Understanding Headaches: Types, Causes, How to Tell the Difference, and Natural Solutions
Headaches are one of the most common health complaints in the world — and also one of the most misunderstood.
While many people simply “power through” the pain or reach for medication, headaches are often the body’s warning sign that something deeper is not functioning properly.
Understanding what type of headache you’re experiencing is the first step toward long-term relief.
The 4 Most Common Types of Headaches
1. Tension Headaches
What it feels like:
Dull, aching pain
Tight band or pressure around the head
Often felt in the forehead, temples, or back of the skull
Neck and shoulder tightness is common
Typical causes:
Poor posture (especially from sitting or screen time)
Muscle tension in the neck and upper back
Stress and fatigue
Jaw clenching or grinding
Key clue:
If your neck and shoulders feel tight and sore along with your headache, it is very likely a tension headache.
2. Cervicogenic Headaches (Neck-Related Headaches)
What it feels like:
Pain that starts in the neck and travels into the head
Often on one side
Can radiate into the eye, temple, or behind the ear
Worse with certain neck movements
Typical causes:
Joint restriction in the cervical spine
Poor posture
Old injuries (whiplash, sports injuries)
Weakness or instability in the deep neck muscles
Key clue:
If moving your neck changes your headache — this is a major sign it is cervicogenic in nature.
3. Migraine Headaches
What it feels like:
Throbbing or pulsing pain
Often on one side of the head
May include nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity, sound sensitivity, or visual disturbances
Typical causes:
Nervous system sensitivity
Hormonal fluctuations
Blood sugar instability
Poor sleep
Certain foods and dehydration
Stress overload
Key clue:
If your headache is accompanied by nausea, light sensitivity, or visual changes, it is likely a migraine.
4. Sinus Headaches
What it feels like:
Deep pressure in the cheeks, forehead, or between the eyes
Pain increases with bending forward
Congestion and facial tenderness
Typical causes:
Sinus infection
Allergies
Chronic inflammation
Poor lymphatic drainage
Key clue:
If your headache feels like facial pressure and worsens when leaning forward, it is likely sinus-related.
Why Most Headaches Keep Coming Back
Most headaches are not random.
They are the result of mechanical stress, muscle imbalance, poor movement patterns, nerve irritation, and lifestyle stressors that accumulate over time.
Pain medication may quiet the signal — but it does not correct the cause.
Natural Solutions That Actually Work
1. Correct the Mechanics
Proper movement of the spine, especially the neck and upper back, is essential for normal nerve function and blood flow.
When joints become restricted or unstable, the nervous system becomes irritated — often triggering headaches.
Chiropractic adjustments combined with corrective rehab restore proper joint motion and reduce nerve irritation.
2. Restore Muscle Balance
Tight muscles pull joints out of position.
Weak muscles fail to stabilize them.
Targeted mobility work and strengthening of the neck, shoulders, and upper back dramatically reduce headache frequency.
3. Improve Posture and Ergonomics
Most modern headaches begin at a desk.
Small posture corrections and proper workstation setup can significantly reduce strain on the cervical spine and nervous system.
4. Optimize Lifestyle Inputs
Hydration, sleep quality, stress management, and proper nutrition all directly affect headache frequency and intensity.
When You Should Seek Professional Help
If your headaches:
Occur weekly or more
Are getting worse over time
Limit your ability to work or enjoy life
Are accompanied by neck pain or stiffness
…then your body is clearly telling you something is wrong — and it deserves a real solution.
Final Thoughts
Headaches are not something you simply “have to live with.”
They are signals — and when the underlying cause is addressed correctly, they often resolve far more quickly than people expect.
At New Edge Spine & Sport, our goal is not to mask symptoms, but to restore function, stability, and long-term resilience.
If headaches are part of your daily life, it’s time for a better approach.