Headaches & Migraines: what it is and how we help

Headaches at a glance

Most headaches are primary headaches, meaning the headache itself is the problem rather than a sign of something else. The two most common types are tension-type headache, a pressing band-like pain on both sides, and migraine. Many people have both, and neck and shoulder tension often feeds into each.

Types of headache and their symptoms

• Tension-type headache: dull, tight pressure across the forehead, temples or back of the head, without nausea.
• Migraine: throbbing, often one-sided pain with nausea and light sensitivity.
• Cervicogenic headache: pain starting in the neck and spreading to the head, worse with certain neck positions.
• Medication overuse headache: daily headache in people taking painkillers on many days of the month.

What causes headaches?

Stress, poor sleep, long hours at a screen, dehydration, skipped meals, jaw clenching and neck muscle tension are the most common drivers. Hormonal changes are a major factor for migraine. For the full list of triggers and warning signs, see what causes headaches.

How are headaches treated?

Treatment depends on the type. Your GP can help with medication and rule out other causes. Reducing triggers and treating the neck, jaw and posture often reduces how often headaches happen. For practical help, see how to relieve a tension headache and how long headaches last.

How we help with headaches in Chiswick

• Acupuncture: NICE guidance says a course of up to ten sessions can be considered to prevent chronic tension-type headache and migraine.
• Physiotherapy: assessment and exercise for neck-related headaches.
• Manual therapy: release of neck, shoulder and jaw muscle tension.
• Yoga and tai chi: stress reduction and posture.
• VedaPulse: a heart rate variability check that shows how stress is affecting your nervous system.

For more detail, read our guide to acupuncture for tension headaches.

What does the evidence say?

There is good evidence for acupuncture in preventing tension-type headache and migraine. Exercise for the deep neck muscles reduces cervicogenic headache. Relaxation training also has supporting evidence.

Tension headache or migraine?

Tension-type headache feels like a tight band or pressure on both sides of the head and usually lets you carry on with your day. Migraine is typically throbbing, often one-sided, worse with movement and comes with nausea or sensitivity to light and sound. Many people have both, and the pattern affects which treatment helps.

Why do I wake up with a headache?

Morning headaches are often linked to poor or short sleep, teeth grinding or jaw clenching at night, dehydration, alcohol the evening before, caffeine withdrawal or an awkward sleeping position for the neck. Loud snoring with pauses in breathing can point to sleep apnoea, which needs a GP. Regular morning headaches that are new or getting worse should be checked by a doctor.

How to ease a headache without overusing painkillers

Drink a glass of water, eat if you have skipped a meal, step away from the screen and get some fresh air. Gentle neck and shoulder stretches, a warm pack on the neck and relaxing the jaw help tension-type headaches. Simple painkillers are fine occasionally, but using them on more than about ten to fifteen days a month can cause medication overuse headache.

What to expect at Omnia

We take a full headache history, including frequency, triggers, sleep, stress and painkiller use, and check your neck, jaw and shoulders. Your plan may combine a course of acupuncture, physiotherapy for neck-related headaches and relaxation or routine support, with a headache diary so we can measure change. We ask you to keep your GP involved, especially if medication is part of your care.

What you can do at home

• Take a screen break every 30 to 45 minutes
• Drink water regularly and avoid skipping meals
• Keep a diary to spot patterns and painkiller use
• Unclench your jaw and drop your shoulders several times a day

Headaches often start in the neck or jaw. See our guides to neck pain exercises and easing TMJ jaw pain.

Related: neck and shoulder pain and jaw pain. Omnia Lifestyle, 8 to 9 Bedford Corner, Chiswick W4. Book online or call 020 4515 0000.