Headache Symptoms
Headache symptoms vary widely, and understanding your symptoms is the first step in finding long-term relief.
Suffering From Headache Symptoms?
The symptoms of headaches can be painful, disruptive and distressing. If you live with recurring or chronic headaches, help is available.
Physiotherapy is a proven treatment for the symptoms of headaches. By identifying the underlying cause of headaches, our physiotherapists can provide relief from the symptoms. Contact us to find out more or to book your consultation.
Common Headaches Symptoms
The most common headache symptom is mild to severe pain in the head. The pain usually occurs in both sides of your head, but it may be limited to one side. Other common headache symptoms include:
- Pain in the head, face and neck
- Stiffness of the neck
- Pressure or tightness in the head
- Stabbing or burning pain
- Throbbing pain
- Pain behind one or both eyes
Symptoms vary between different types of headaches. It’s a good idea to keep a diary of when your headaches occur and the symptoms you experience. This can help us identify potential triggers and design an effective treatment program.
What is a Headache?
A headache is pain in the head or face. This type of pain is very common and is often caused by overstimulation to the pain receptors in your head or neck.
There are two main categories of headache – primary and secondary headaches:
- Primary headaches are the main health issue, rather than the symptom of an underlying problem. Cluster headaches, tension-type headaches and migraines are all examples of primary headaches.
- Secondary headaches are a symptom of an underlying issue such as stress, trauma, joint problems, hormonal changes and more.
Our physiotherapists can treat both types of headaches. Resolving secondary headaches requires us to identify the underlying issue, and you may need to address the problem through lifestyle changes and other therapies.
What Causes Headaches?
Headaches can be caused by anything that stimulates the pain receptors in your head or neck.
This includes:
- Stress and tension
- Diet and hydration
- Head, neck and spine alignment
- Hormonal changes
- Injury to the head, neck or spine
- Certain medications
- Life changing events or pathology
Talk to your health care professional about recurring headaches. The cause should always be investigated before seeking treatment.
Types of Headaches
Migraines With Aura
In migraines with aura, you experience a sensory disturbance (such as dark spots in your vision) before the onset of head pain.
Migraines Without Aura
Migraines without aura come with no warning. The head pain begins without an aura or any other sensory disturbance.
Menstrual Migraines
Menstrual migraines typically occur on day 1 of your cycle. They are triggered by normal fluctuations in your hormone levels.
Tension Type Headache
Tension type headaches present as a tightness or pressure in the head, and may be triggered by diet, dehydration and stress.
Cervicogenic Headache
Cervicogenic headaches are head pains that are caused by problems with the nerves, muscles and ligaments in your neck.
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia is face pain that’s associated with the trigeminal nerve, which connects your brain to parts of your face.
Book Your Treatment Today
Identifying the triggers and underlying causes of your headaches is the first step towards recovery. Book an appointment at the Headache, Neck and Jaw Clinic, and our physiotherapists can help you find relief.
Frequently Asked Questions
Physiotherapists use specific manual therapies, exercises, massage, postural correction and other techniques to desensitise your brainstem and retrain its pain response. This can reduce or eliminate your headache symptoms and pain.
Tension headaches, cervicogenic headaches and other types of headache are often caused by over-sensitisation of the brainstem. When headaches occur, small changes like dilation in the blood vessels in your head can trigger an abnormal pain response.
If you experience frequent headaches, they may be triggered by:
- Over-sensitisation of the brainstem
- Posture, muscle and nervous system dysfunction
- Hormone fluctuations during your menstrual cycle
- Stress and anxiety
- Lack of sleep
- Diet and dehydration
- Eye strain and computer use
- Environmental factors
Headaches are common. Most people experience headaches from time to time, but you should speak to your doctor if they are frequent or recurring.
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