Headache & Sinus

Do you get headaches or sinus pain?

Headaches and sinus pressure can put a damper on your entire day. Not only do these symptoms take a lot of energy to deal with, but others around you don’t realize the pain you experience. This can lead to irritability within you and can even impact your personal relationships.

Most headaches are either felt as muscle tension around the head, arteriole pressure within the head, or pressure within the sinuses. If headaches are waking you up in the middle of the night, or getting increasingly worse, we recommend seeking chiropractic or medical help immediately. At Clear Point Wellness we can help you trace the source of your pain so that you can feel like yourself again.

What causes headaches?

Dehydration – The number one cause of headaches is easy to fix. Always drink a glass of water when you get a headache; sometimes that is all you’ll need.

Stress – Many headaches — including tension, cluster, and migraines — are triggered by high levels of stress. Whether stress increases muscle tone, or arteriole pressure, or the sensitivity of cranial nerves, relaxing these systems back to baseline can make your headaches a thing of the past.

Eye strain – Tired eyes recruit neck and face muscles and can result in tension headaches as well as sinus pressure.

Allergies and food sensitivities – Both of these irritants inflame the sinuses as well as the digestive tract increasing pressure in the sinuses and increasing tension in the chest and neck. Eliminating exposure as well as decreasing the inflammatory condition can bring relief.

Muscle tension in neck and jaw – Either from emotional stress or physical trauma, heightened tensions from the neck and jaw cut off the necessary blood flow to the scalp creating a tension headache.

Hormonal imbalance – Hyperthyroid or dramatic changes in hormonal levels can cause headaches and migraines. Habits, foods, relaxation and exercise all play a role in supporting balanced hormones.

Prior head, nose, neck or jaw trauma – When biomechanics are not easily moving forces from the neck to the jaw and the face, pressures build up and increase the incident of headaches.

Professional treatment for headaches and sinus pain

Chiropractors work to decrease neck tensions that can cause headaches. Some specialists also work with the cranial bones and membranes around the brain to reduce pressures in the head and sinuses. Some also work with TMJ issues which can contribute to head tensions.

Massage therapists and Rolfers are effective in relaxing tight muscles and fascia that cause pain. Headaches caused from stress and tension are effectively relieved with regular massage care.

Acupuncturists are effective in treating chronic headaches especially migraines, or headaches caused from allergies with acupuncture, cupping, and herbs.

MDs may prescribe pain killers, hormonal therapy, diuretics, or anxiety medication depending on the type of headache. They will also rule out possible pathology.

Optometrists will make sure your eyes are getting the support you need to avoid eye strain.

Psychologists and counselors can help you deal with stress and emotional trauma that can either cause pain or result from long term pain exposure.

Self-Care Tips

You may be able to minimize your headaches by trying some of these home remedies:

• Stay hydrated, and if you do get a headache or sinus pressure, immediately drink a full glass of water and hydrate your nasal passages. Also consider a humidifier at night to keep your sinuses hydrated.
• Reduce your exposure to stressful situations and people.
• Take breaks throughout the day. Staying in the same position for too long, or working too hard for too long can cause a headache.
• If you do computer work set up your computer station in an ergonomic way. Always keep the monitor in front of you and do not lean in to look at the screen.
• Get your eyes checked regularly and wear your reading glasses when you read or do computer work.
• Avoid foods that cause you problems.
• Take up meditation.

Online resources

National Institutes of Health:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003024.htm

University of Maryland Medical Center:

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/migraine-headache-000072.htm

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/sinus-headache-000073.htm

National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke:

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/headache/headache.htm