What is the difference between migraine and headache?

Migraine and ordinary headaches differ significantly in intensity, duration and accompanying symptoms. Migraine often causes throbbing, one-sided pain with nausea and light sensitivity, while ordinary headaches typically produce milder, pressing pain. Recognising these differences helps in choosing the right treatment and preventing migraine triggers.

What are the main differences between migraine and ordinary headaches?

Migraine distinguishes itself from ordinary headaches through intensity, location and accompanying symptoms. Migraine often causes moderate to severe, throbbing pain that usually occurs on one side of the head. Migraine headache is accompanied by nausea, vomiting and extreme sensitivity to light and sound.

Ordinary tension headaches, on the other hand, feel like a tight band around the head. This pain is usually mild to moderate, has a pressing character and affects both sides of the head equally. Accompanying symptoms such as nausea rarely occur with tension headaches.

Duration also differs significantly. Migraine can persist for 4 to 72 hours without treatment, while tension headaches usually disappear within a few hours to a day. Migraine affects daily functioning much more severely, often forcing people to stop their activities.

Which symptoms specifically indicate migraine rather than headache?

Migraine-specific symptoms include aura, one-sided throbbing pain, nausea and extreme sensitivity to stimuli. Approximately 25% of people with migraine experience aura, which manifests as visual disturbances such as flickering lights, zigzag lines or aura spots in the visual field.

Other characteristic migraine symptoms are:

• Intense, throbbing or pounding pain, usually on one side
• Nausea and vomiting that make eating difficult
• Extreme light sensitivity (photophobia), requiring dark spaces
• Sound sensitivity, where normal sounds feel painful
• Sensitivity to odours, which can worsen nausea

Warning signs preceding a migraine attack may include: changes in mood, energy or appetite, frequent yawning, neck stiffness or thirst. This prodromal phase can begin 24–48 hours before the headache.

What causes migraine and ordinary headaches?

Migraine has more complex neurological causes than ordinary headaches, with genetic factors, hormonal changes and specific triggers playing a role. In migraine, changes occur in brain activity and blood vessels, while tension headaches usually arise from muscle tension in the head, neck and shoulders.

Common migraine triggers are:

• Hormonal fluctuations during menstruation, pregnancy or menopause
• Specific foods such as cheese, chocolate, alcohol or nitrates
• Stress, both during and after stressful periods
• Sleep changes, both too little and too much sleep
• Weather changes and barometric pressure variations
• Bright lights, strong odours or loud sounds

Tension headaches often arise from stress, poor posture, eye strain, dehydration or hunger. These triggers are usually easier to identify and avoid than migraine triggers.

How can you distinguish between different types of headaches?

Recognising different headache types helps in choosing the right treatment. Each type of migraine and headache has specific characteristics, patterns and symptoms that are distinctive.

Tension headache feels like a tight band around the head, is usually mild to moderate and comes on gradually. The pain is pressing or squeezing and minimally affects daily activities.

Cluster headache causes extremely intense, burning pain around one eye. This headache occurs in clusters, often at the same time of day, and is accompanied by a red, watery eye and blocked nose on the affected side.

Sinus headache arises from inflamed sinuses and causes deep, constant pain in the forehead, cheekbones or bridge of the nose. This pain worsens when bending forward and often accompanies nasal congestion and fever.

Migraine distinguishes itself through the throbbing, one-sided pain, accompanying symptoms and the way it can completely disrupt daily functioning. Movement worsens migraine, while rest in a dark, quiet room provides relief.

How Ruggensteun helps with migraine and headache complaints

We offer specialised chiropractic treatments for migraine and headaches through a holistic approach that focuses on the nervous system and spine. Our treatments address the underlying causes rather than merely suppressing symptoms.

Our specialised treatment methods include:

• CFR (Cranial Facial Release) – a gentle technique that reduces tension in the head-neck area
• Y-strap treatments – spinal decompression for improved nerve function
• Holistic optimisation of the nervous system for better communication between brain and body
• Individualised migraine tips and preventive strategies

By improving spinal alignment and reducing tension in the nervous system, we can help reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine and headaches. Our approach focuses on activating your body’s natural self-healing ability.

Would you like to know more about our specialised migraine treatments? Contact us for a personal consultation, or visit our practice for more information about our holistic approach to headaches and migraine.