What Causes A Cluster Headache?
While some headaches have specific triggers, such as hormonal changes, stress, or tension, cluster headaches typically do not. While the exact cause of cluster headaches is unknown, many medical professionals believe that they are associated with the hypothalamus. Some factors that may put you at a higher risk for developing cluster headaches include: • Age. Most people who develop cluster headaches are between 20-50 years old. • Sex. Males are more likely to develop cluster headaches than females. • Smoking. A large number of people who experience cluster headaches are smokers. • Alcohol. Alcohol use can aggravate or even trigger a cluster attack. • Family history. Those who have family members with cluster headaches are more likely to develop them themselves. How can physical therapy help relieve my cluster headaches? Physical therapy isn’t normally someone’s first thought when they have a headache - most of the time, the common reaction is to take some form of pain-relieving medication. This may help to relieve pain in the short-term, but if you are constantly suffering from headaches, pain relief drugs will not provide you with the same long-term effects that physical therapy will. Some common physical therapy treatments for headache relief includes: • Trigger point therapy
• Strengthening •Stretching
Since there are some environmental factors associated with cluster headaches, your physical therapist may also suggest lifestyle changes to help prevent the headaches from occurring. This may include increasing exercise or cutting out alcohol and/or cigarettes. Your physical therapist can also provide you with stress relief exercises to try and avoid stressful situations that may cause your cluster headaches, or the adoption of additional healthy lifestyle choices, such as maintaining a consistent sleep schedule or implementing a more nutritious diet. We can help get to the root of your problem and figure out what factors are causing your cluster headaches so we can treat them accordingly. If you have been dealing with persistent, ongoing headaches that you believe may be cluster headaches, don’t hesitate to contact our office today. We will help you figure out the cause of your headaches and provide an effective, safe, and natural treatment plan for eliminating them!
• Heat or ice compressions • Soft tissue mobilization • Muscular releases • Muscle energy techniques • Body mobilization • Cervical traction • McKenzie-based therapies
Call us today to schedule an appointment (907) 562-2118.
Minted Couscous Salad
INGREDIENTS • 1 cup dry couscous • 1 cup jarred roasted red peppers • 2 tbsp olive oil
• Juice from 1/2 lemon • 1 tomato, seeded and diced • 1 English cucumber, diced • 1/2 cup mint (or flat-leaf parsley) • Salt and pepper
INSTRUCTIONS Cook the couscous according to package directions. Fluff with fork. Meanwhile, dice roasted red peppers and add diced tomato and cucumber to a bowl. Add lemon juice and olive oil and stir to combine. Finely chopmint (or parsley) and add to bowl, along with the cooked couscous, and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!
CALL US TODAY FOR AN APPOINTMENT (907) 562-2118
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