Types of headaches.

What are headaches?

Headaches (HA) are one of the most common health complaints seen in clinical practice. Studies suggest over 70% of adults experience at least one significant headache each year (1).  While many happen only on occasion and are self-limiting, some become recurrent and disruptive, affecting work, sleep, exercise, and daily life.

Not all headaches are the same and each has different causes, even though symptoms can overlap. The most common types we see in practice are:

·         Tension-type headache: the most common type of headache. It is usually a dull, pressing, or tightening pain on both sides of the head, often like a band around the forehead or pressure at the back of the skull. This is caused by a combination of tension through jaw, head and neck muscles combined with an overstimulated nervous system.

·         Cervicogenic headaches: originate from the upper neck (first three vertebrae). Pain typically starts at the base of the skull and may radiate to the temple, forehead, or behind one eye. Symptoms are usually one-sided and often worsen with prolonged looking down, turning the head, looking up, or holding the neck in one position for too long (such as during desk work or driving).

·         Migraine: a neurological condition rather than purely a neck problem. It usually presents as moderate to severe, throbbing of the head, and often has a preceding ‘aura’ phase which can include nausea, light or sound sensitivity, and sometimes visual disturbances. Hormonal changes, especially fluctuations in oestrogen, are common triggers, which partly explains why migraine is more prevalent in women and may fluctuate around menstruation or perimenopause.

·         Cluster headache: Cluster headache is less common but extremely severe. Pain is sharp or burning and usually centred around one eye or temple. Attacks occur in “clusters” or repeated episodes over weeks or months, followed by periods of remission. Pain is almost always one-sided and may come with eye watering, nasal congestion, drooping eyelid, or sweating on the affected side. Cluster headache is a neurological condition involving the hypothalamus and trigeminal autonomic system.

Why Headaches Can Become Persistent

Irrespective of the type, frequent headaches are rarely caused by a single factor. More often they develop from a combination of contributors such as neck irritation, reduced physical capacity, poor sleep, stress, and hormonal changes.

Ongoing irritation from sensitive muscles and joints can gradually increase the sensitivity of the nervous system, lowering the threshold for pain. As a result, headaches may start to occur more easily, more frequently, and sometimes with less obvious triggers.

How Osteopathy Can Help Headaches

Osteopathy uses a whole-person approach to headache management. Rather than focusing only on the head, osteopaths assess the whole-body including neck, upper back, jaw, posture, breathing, and consider lifestyle factors that may be contributing to recurrent headaches.

Osteopaths use hands-on techniques such as soft tissue massage and gentle joint mobilisation or adjustments (optional) to help reduce tension and improve movement. For more information about our approach, please visit our website.

Long-term headache management

For lasting improvement, it’s important to address the underlying reasons headaches keep coming back. Treatment is tailored to the individual but may include:

·         Simple strengthening for the neck and upper back.

·         Practical posture and workstation advice for desk work and driving.

·         Guidance on pacing daily activity and exercise.

·         Breathing exercises to improve rib cage movement.

·         Advice on sleep position and pillow support.

·         A gradual return to regular exercise.

The aim is to improve tissue health and overall physical capacity so the body can better handle everyday demands. Over time, this can help reduce how often headaches occur and how severe they feel.