Headache Treatment: IFC, Heat and Ice
Headache Treatment With IFC, Heat and Ice
Today we want to demonstrate an effective headache treatment involving Interferential Current Therapy (IFC), heat and ice. Headaches are one of the most common sires of pain in the body. They can be classified as being one of three types: primary, secondary and cranial neuralgias, facial pain and other headaches. A headache is pain in any region of the head. Headaches may occur on one or both sides of the head, localized in a certain location, radiate across the head from one point, or have a band-like quality. A headache may be sharp, throbbing, or a dull ache. Headaches may appear gradually or suddenly, and they may last less than an hour or for several days.
Types of headaches
Tension headaches: This is the most common type. It feels like a constant ache or pressure around the head, especially at the temples or back of the head and neck. They are not as severe as migraines and they don’t usually cause nausea or vomiting; and they rarely stop you from doing your daily activities.
Cluster headaches: These are recurring headaches that occur in groups or cycles. They appear suddenly and are characterized by severe, debilitating pain on one side of the head, and are often accompanied by a watery eye and nasal congestion, or a runny nose on the same side of the face.
This type of headache causes restlessness and irritability; affected individuals are unlikely to lie down, as someone with a migraine might. The cause of cluster headaches is unknown, but there may be a genetic component.
Sinus headaches: Inflammation of sinuses, often due to an infection, can cause this type of headache. It usually comes with a fever and can be diagnosed by symptoms or the presence of pus on examination.
Rebound headaches: Overuse of painkillers for headaches can lead to rebound headaches.
Culprits include over-the-counter medications like aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), as well as prescription drugs.
Migraine headaches: Migraines can run in families and are diagnosed using certain criteria.
- At least five previous episodes of headaches
- Lasting between 4–72 hours
- At least two out of these four: one-sided pain, throbbing pain, moderate-to-severe pain, and pain that interferes with, is worsened by, or prohibits routine activity. At least one associated feature: nausea and/or vomiting, or sensitivity to light and sound.
What is IFC?
Interferential current therapy is a modality often used in physical therapy. IFC involves the placement of two electrodes at a painful area or the spinal nerve root associated with a painful region. Alternating currents of medium frequency are applied rising and falling at different frequencies. The current penetrates deeper than other electrical modalities and has various positive effects. It can increase localized blood flow helping improve healing and swelling. It also reduces pain by stimulating local nerves.
IFC as a headache treatment is very effective. When applying low frequency currents causes inhibition of the nervous system, which results in muscle relaxation, suppression of pain and acceleration of healing.
How Can PhysioChiroWellness Help?
At PhysioChiroWellness Integrated Health Centre our highly-skilled practitioners work together to create fully integrated health solutions that may include physiotherapy, chiropractic, massage therapy, acupuncture, naturopathy, medical aesthetics amongst others. Our professionals will work together towards achieving an optimal health for all our patients through a holistically approach when treating any condition or pain they may present. This service is provided in our Vaughan, On & Newmarket, On clinics and can be booked at any time.
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