Shoulder pain conditions that limit movement are common, and are caused by problems with the shoulder joint and its surrounding structures. Your shoulder is more prone to injuries than other joints because of its wide range of movement and you need to know how to deal with the pain.

A few facts. About 13.7 million people went to the doctor’s office in 2003 for a shoulder problem, including 3.7 million visits for shoulder and upper arm sprains and strains. (Source: National Center for Health Statistics; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2003 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey.)

One of the best ways you can avoid injury is to keep physically fit, through a balanced program of aerobic exercise, stretching and strengthening exercises for your whole body. There are a range of exercise programs available from local fitness centers, online services and even downloads for your MP3 or iPod players.

There are several conditions that generally cause pain and limit movement of your shoulder joint and you need to know what they are to effectively deal with your shoulder pain problem:

1. Rotator cuff disorders

Pain and Inflammation can be caused by general wear and tear that occurs with age, activities that require constant or repetitive shoulder motion (especially above shoulder level), heavy lifting, trauma, or poor posture. Serious injuries and untreated inflammation of the tendons can cause the rotator cuff to tear resulting in pain.

The pain associated with rotator cuff problems is normally felt at the front or on the outside of your shoulder, particularly when you raise your arm or lift something above your head. You may also notice the pain more when lying in bed. Severe injuries can cause weakness of the shoulder muscles, restricted shoulder movement and continuous pain.

2. Rotator cuff tears

It is usually the rotator cuff tendons (the thick bands of tissue that connect the muscles to the bones) that tear, but sometimes the tear occurs in the muscle. Severe injuries can cause several of the tendons and muscles to tear. There are special movement tests that your doctor can use to help determine which of the muscles or tendons has been torn.

3. Frozen shoulder

Frozen shoulder pain is characterized by progressive pain and stiffness in the shoulder. The pain is felt deep in the shoulder joint and may become worse at night due to inactivity.

The exact cause of this condition is not known, but it sometimes develops following other shoulder injuries. Resting a painful, injured shoulder for too long can cause the shoulder muscles and connective structures to stiffen up, so when a shoulder injury occurs make an effort to keep it loose without putting to much strain on it.

Frozen shoulder can develop spontaneously, particularly if you have thyroid problems or diabetes seem to be at increased risk. Most people with frozen shoulder tend to improve within 2 years, with or without treatment. In the interim, however it can be quite painful.

4. Dislocated shoulder and shoulder instability

A dislocated shoulder is visibly deformed or out of place, and there may be swelling or bruising around the joint. Your shoulder movement will be severely restricted. Your Doctor can usually put the shoulder bone back into place using gentle maneuvers.

If you suffer a dislocation, keep in mind that the shoulder joint sometimes becomes unstable and susceptible to repeated dislocations. This causes pain and unsteadiness when you raise your arm or move it away from your body. Your shoulder may feel as if it is slipping out of place when you lift your arm over your head.

5. Arthritis

Arthritis causes progressive joint pain, tenderness, swelling and stiffness. Both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis will affect the shoulder joint.
Sometimes shoulder pain can be due to problems in your neck or a mixture of several different problems. A visit to your doctor is almost always necessary when it comes to a shoulder problem because in rare instances, shoulder pain may be caused by infection, problems with the nerves, or a tumor located somewhere else in your body.

As with any medical issue, a shoulder problem is generally diagnosed using a three-part process:

• Medical History – You tell your doctor about any injury or other condition that might be causing the pain.

• Physical Examination – Your doctor examines you by feeling for injury and to discover the limits of movement, location of pain, and extent of joint instability.

• Tests – Your doctor may order one or more of the tests for you listed below to make a specific diagnosis.

What tests are needed to determine the cause of your shoulder pain?

Your doctor will determine the cause of your pain based on your symptoms and a physical examination. Where the pain is felt, both at rest and when moving the shoulder, is a clue to the cause of the shoulder pain. Your doctor will also test your shoulder strength and the range of movement in your shoulder joint.

You may need an X-ray, or other scans, such as an ultrasound scan or MRI. Sometimes, an arthroscopy is needed. In this test, your doctor can look inside the shoulder joint using a small telescopic instrument that has a camera on the end. This is not as painful as it sounds.

How your shoulder pain will be treated

In addition to relieving pain, treatment is aimed at restoring mobility in your shoulder joint. The choice of treatment depends on the extent of your shoulder problem and the level of pain.

Pain relievers such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often used as an initial treatment for shoulder pain. Ibuprofen is the best and Aspirin should be avoided.

Another simple way of easing shoulder pain is by applying a cold pack to your shoulder for 10 minutes at a time three or four times a day. Cold packs will reduce inflammation, and are most helpful when applied for the first few days following a shoulder injury. After that, you can switch to using a heat pack; intermittent applications of heat can help relax the shoulder muscles.

A heat pad used at night when sleeping will keep the shoulder from stiffing up.
You should rest your shoulder for a couple of days after an injury, and if you have dislocated your shoulder, you may need to rest your arm in a sling or splint for several weeks after the joint has been manipulated back into place.

However, with most shoulder problems it isn’t a good idea to rest for too long. While you should avoid strenuous activities and lifting heavy objects, you should still move your shoulder to help make sure that you regain full use of the joint. By returning to your normal activities as soon as possible (within the limits of disability and pain), you can help prevent the shoulder joint from stiffening up.

Physiotherapy can help treat you shoulder pain.

Physiotherapy can help improve your shoulder strength and flexibility as well as relieve the pain associated with most shoulder problems. Physiotherapists use a variety of different therapies, including massage, ultrasound therapy, laser therapy and electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) — a therapy that uses mild electrical currents to treat pain.

Taping the shoulder joint can also help stabilize it and reduce pain during activities. Your doctor will refer you to a good Physiotherapist is he feels the extent of your injury warrants Physiotherapy.

Physiotherapists can also teach you special rehabilitation exercises to stretch and strengthen the rotator cuff muscles of the shoulder. Exercises that improve your shoulder’s range of movement help reduce the pain and stiffness that occurs after a period of immobility. Range of motion exercises may be followed by resistance exercises and weight training to strengthen the muscles.

Steroid injections can be effective but proceed with caution.

Depending on the cause of your shoulder problem, corticosteroid injections may be given to relieve the pain in the short term. The corticosteroid, which is often mixed with a local anesthetic, reduces inflammation and allows you to move the shoulder more comfortably. Make sure you understand what is involved in this kind of treatment to include the long term effect on your body. The jury is still out on the impact of this type of treatment.

Surgery may be necessary to treat your shoulder problem.

Because most people improve with the above treatments, only about 10 per cent of people with shoulder problems will need to be treated with surgery. People with shoulder instability or rotator cuff problems that are not responding to less invasive treatments may benefit from an operation, and shoulder joint replacement may be considered for people with degenerative arthritis.

There are also some conditions that need to be treated initially with an operation, including some rotator cuff tears and dislocated shoulders that cannot be reduced (put back in) with simple manual maneuvers. Sometimes frozen shoulder is treated with what’s known as manipulation under anesthesia. In this therapy, your shoulder is gently moved while you are under a general anesthetic to help improve its range of motion and of course avoid the treatment pain.

So make sure you do not self-diagnosis your shoulder problem, see your doctor. Keep in mind that it isn’t a good idea to rest it for too long or it will stiffen up. Use Cold and Heat intermittingly to speed up the healing process. Avoid strenuous activities and lifting heavy objects, but remember to move your shoulder to help make sure that you regain full use of the joint by returning to your normal activities as soon as possible and you will regain full use of your shoulder in a reasonable period of time.

But, if you are still experiencing pain, listen to it, it is a signal trying to tell you something is still wrong with your shoulder.

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Ray Attebery is President for The Centre for Pain Relief in New York City.

One of the most often presented conditions that massage therapists encounter is chronic pain, making pain management and relief a chief goal of a massage session. Sometimes though, regular massage therapy may not be enough to relieve this kind of pain, and clients may rely on traditional Western medicine for help. The most common doctor-prescribed medications for chronic pain relief are steroids, particularly Prednisone, which is primarily used as an anti-inflammatory. Since this medication is so common, it is likely that many of your clients are taking it for pain relief. This makes it absolutely necessary for massage therapists to know and understand any and all possible contraindications with this drug.

Taking Prednisone for chronic pain may offer tremendous relief to your clients, but it is not without its share of side effects. Some of the most common side effects of this steroid include headaches, dizziness, fatigue and muscle weakness. These and other side effects are things that every massage therapist should be aware of so that they can adjust their massage accordingly, and provide the safest and most beneficial therapeutic treatment possible. Another important aspect of Prednisone to be aware of is its ability to inhibit calcium absorption, thus contributing to weak and fragile bones.

Due to the many possible side effects of this drug and, in order to ensure the client’s safety, bodyworkers treating clients taking Prednisone should opt for light, gentle massage strokes in favor of deep muscle work. It is important for you and your client to stay in close contact with the client’s physician so that he or she can monitor any developing conditions that may result from this medication.

Read more about the benefits and drawbacks of taking Prednisone for pain management, as well as the steroid’s impact on massage, by reading this entire article here.

This article was prepared for HomeStudyCredits.org. Learn more about massage therapy and massage therapy continuing education programs.

The sinus headache is unique in it’s location. It primarily affects the face, but can also affect the entire top of the head if the sinus infection is left untreated too long. You can actually make the sinus headache hurt worse by pushing on your sinus cavities such as your cheekbones and forehead. I wouldn’t recommend doing it though as the pain spikes severely and does not go back down for hours!

The sinus headache is caused by a sinus infection or sinusitis. Since there are several sinus cavities and locations, pain from a sinus headache may be in all or just a few locations. Pain from the sinus cavities is felt in the cheek area, above and behind the eyes and top of the head. Getting on an antibiotic can give relief the next day.

I’ve read that sinus infections rarely cause sinus headaches, and I can’t help but wonder if that author had ever experienced a sinus infection? I had chronic sinus infections for over twenty years until I had sinus surgery a few years ago and an overly large turbinate was removed. I have not had a sinus infection, or very painful sinus headache for three years now. I can tell you though that from my experience with twenty years of sinus infections, every single one of them produced a sinus headache.

The pain from a sinus headache was slightly less painful, or as painful as a migraine headache. Bending over made the sinus headache so painful that I almost passed out.

While waiting for your antibiotic to kick in and stop the pain, there are some things you can do to give relief from the sinus headache. Lie back and put a warm washcloth on your forehead, eyes and cheeks several times a day. Take aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen also after making sure there will be no drug interaction with your sinus infection prescription. Use a hot steam vaporizer in your bedroom or lie down in the bathroom with the shower running on hot water. You can lie back in the tub with the shower running but I wouldn’t recommend it as the pressure from the water hitting your face would cause the pain to be much worse.

It is important to drink lots of liquids to help flush out the sinuses. Use a saline nasal spray a few times a day to try and open up the sinuses to help them drain faster. You may be quite nauseous from the sinus infection but do try to eat some soup and applesauce. You don’t want to add a hunger headache on top of the sinus headache. Also sleep as much as you can. Sleep helps the body heal, and you can’t feel pain when you’re asleep!

For more information on the sinus headache visit http://www.theheadacheinfosite.com, the #1 website that specializes in providing advice, tips and resources on headaches that you can use to help combat and relieve pains you may be experiencing from a frequent headache.

A migraine headache is one of the worst headaches a person can experience. They are debilitating as they do not just provide pain but is usually accompanied by sensitivity to light, sound and cause nausea. Most sufferers have to lie down in a darkened bedroom, with a wet cloth over their eyes until the migraine finally goes away. A migraine headache may last from hours to days.

The cause of the migraine headache is unknown, which is exceedingly frustrating. Also, not everyone will experience a migraine in the same way. Not even the same person will have a migraine headache the same way! My migraines occur in the Spring and Fall when the seasons change. Doctors do not know if the trigger is pollen, change of the amount of sunlight per day or change in stress level.

Thankfully I only get one migraine each season but the migraine headache is not the same each time. Some migraines are very bad and feel like someone is drilling all over my skull at once. Other times my head just feels like it is stuck in a vise. Sometimes I’ll get an aura before the migraine headache starts. That at least gives me a warning so that I can get home and stop driving before it hits.

The migraine headache aura is something peculiar to the migraine headache. It is a visual disturbance that migraine sufferers will experience before the headache begins and may also occur during the rest of the headache.

I have experienced two types of aura with my migraines over the years. The aura will either be a large arch of vibrating red and blue small triangles that gradually appear and block out my vision in one eye, or it will be a hole of no vision over one eye. My left eye seems to be the one usually affected by the auras. As you can see, it is impossible to function normally with an aura that precursors a migraine headache.

After the migraine headache is over I am completely exhausted and feel ill. For those that have never had the misfortune to experience a migraine headache, it is very hard to explain the pain and recovery symptoms. It is like needing to recover from physical torture. Your body needs to recover and so does your mental state. I am lucky in that I only have a few migraine headaches a year. I really do not know how people can even live when they have several migraines a week!

For more information on the cause of a headache visit http://www.theheadacheinfosite.com, the #1 website that specializes in providing advice, tips and resources on headaches that you can use to help combat and relieve pains you may be experiencing from a migraine headache.

Fibromyalgia is escalating to epidemic proportions, yet there is much about this condition that remains a mystery to allopathic physicians. After working with many patients who suffer from fibromyalgia, I have concluded that their causes and, thus, their treatments are multi-factorial. There simply isn’t one major reason why people are suffering with fibromyalgia. Instead, a variety of emotional, constitutional, and nutritional factors combine to influence the onset and duration of this condition.

Western medicine can offer little to patients with fibromyalgia. Even alternative practitioners often struggle in effectively treating this condition. I recommend a comprehensive treatment of fibromyalgia that includes acupuncture, herbs, nutritional supplementation, and therapeutic exercises such as yoga. Since the condition is caused by a variety of factors, its treatment must be multi-layered.

Emotional Considerations

My clinical experience has shown that many fibromyalgia patients are the victims of previous abuse of a sexual, emotional or verbal nature. The betrayal of intimacy and the severing of trust that occur in abusive situations can have a variety of physical and emotional repercussions. In Chinese medicine, this betrayal causes deep imbalances between the fire and earth elements. Fire corresponds to the heart and pericardium, earth to the spleen and stomach. Fire is related to intimacy, trust, and connection. Earth is related to the health of our musculature, worry, obsession, and nourishment. One way to look at the symptoms of fibromyalgia is that excessive heat is generated in the heart as a result of betrayal and abuse. This heat is sent into the spleen and stomach, which control our muscles. This causes inflammation, pain, and fatigue (earth) along with anxiety and sleep problems (fire). The end result is that the victim of such abuse is in a state of shock; all major system of the body shut down and fatigue, pain, and anxiety prevail. This state of shock can go on indefinitely until it is directly treated. There are powerful acupuncture and herbal protocols to clear shock, which is typically the first priority in healing fibromyalgia. One of the most challenging things about working with this population is that they tend to become overly identified with their symptoms. They easily attach to the label of fibromyalgia, which makes them feel justified in being victimized by their pain. Perhaps this is because the initial insult of being a victim of abuse has carried over into their relationship with the fibromyalgia. If this theme is occurring, then an essential aspect of healing involves helping the patient detach from the ‘victim mindset’. Each case is certainly unique and it is not my intent to over generalize, but this theme has been prevalent through the many patients of fibromyalgia that I have worked with.

Therapeutic Considerations

If you suffer from Fibromyalgia, meditation is an excellent discipline to restore health, balance, and awareness to your life.

Common painkillers such as aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen are not usually effective at relieving the pain of fibromyalgia. Other approaches, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, dietary counseling, exercise, and nutritional supplementation, are more likely to be of benefit. Many different disorders can cause symptoms similar to those of fibromyalgia, including anemia, depression, hepatitis, and Lyme disease, among others. Anyone who experiences muscular pain and/ or fatigue that persists for longer than a week or two should consult a health care provider. There may be an underlying medical disorder that requires treatment.

Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an excellent treatment method for reducing pain and inflammation, improving energy, and harmonizing emotional imbalances. For fibromyalgia, I recommend committing to treatment once a week for 6-8 weeks, then assessing the progress. If practiced skillfully, acupuncture can be very helpful for fibromyalgia patients.

Herbs
Treating fibromyalgia with herbs tends to be so specific to the patient’s constitution that listing off a few formulas is not all that helpful. One Chinese herbal formula, however, is used extensively for fibromyalgia. It is called shen tong zhu yu tang. This formula promotes blood circulation and reduces inflammation. It is used for systemic pain.

Nutritional Considerations
Because malabsorption problems are common in fibromyalgia, all nutrients are needed in greater than normal amounts, and a proper diet is essential. Colon cleansing is recommended to rid the gastrointestinal tract of mucus and debris, and so improve nutrient absorption. Food allergies can exacerbate the discomfort of many disorders. Determine hidden food or chemical hypersensitivities by appropriate tests. Many fibromyalgia sufferers also have irritable bowel syndrome. It is recommended that a comprehensive digestive and stool analysis be done for parasites.

The daily diet should include milled flax seed, 3 or more tbsp., or cold-pressed, unrefined flax seed oil. Flax seed and its oil contain the essential fatty acid omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid, which the body converts into hormone-like substances called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins help relieve the inflammation of fibromyalgia. The oils of fatty fish such as trout, cod, halibut, mackerel and salmon also contain omega-3 fatty acids and therefore work as anti-inflammatory agents.

Alfalfa can be used for pain control. It contains saponins, sterols, flavonoids, coumarins, alkaloids, vitamins, amino acids, minerals and trace elements.

Eat a high-fiber diet that includes plentiful servings of raw and steamed vegetables. Maximize your intake of greens. Eat four to five small meals daily rather than three larger ones. This will ensure that you have a steady supply of nutrients available for proper muscle function.

Avoid processed foods and foods that are high in saturated or hydrogenated fats, such as dairy products, meat, and margarine. Saturated fats interfere with circulation, increasing inflammation and pain.

Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and sugar. These substances enhance fatigue, increase muscle pain, and can interfere with normal sleep patterns. Drink eight glasses of pure water daily. Fresh juices and herbal teas are also good choices. A plentiful intake of liquids is important for flushing out toxins.

Investigate the possibility that food allergies and/ or sensitivities may be contributing to the problem.

Nutritional Supplements
Treating fibromyalgia with nutritional supplements is best done on a one-on-one basis with a professional health care provider. With that said, here are a few recommendations to consider if you would like to start working with natural methods.

Magnesuim and Calcium
Chronic pain sufferers, especially those with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, tend to be deficient in magnesium. Magnesium supplementation has produced very good results in treating fibromyalgia. The combination of magnesium and malic acid helps to increase energy. These nutrients are precursors to the Krebs cycle, a series of enzyme reactions that are a key part of the production of energy on the cellular level. Take 100 to 200 milligrams of magnesium and 400 to 800 milligrams of malic acid three times a day, twenty minutes before each meal. (Some professionals recommend up to 500 milligrams of magnesium and 2,000 milligrams of malic acid.) With the extra malic acid and magnesium, fibromyalgia sufferers can handle exercise and still get out and about the next day. The combination magnesium and malic acid may also be helping the bodies handle physiologic stress better. (Caution: People with heart or kidney problems should check with their doctors before taking supplemental magnesium.)

5HTP
Many professionals believe that the central cause of the pain of fibromyalgia is a low level of serotonin. Thus, it is beneficial to raise serotonin levels and improve sleep quality along with providing adequate nutrition. 5-HTP has shown considerable benefit in treating fibromyalgia in double blind studies. Although 5-HTP can be effective on its own, a combination therapy involving a combination of 5-HTP (100 mg), St. John’s wort extract (300 mg, 0.3-percent hypericin content), and magnesium (150 to 250 mg) three times per day may be even more effective.

Antioxidants help reduce free-radical damage and fight inflammation. Take a good antioxidant formula that provides daily:

5,000 to 10,000 International Units of vitamin A Up to 10,000 milligrams of buffered vitamin C 400 to 800 international units of vitamin E 200 micrograms of selenium.

This is called ACES therapy and is a very good combination of vitamins and nutrients. Vitamins A, C and E are called antioxidants. They are useful to combat free- radical damage at the cellular level. Vitamin E, in particular, improves circulation and reduces muscle pain.

Note: If you are pregnant, or intend to get pregnant, or if you have liver disease, consult your doctor before taking supplemental vitamin A. If you have high blood pressure, limit your intake of supplemental vitamin E to a total of 400 International Units daily, and if you are taking an anticoagulant (blood thinner), consult your physician before taking supplemental vitamin E.

S-adenosylmethionine (SAM or SAM-e) is an amino acid derivative that has been shown in clinical trials to reduce the number of trigger points and areas of pain, lessen pain and fatigue, and improve mood. Take 400 milligrams two or three times daily. Be patient. It can take up to six weeks to see results.

Evening primrose oil is an excellent source of essential fatty acids, which act as natural anti-inflammatories in the body. By dealing with the inflammation, pain is reduced.

If emotional or physical stress is a source of problems, taking extra B vitamins will help the nerves and improve energy.

If fatigue is a problem, bee pollen or royal jelly supplements are safe and effective sources of energy that will not deplete the adrenal glands, but are building and supporting. Also consider Chinese herbal formulas such as liu jun zi tang that strengthen digestion, build energy, and drain phlegm.

Whey protein and creatine monohydrate support the musculoskeletal system in its repair process.

Bromelain helps reduce inflammation. Take 400 milligrams three times daily, between meals.

Coenzyme Q10 is also an antioxidant and helps deliver oxygen to cells. Take 60 milligrams twice daily, between meals.

Lipoic acid is very useful for enhancing the body’s utilization of carbohydrates and enhancing energy. Take 100 milligrams three times daily.

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydrogen (NADH) is an antioxidant enzyme that occurs in all living cells. It facilitates the production of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and noradrenaline. Low levels of neurotransmitters are often associated with fibromyalgia. Taking 15 milligrams one-half hour before breakfast and dinner often improves concentration, stamina, and energy.

Phosphatidyl serine, a type of lipid, can be helpful if memory problems accompany fibromyalgia. It often yields rapid and impressive improvement in memory and mental alertness. Unfortunately, it is relatively expensive. Take 75 to 100 milligrams three times daily. (Gingko Biloba is a cheaper alternative.)

Summary of Nutrient Recommendations

Essential Nutrients

Coenzyme Q10 Acidophilus Lecithin Malic acid and magnesium Manganese Proteolytic enzymes Vitamin A and vitamin E Vitamin C with bioflavonoids Vitamin B complex injections plus extra vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) and vitamin B12 or vitamin B complex Dimethylglycine (DMG) Free-form amino acid complex Grape seed extract Garlic (Kyolic)

Important Nutrients

Calcium and magnesium plus potassium and selenium and zinc DL-phenylalanine (DLPA) Essential fatty acids (black currant seed oil, flaxseed oil, and primrose oil are good sources) Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) L-Leucine plus L-isoleucine and L -valine L- Tyrosine Melatonin Multivitamin and mineral complex plus natural carotenoids

Balancing Sleep Cycles
Treating sleep deprivation is a top priority for patients with fibromyalgia. Neurotransmitters are regulated in delta sleep. Fibromyalgia patients don’t get enough of this, as they are jolted awake by intrusive alpha waves many times a night. They often wake feeling like they have been hit by truck because cellular repair and neurotransmitter balancing hasn’t happened. Chamomile, valerian, and 5 http can be helpful for getting more delta sleep. The Chinese herbal formula suan zao ren tang is also a safe, effective choice for improving sleep.

Conclusion
As you can see, there are many natural treatment options for healing fibromyalgia. The treatment process can take a few weeks or months, but it is certainly worth pursuing. Do the best you can to commit to an organic whole foods diet, regular exercise, yoga, nutritional supplementation, and acupuncture. This should provide you with a vast framework of resources for healing yourself.

Kevin Doherty, L.Ac., MS is a licensed acupuncturist in private practice in Superior, Colorado. To learn more about Kevin, visit his websites at http://wwwbouldercountyacupuncture.com and http://www.mindfulnesscd.net

There is nothing worse than a headache. Of course some of you, or even many of you, may beg to differ. But is there really anything else so common that is so debilitating?

A headache makes it impossible to think, concentrate or do any physical movement. Even sound and light make the pain worse. My headaches usually do not respond to any pain medicine such as aspirin or Tylenol. If they were easy to treat then I wouldn’t dislike headaches so much, but for now they are top on my ‘Physical Ailment That Is Most Hated’ list!

I know I’m not alone in thinking that the headache is the most common ailment. There are a variety of causes for them such as eye problems (such as new lens prescription or working at the computer too long), sinus infections, migraines, tension (most common while at work or with in-laws) and illnesses (for example meningitis or brain tumors).

Don’t fret that your bad headache is a tumor, as more than 95% of headaches are not due to life threatening illnesses. Though, did you hear about that one nurse that thought she just had headaches from stress and found out it was a huge tumor?

Don’t start writing your will now (though you should have a will anyway) as brain tumors and life threatening illnesses that cause headaches are still rare. Most headaches are of the tension headache variety which could be caused by bad posture or ergonomics at the cubicle, as an example. To solve headaches caused by bad posture, make sure you sit up and have your computer monitor at eye level when working at the computer. Hours of being hunched over and looking down at a monitor below your eye level will most definitely cause a headache even after just a few hours.

Other common causes of headaches are not drinking enough water (dehydration), caffeine withdrawal and allergies. When I work I tend to forget to do everything not involved with my work, such as drinking and eating. I’ll usually remember to take a break when I have a headache. That is a typical dehydration headache scenario. If you’re like me, then buy a little timer and set it to go off once an hour. When the timer goes off refill your mug with water or tea (coffee is dehydrating) and drink it all.

The common headache can usually be treated with over the counter medicine such as aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen. The migraine headache will never go away that easily and a prescription for heavy duty painkillers or migraine specific medicine is necessary. Cluster headaches are also very painful and a prescription for pain medicine is necessary.

For more information on the headache visit http://www.theheadacheinfosite.com, the #1 website that specializes in providing advice, tips and resources on headaches that you can use to help combat and relieve the pains you may be experiencing from a frequent headache.

A cluster headache is extremely painful, much worse than a migraine, and occurs in patterns. These headaches are thankfully rare as their claim to infamy is their cyclical nature and localized, clustered extreme pain. Frequent attacks of cluster headaches have caused some sufferers to commit suicide. The pattern of cluster headaches vary from person to person and cluster headaches may go in remission for months or even years, but will always come back.

The cluster headache can occur in anyone, but is more common among men from 20 to 40 years of age. There seems to be no correlation between the fact that these headaches strike men in the years when they are commonly parents of young children.

The cluster headache occurs very quickly and normally only on one side of the head. Even though the side that the headaches occur on may change from cluster to cluster, they normally only appear on one side for every cluster headache. The pain is localized, or clustered, around the eye. Cluster headache sufferers describe the pain as someone stabbing them in the eye with a hot iron poker, or pulling the eye out of its socket. The pain is physical torture and moving around restlessly is used to try to distract them from going mad with pain. Lying down actually makes the pain worse. This is very different from a migraine headache in which relief comes from lying down and staying very still in a dark room.

The pain from the localized and very painful cluster headache drives people to crazed antics or desperate acts to distract their mind from the pain. They may wander listlessly, move crazily and even beat their heads against walls.

Some unlucky people suffer cluster headaches only at night when they sleep. They try to stay awake as long as possible to avoid the severe pain. They become sleep deprived quickly due to the painful cluster headache, and from forcing themselves to stay awake. Depression and suicidal thoughts set in quickly when this occurs.

Some symptoms that occur with cluster headaches are redness and tearing of the eye that is affected, swelling on that side of the face, flushing, sweating, runny nose on that side of the head, reduced pupil size and drooping eyelid. Even after the cluster headache is over, some of these symptoms may still be present until they gradually disappear. Nausea and a sensitivity to light and sound may also occur, but are not common.

The cluster headache occurs in predictable patterns in the individual. The length of the cluster is usually from two to twelve weeks. The start and length of the duration are very predictable, according to that person’s headache history. The clusters may occur around seasons such as Spring and Fall or the longest or shortest days of the year. During a cluster, headaches can occur daily or several times a day.

The individual cluster headache may last from a few minutes to several hours. Unfortunately these headaches occur more frequently at night than during the day.

For more information on the cluster headache visit http://www.theheadacheinfosite.com, the #1 website that specializes in providing advice, tips and resources on headaches that you can use to help combat and relieve the pains you may be experiencing from a mind-numbing migraine headache.

The tension headache is what most people refer to when they say they have a headache. It is the most common headache experienced. Some people actually have chronic tension headaches, which means the tension headaches occur often. The tension headache is usually mild or moderate but can be severe. The pain of a tension headache is not localized and occurs over a wide part or all of the head.

The tension headache can be episodic or chronic. Episodic tension headaches occur for a few hours at certain times such as under very stressful conditions, at work near the end of the day, or when being subjected to Hannah Montana TV show marathons. If the condition that causes the headache cannot be changed, such as skipping work, then you need to manage the condition to lessen the severity or length of the headache. If they occur only while at work, then check the ergonomics of your desk and take breaks to walk around at least once an hour.

Tension headaches are termed chronic when they occur more than fifteen times a month, for at least three months. The chronic tension headache can even be continuous with no beginning or ending during the day. Some people may not even realize they have a chronic headache because they have become accustomed to the chronic daily pain.

It can be quite difficult to find the cause of a chronic tension headache. Headaches may be caused by medication, medical conditions such as depression, allergies (especially food allergies), bad posture, stress, lack of sleep, lack of or too much caffeine, change of routine, lack of sleep, dieting, lack of exercise, hormones and even overuse of pain medication to treat these headaches.

According to doctors of chiropractic medicine, tension headaches are caused by muscle inflammation and trigger points, joint irritation, nerve compression, and misalignment of the spine. Studies have shown that the frequency, duration and severity of the tension headache can be decreased by receiving chiropractic treatments. Many patients have initially gone to a chiropractor for another reason such as back pain, and were pleasantly surprised to find that their tension headaches were reduced or completely eliminated as well.

Keeping in good physical shape by exercising and stretching daily will help control and prevent a tension headache. Stretching disciplines such as yoga and tai chi will loosen up tight muscles that can cause tension headaches. Getting regular massages will also help loosen tight muscles and keep them loose which will also prevent a tension headache. If stress is a suspected cause then keeping a daily journal especially right before bedtime will help reduce stress.

For more information on the tension headache visit http://www.theheadacheinfosite.com, the #1 website that specializes in providing advice, tips and resources on headaches that you can use to help combat and relieve the pains you may be experiencing from a mind-numbing chronic headache.

The migraine headache is one of the worst headaches known to mankind. These headaches render the afflicted completely debilitated until the pain and migraine headache symptom or symptoms pass. Even then the person will need time to recover as dealing with severe pain, which is only one migraine headache symptom, is very exhausting.

How do you recognize a migraine headache? How is a migraine headache different from a regular headache such as a tension headache or a sinus headache? The ability to differentiate between the types of headaches is necessary, as the treatment will drastically differ for each. The only way to diagnose a migraine headache is to look for a characteristic migraine headache symptom or collection of symptoms.

Not all migraine headache sufferers will show all the symptoms at one time, or even one migraine headache symptom consistently with all their migraine headaches. Not all migraines are the same.

One consistent migraine headache symptom is the moderate to severe pain experienced. The pain can be all on one side or both sides of the head. Only the pain from cluster headaches or a meningitis headache is worse. The pain is not static, which would be easier to ignore, but is throbbing or pulsating. Physical activity of any kind makes it much worse so most sufferers lie down very still in a dark room to seek relief.

Another migraine headache symptom is sensitivity to light and/or sound. Light of any intensity seems to cut right through the eye and make the level of pain experienced spike. Relief from this symptom can be found by shutting off all lights, blocking all light coming in from windows and also having a wet washcloth over the eyes to keep any light from sneaking in. The sensitivity to any light is hard to deal with as the sufferer is left alone unable to see or speak due to the pain. The sensitivity to sound includes even listening to soothing light music.

Besides the severe pain and sensitivities there is another well known migraine headache symptom that may not occur with every headache. This symptom is the aura that precedes the migraine headache by 15 to 30 minutes. The aura can take a few forms such as flashes of light, blind spots in vision, gradual blackout of vision and zigzag lines. I have experienced two kinds of auras the zigzag lines and blind spots. I actually saw a large arc composed of vibrating red and blue triangles for many of my migraines. It was impossible to function once this occurred as anywhere I looked the aura was in the way blocking my vision. As a migraine headache symptom, the blind spot was less stressful to deal with, came on gradually and left just as slowly. I was able to see more than with the vibrating triangle aura, but it was still impossible to read or drive.

For more information on a migraine headache symptom or symptoms, visit http://www.theheadacheinfosite.com, the #1 website that specializes in providing advice, tips and resources on headaches that you can use to help combat and relieve the pains you may be experiencing from a mind-numbing migraine headache.

With the number of daily headache sufferers in the millions, headache relief is high on the most wanted information list. There are a wide variety of headache types with even more causes, so a list of headache relief cures that will work for any type of headache is just not possible. But there are some headache relief measures that will work to relieve or at least diminish the pain caused by all headaches.

The best way to have headache relief is to prevent them. Make sure you are not skipping any meals and are eating enough protein. Going on a diet and eating less calories will always cause headaches for the first few days. Do not skip meals though as a body needs nourishment at least every 3 to 4 hours. Not eating for more than 4 hours can cause a headache. Also make sure you eat at least 3 ounces of protein a meal. A meal full of carbs and hardly any protein can cause headaches.

Make sure you exercise regularly even if it is just walking for 10 minutes. When exercising your body releases natural pain killers and loosens up your muscles. Tight muscles in the upper body and head can cause headaches. So for headache relief definitely start exercising. I also suggest starting a stretching program such as yoga or tai chi. I’ve gone into yoga sessions with a bad headache but ended them with the headache completely gone. This is not too surprising as yoga loosens muscles, stretches them and is very relaxing.

You also need to get at least 8 hours of sleep a night for headache relief. Too little sleep will cause headaches and make the day much harder to get through. Keeping a sleep schedule whereby you go to bed and get up at the same time every day will also help prevent headaches due to inconsistent sleep patterns. If you have trouble getting to sleep write out your thoughts in a journal or take a 3 mg melatonin pill. Melatonin pills are found in the vitamin section of any pharmacy. Melatonin naturally helps you to fall asleep.

Caffeine is used in many headache relief remedies, but too much can cause headaches. Do not drink more than 4 cups of coffee a day and stop drinking coffee around 2pm. If you are cutting back on the amount of caffeine you drink a day, expect moderate to severe headaches for several days until your body adjusts.

To determine if these methods work, keep a headache diary. Record the number of headaches, their severity, length, time they occurred and what was happening at the time. Even if the headache was present when you woke up, never varied and never left, record that as well. Write down what you tried that day for headache relief and note if it worked or not. This information is invaluable to a medical doctor.

For more information on headache relief visit http://www.theheadacheinfosite.com, the #1 website that specializes in providing advice, tips and resources on headaches that you can use to help combat and relieve the pains you may be experiencing from a mind-numbing migraine headache.