PAIN Problems and
Solutions
Head Pain
What is Head Pain?
Headaches are pains in the head, which range from mild to severe and vary in their presentation and duration. Some common symptoms are pain, sensitivity to light, sound, smell, touch, nausea and vomiting, affected vision and numbness to the face.
Migraines are a type of chronic, localized headache, which progresses in stages. They are typically one sided, are often severe and exhibit symptoms such as pain behind one eye or ear, sensitivity to light, seeing spots, nausea and pain in the temple.
What Causes Head Pain?
Head pain can result from:
- Avoiding triggers
- Managing stress
- Dietary modifications
- Changes in sleeping habits
- Using medication
What are symptoms of head pain ?
- Dull, aching head pain
- Sensation of tightness or pressure across your forehead or on the sides and back of your head
- Tenderness on your scalp, neck and shoulder muscles
Management
Head pain can be managed with regular exercise, techniques such as biofeedback training and relaxation therapy can help reduce stress.
Biofeedback Training
This technique teaches you to control certain body responses that help reduce pain. During a biofeedback session, you are connected to devices that monitor and give you feedback on body functions such as muscle tension, heart rate and blood pressure.
You then learn how to reduce muscle tension and slow your heart rate and breathing yourself.
Other Relaxation Techniques
Anything that helps you relax, including deep breathing, yoga, meditation and progressive muscle relaxation, may help your headaches. You can learn relaxation techniques in classes or at home using books or tapes.
Using medications in conjunction with stress management techniques may be more effective than is either treatment alone in reducing your tension headaches.
Additionally, living a healthy lifestyle may help prevent headaches
- Get enough, but not too much, sleep
- Do not smoke
- Exercise regularly
- Eat regular, balanced meals
- Drink plenty of water
- Limit alcohol, caffeine and sugar
When Should I Seek Professional Help?
- Abrupt, severe headache
- Headache with a fever, stiff neck, mental confusion, seizures, double vision, weakness, numbness or speaking difficulties
- Headache after a head injury, especially if the headache gets worse.
Resources
The Migraine Trust
https://www.migrainetrust.org/
The migraine trust is a charity organization striving to achieve with charitable work for people who are suffering with migraine.
Migraine Research Foundation
https://migraineresearchfoundation.org/
SMRF provides an essential lifeline to the headache community by funding the best ideas at an early stage.
Self-Care Headache Forum Sheet (napp.org.uk)
SCF Fact Sheet No 6 Headache 13 Apr 13 v101.pdf (napp.org.uk)
Global Fact Sheets Against Headache
Fact Sheets – IASP (iasp-pain.org)
Neurobiological Basis of Migraine
Neurobiological Basis of Migraine | Wiley Online Books
The Migraine Miracle Guide to Migraine Triggers
Microsoft Word – Migraine Triggers.docx (mymigrainemiracle.com)
Causes of Migraines
www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=JOIR_CwX878
Migraine Signs, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment
www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=3VIXP7ShaGY
The Difference Between A Migraine and Headaches
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RX3keYGr2BM
10 Ways To Prevent Migraines
www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=PMRh4LDViEw
There Are Three Main Categories Of Pain:
Acute Pain
Lasts for a short time and occurs following surgery or trauma or other condition. It acts as a warning to the body to seek help. Although it usually improves as the body heals, in some cases, it may not.
Cancer Pain
Lasts beyond the time expected for healing following surgery, trauma or other condition. It can also exist without a clear reason at all. Although chronic pain can be a symptom of other disease, it can also be a disease in its own right, characterised by changes within the central nervous system.
Chronic Pain
Can occur in patients with early stage and advanced disease, and in cancer survivors as a severe and debilitating side-effect of treatment.
