The difference between a Migraine and a Headache
The difference between a headache and a migraine is that a headache is most commonly tension related; contracted muscles of the neck and facia of the scalp.
A migraine is a result of a chemical change within your body and much more severe in nature.
The easiest way to determine whether you have a headache or a migraine is that a migraine is accompanied by a range of symptoms on top of the throbbing intense pain whereas a headache is not.
Headaches and Migraine Treatment
Migraines are much more severe than headaches and to date, and although there are no clinically proven causes as to why people suffer from migraines, it is known that chemical changes can effect the entire body. Such changes include widening of the blood vessels in the brain, nerves misfit and serotonin levels become lower, leading to a migraine. If you are a regular migraine sufferer there are some warning signs to look out for that can occur from an hour to several days prior to a migraine attack.
Impending Migraine – Signs to look for include:
- Irritability.
- Sleeplessness.
- Cravings for sweet and/or salty foods.
- Excessive thirst.
- Fatigue and possibly depression.
- Pain associated with Migraines.
Pain can also be accompanied by a string of symptoms such as:
- Sensitivity to light and sounds
- Lack of concentration and focus
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Eyesight effected
- Numbness or tingling on one side of the face
Headache Treatment
A Headache is defined as a pain in the head or upper neck . It is one of the most common locations of pain in the body and has many causes. In 2007 the International Headache Society agreed upon an updated classification system for headache, creating three classifications.
The three major classifications of headaches are:
- Primary Headaches – generally include migraine, tension and cluster headaches.
- Secondary Headaches – due to an underlying structural problem in the head or neck.
- Cranial Neuralgias – occur because the nerves in the head and upper neck become inflamed. Facial Pain – may be caused by an injury, an infection in the structure of the face, eg sinus, abscessed tooth or TMJ. (TemporoMandibular Joint, or the jaw joint.)
Migraine Treatment and Headache Treatment
Migraine treatment and headache treatment will vary greatly on the health assessment of the individual patient, however all protocols of treatment will be considered in the diagnosis and ongoing care of the patient.
Migraine Treatment and headache treatment may include:
- Massage and Adjustment to realign the body, including lower back, mid back and neck.
- EBT – Energy Balancing Technique to realign the body’s energy pathways.
- Blood Tests to check and monitor for example, hormone levels.
- Relaxation massage to encourage a state of rest and recovery.
- Herbal Remedies and Vitamins to strengthen and vitalise the body, assist muscle tension and has natural anti inflammatory properties.
- Food avoidance to eliminate triggers to headaches or migraines
Whilst natural Migraine Treatment can vary from patient to patient, prescription and over the counter medications are masking the symptoms and may only provide the sufferer with short term relief. At the Natural Healing Centre our philosophy is to help patients manage their Migraines and Headaches with Migraine Treatment and headache treatment that is sustainable and not harmful to their health and well-being.
