Tension, Migraine, or Another Headache? 5 Holistic Ways to Find Lasting Headache Relief

When it comes to managing recurring headaches, you have more options than just popping pain pills. At VIP Health, we believe the first step to effective relief is understanding the root cause. With over 150 different headache possibilities, it’s important to figure out what type you’re suffering from before seeking the right treatment.

To help, our team has broken down the most common types we see at our Auckland clinic so you can better understand their causes.

First, What Are the Common Types of Headaches?

● Tension Headaches: The most common type of headache. The typical tension headache symptoms include a constant, dull ache or a tight band of pressure around the head, sometimes extending to the neck. Unlike migraines, they aren't usually accompanied by nausea. Tension headaches are often caused by stress and poor posture – issues that chiropractic care can directly address for effective tension headache relief.

● Migraine Headaches: Migraines are a complex neurological condition causing intense, throbbing headaches that can last for days. The pain is often one-sided and can interfere with daily activities. Migraines frequently bring associated symptoms like nausea and extreme sensitivity to light. Common migraine triggers like poor sleep, diet, and hormonal changes are often the cause.

● Rebound Headaches: Have you ever reached for aspirin, only to have the headache return with a vengeance once the painkiller wears off? You may be dealing with a rebound headache, which is caused by the overuse of medication.

● Sinus Headaches: These occur when your sinuses are infected or inflamed. A sinus headache is often accompanied by other sinus headache symptoms like fever, a stuffy nose, and a feeling of pressure around your eyes, cheeks, and forehead.

● Caffeine Headaches: While you might love your daily coffee, a caffeine withdrawal headache is a real phenomenon and its most common symptom. This typically affects people who consume caffeine regularly as the body becomes dependent on its effects.

Once you have a better idea of your headache type, you can focus on holistic strategies. The following methods address common triggers and help your body by reducing its overall stress load.

5 Holistic Ways to Find Headache Relief

1. Breathe to Release Tension

Stress is a primary trigger for tension headaches. When you feel stress creeping in, your body produces more cortisol, which can lead to muscle tightening. Pausing to take a few deep breaths helps calm your nervous system and signals to your body that it's safe to relax.

2. Nourish Your Body to Avoid Triggers

What you eat has a direct impact on your well-being. Migraines can be triggered by certain foods, and caffeine headaches are a direct result of withdrawal. You can support your body by fuelling it with whole, healthy foods that provide stable energy and help you avoid known triggers.

3. Balance Movement and Rest

Long hours of sitting can lead to poor posture and trigger tension headaches, while a lack of quality sleep is a significant trigger for migraines. Make gentle movement part of your routine to relieve physical tension. Equally important is allowing your body to recover with 8 hours of quality sleep each night.

4. Manage the Mental Strain of Chronic Pain

Living with recurring pain is mentally exhausting. The stress of anticipating a headache can even help trigger one. You can support your mental health by using positive affirmations, such as: "I honour my body by trusting the signals it sends me."

5. Visit VIP Health for a Professional Check-up

The stress of daily life can lead to spinal misalignments that interfere with your nervous system. A chiropractic check-up can find and address these root issues, providing a foundational solution for lasting relief.

Find Expert Headache Relief at VIP Health in Auckland

Do you suffer from regular headaches or migraines? You don't have to live with the pain. As a trusted chiropractor in Auckland, the team at VIP Health would love to help you get to the source of the problem. Discover why so many people have visited our clinic for lasting headache and migraine relief in Auckland.

If you are looking for effective migraine treatment in Auckland or a solution for your tension headaches, we are here to help.

We look forward to welcoming you to VIP Health. Contact our team today to learn more and book your consultation!