Tension headaches are the most common form of headache and most people will experience one at some point in their lives. They can range from mild and annoying to severe and debilitating.

A tension headache is characterized by dull pressure or tightness on both sides of the head and sometimes on the neck. These headaches occur when the muscles in the neck and scalp contract. Tension headaches are often triggered by stress, poor posture, certain repetitive motions, and other physical activities.

Tension headaches normally do not include nausea or vomiting, but there may be photophobia (sensitivity to light) or phonophobia (sensitivity to noise). There may be tenderness to touch around the head.

Migraines are the second most common form of headache. Migraines are recurrent and are characterized by moderate to severe throbbing or pulsing pain in the head that may last several hours to days.

The pain is recurrent and usually felt on one side of the head only. Migraines often have warning signs that arise before the actual headache begins including seeing an aura and increased sensitivity to light and sound. Triggers include barometric pressure changes, hormonal changes, certain foods and drinks, stress, and exercise.

Migraines can affect your ability to work, and function normally because of the intense pain. When it occurs, the blood vessels in your head expand and the tissue around your brain swells. This swelling is very painful and for many migraine sufferers, it can lead to vomiting, visual disturbances, and increased sensitivity to light.

Women are three times more likely to experience migraines than men, and the frequency and severity of symptoms are linked to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle.

Cervicogenic headaches are a pain syndrome resulting from dysfunction in the cervical spine (neck), referring pain up into the face and head. This type of headache comes with reduced range of motion and tender musculature of the neck.

Cervicogenic headaches are triggered or aggravated by neck movements, prolonged awkward neck postures (e.g, eyes focused on a computer monitor), and/or prolonged pressure at the base of the skull. These headaches may also be associated with shoulder or arm discomfort, dizziness, nausea, light headedness, inability to concentrate, and visual disturbances. The pain from this headache can be in multiple spots of the head, can be on either side and can change locations. This condition may also be the result of an old injury such as whiplash, a car accident or repetitive strain.