, numbness in hands/legs, hallucinations and/or smelling strange odors. | Excessive dilation or contraction of blood vessels in the brain |
| Cluster Headache | Severe, throbbing pain (one side of the head only); flushing of the face, tearing of eyes, nasal congestion | Stress, alcohol use, smoking |
| Tension Headache | Constant pain in one area or all over the head; sore muscles and pain in neck and upper back; light-headedness and dizziness | Stress/anxiety, depression, anger, food allergies, poor posture |
| Bilious Headache | Dull pain in forehead; throbbing temples | Indigestion, overeating, lack of exercise |
| Caffeine Headache | Throbbing pain | Caffeine withdrawal, causing blood vessels to dilate |
| Exertion Headache | Generalized headache during or after physical exertion (exercise, etc.) or passive exertion (sneezing, coughing, etc.) | Usually related to migraine or cluster headache; rarely related to organic disease. |
| Eyestrain Headache | Bilateral frontal pain (usually) | Eye muscle imbalance, uncorrected vision, astigmatism |
| Fever Headache | Generalized headache | Inflammation of blood vessels caused by fever/infection |
| Hunger Headache | Headache that strikes just before mealtime or after prolonged fasting | Low blood sugar and muscle tension caused by skipping meals, stringent dieting |
| Sinus Headache | Nagging pain over the nasal/sinus area; may increase in intensity as day progresses | Allergies or infection leading to blocked sinus ducts or acute sinus problems |
| TMJ Headache | Pain above the ear, on the sides of the jaw or in the face; clicking or popping of jaw; muscle contractions on one side of the face | Stress, poor bite, jaw clenching, teeth grinding, gum chewing |
Source: Balch JF, Balch PA. Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 2nd Edition. Avery Publishing Group: N.Y.
Kevin M. Wong, DC, a 1996 graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic West in San Jose, Calif., practices full-time in Orinda, Calif. He is also an instructor for Foot Levelers, Inc.
