What A Cluster Headache Feels Like

Cluster Headache Treatment

According to the International Headache Society, a Cluster Headache is a rare type of severe headache that affects around 0.1% of the population. While they are quite rare compared to other types of primary headaches, they affect males about 5 times more than females. Even though Cluster Headaches are uncommon, they are regarded as being the most severe and debilitating type of headache. Research has shown out of all 300 different types of headaches and migraines, cluster headaches were described as having the highest pain levels.

Cluster Headache attacks occur in cycles throughout regular times during the day and will often wake sufferers during the night. Attacks generally last between 15 minutes to 3 hours, and can repeat multiple times per day, or once every couple of days.

Cluster Headaches patients will generally experience periods of attacks that can last weeks to months, known as a “cluster period”. These periods are then followed by periods of remission lasting weeks, months or even years without symptoms. If a cluster period lasts for over a year without letting up, the condition is called chronic cluster headache.

Once our headache clinicians offer a cluster headache treatment and expect a significant improvement to occur rapidly in 90% of our patients within the first 6 treatment consultations.

Our Cluster Headaches treatment does not require the use of medication or any surgery, it is non-invasive and is completely safe.

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Cluster Headache Symptoms

What Does A Cluster Headache Feel Like?

Cluster Headaches are often so severe that a sufferer cannot keep still during an attack. They may pace back and forth or have to take a shower but often have difficulty reducing the pain.

The pain is extreme and is commonly described as a sharp, burning or piercing feeling on one side of the head. Pain is frequently experienced around the eye or temple and generally impacts the same side of the head during each episode.

Associated symptoms of cluster headaches can include the following:

Severe pain on one side of the head
Severe pain around one eye, that can refer further around the face or neck
Watery/teary eyes or eye redness
Restlessness
Shortness of breath and/or a sweaty face
Droopy and swollen eyelids
Congested or runny nose
Flushed or pale skin

Read more about Cluster Headaches and the risk factors

Chronic Daily Headache - Sydney Headache & Migraine Clinic

Can cluster headaches be prevented?

What Triggers Cluster Headaches?

Historically it was believed that cluster headaches, as well as migraines, were caused by the dilation of blood vessels in the brain, leading to headache symptoms. This led to the belief that medications, like triptans, are effective at relieving the pain as it prevents vessel dilation. However, research has now shown that blood vessel dilation occurs in both for headache and migraine sufferers as well as those that don’t experience headaches. This means that we have been treating the wrong physiological structure.

Current research has shown that Cluster Headaches and migraines arise from increased sensitivity in the central nervous system, more specifically, a sensitised brainstem which is located in the upper cervical spine C1-3 in the neck. Dysfunction in the upper cervical can lead to this sensitised brainstem, which then can refer severe pain and associated symptoms into the head, face and eye. Furthermore, Triptan medication have also recently been shown to desensitise the brainstem. This would explain the true mechanism behind cluster headaches being a sensitised brainstem.

This information now indicates cluster headaches and migraines to be a direct result of a neck issue, accompanied by a sensitised brainstem.

Diagnosis– Cluster Headache

How are cluster headaches diagnosed?

Cluster headaches are typically diagnosed through a thorough assessment that involves your medical history, symptoms, and a physical examination. When you visit the healthcare professional, they’ll ask about the nature, frequency, and intensity of your headaches, as well as any family history of similar issues. They may also conduct a physical examination to check for signs of neurological problems. Keeping a headache diary can help track your symptoms, including any triggers or relieving factors.

While imaging tests like MRI or CT scans aren’t usually necessary, they may be ordered to rule out other potential causes. Treatment response can also aid in confirming the diagnosis; if medications like triptans or oxygen therapy prove effective, it supports the likelihood of cluster headaches. If you’re experiencing persistent or severe headaches, seeking prompt medical attention is vital for proper diagnosis and management.

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About The Assessment Stage

What To Expect During The Assessment

1. Comprehensive and in-depth examination

We instigate an in-depth assessment to identify all possible related factors that could be causing your headaches or migraines. The upper cervical spine, in particular, is thoroughly examined to identify possible issues.

2. Ligamental stability and vertebral arterial tests

We undertake careful examination of neck ligaments and vertebral arteries, ensuring only the highest standards of patient safety and comfort.

3. Temporarily reproduce your headache and migraine symptoms

As a part of the treatment process, we apply gentle and selective stress to the upper cervical spine in order to reproduce headache symptoms, which subside after 20-30 seconds. This helps to identify and treat the cause of your headaches.

Are there different types of Cluster Headache?

Episodic Cluster Headache

Episodic Cluster Headaches account for up to 80% of all Cluster Headache, making it the most common type of Cluster Headache. Episodic symptoms are when patients experience bouts of “cluster periods” that can last for weeks or months. They can occur seasonally or at set times each year. This is normally followed by an extended period in remission that can last for months or even years.

Chronic Cluster Headache

Chronic Cluster Headaches occurs without a prolonged period of remission amd account for roughly 20% of cluster headaches. Sufferers will often have “cluster periods” that will last over a year. Some sufferers may experience headache-free days however, remission periods generally last less than one month.

What Are The Risk Factors for Cluster Headaches

– Men are 3-4 times more likely to experience cluster headaches
– Patients are generally heavy smokers
– High alcohol consumption may trigger cluster headaches
– Cluster Headaches most commonly affect people aged 20-50
– Patients with family members who are sufferers may be at a higher risk

What causes Cluster Headaches?

As with many forms of headache, the cause of cluster headache was previously unknown. Medical professionals have been prescribing medications such as Triptans, which have been effective at relieving the pain, if taken early enough to ‘catch’ the headache. The effect of Triptans, as most doctors originally thought, was that it predominantly works on migraines as it helps prevent dilatation of the blood vessels in the head to stop migraines.

However, recent studies have shown that dilatation and expansion of the blood vessels are no different to those suffering from a migraine and those who are migraine-free. More importantly, the physiology of blood vessels in the head during a cluster headache do not expand, yet patients still benefit from medications such as Triptans.

How are cluster headaches treated?

Treatment for Cluster Headaches

Although cluster headaches are rare, they are still experienced by the Sydney population. The severity of symptoms causes sufferers to try a range of medical and non-medical therapies in an attempt to resolve them, with mixed results. Often, they have tried; medications, steroid injections, surgical interventions such as nerve blocks, occipital nerve stimulation, or blood vessel cauterisation, and potentially other treatments.

One of the crucial things a cluster headache sufferer needs to accomplish is to find the cause of their symptoms. A thorough examination of your upper cervical spine is initiated to determine the severity of your sensitised brainstem. If you have been found to have a sensitised brainstem, and that it is the cause of your cluster headaches, treatment can begin.

At the Sydney Headache and Migraine Clinic, we aim to use the most up to date research to find the root cause of your cluster headaches. If we examine your cervical spine and find that brainstem is sensitised and the cause of your headaches, then we can use world-leading treatment techniques to address the faults in your upper cervical spine and desensitise the brainstem. We have seen a number of Cluster Headache sufferers at our clinics throughout the country, and have an 85-90% success rate with our treatment approach. We pride ourselves on being safe, non-invasive and medication-free with our approach to cluster headaches treatments.

Once treatment commences we expect a significant improvement to occur rapidly in 90% of our patients with Cluster Headaches and within the first 5 treatment consultations.

The best part about the treatment is that it does not require the use of medication, or any surgery, it is non-invasive and is completely safe.

At the Sydney Headache and Migraine Clinic™, we have seen many patients with cluster headaches and are experts in treating cluster headaches. Therefore, we pride ourselves on keeping up with the most recent research, and applying the most effective treatments.

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Brisbane Headache & Migraine Clinic

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Andrea Duffy

1733897451

After being diagnosed with Sunct Trigeminal Neuralgia I was seeking treatment without drugs. After 2 months of... treatments with Kevin I'm now pain free. Well worth the effort for a fantastic result, thanks team.read more

Alexander Fox

1732171964

Fantastic results after years of migraine issues. Can't Thank Mattias and the team enough

saturn

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Saturn Choung

1725844713

Amanda Boechat

1721201290

Extremely good service

Sean Smith

1715927603

I have been getting treatment for a couple of weeks now from this clinic with Mattias, and although the sessions are... expensive and I was initially unsure of how success they would be, I have to say that it has been worth it there has been such a significant improvement in my headaches so far. Their techniques seem to be working and my tension headaches have almost completely gone and when I do get them they are noticeably less intense or they don’t last as long. Hoping that with continued sessions this will be the end of my headaches.read more

Christina Shrestha

1712115105

Very good service

Glen Kaminski

1710832695

Helped greatly with cluster headaches.

Roberts Štops

1710226636

Professional treatment

Lauren Newby

1708471683

Cindy Licastro

1707436321

I would recommend to anyone who suffers from migraines to give Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic a go.I have gone... from having in average a migraine a week to less than one every 2-3 months. My migraines are from a neck/ shoulder injury.My first initial appointment with practitioner Mattias McAndrew made me feel he understood my concerns/issues. Which is extremely important and worked out an unusual therapy for me! It given me a renewed interest in life. I am achieving new heights and experiences from the results of my visits.Would highly recommend.read more

Samantha

1707177763

Mattias has been fantastic! I have had debilitating migraines for years and this treatment is the only thing that has... ever helped. My migraines have almost halved since the start of treatment!read more

Keryn Masters

1706853762

Fantastic expertise and service, highly recommend, they have restored my quality of life and health. Very grateful.

Rohani Mitchell

1705635496

I have recommended this clinic to multiple people. I was experiencing daily headaches and migraines when I first came... to see Matthias, and now only get them only once or twice a month, or not at all. Very grateful.read more

Alix Leeming

1705631266

Had migraines almost daily. Have only had 1 migraine since seeing Jenny in October. 10/10 would recommend

Alberto Gomez

1705630266

I used to suffer from migraines at least twice a month and thanks to Piumi H. they have receded to only one per... quarter. If you suffer migraines you should try it, they will evaluate if the treatment will work for you and after 3 sessions you can start to see results.read more

Samuel Cox

1705564118

I have been seeing Dr. Woo for about 6 months now and he has been helping me manage my migraines fantastically.I used... to get on average 2 migraines a month, now I have gone 4 months with no migraines.The cause of my migraines was very quickly diagnosed and its clear the team here prioritise the goal of self management, not the reliance on medication and continuous appointments.Can recommend to anyone who suffers from Chronic Migraines, it may well be a life changer for you.read more

Rebecca Sheraton

1705560439

Very helpful. Compassionate and great at managing my condition of vestibular migraines and vertigo.

Gina Kearney

1705539076

Douglas is great. Very caring and helpful.

Rammari

1705454228

Megan Rollman

1705039515

I have been attending Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic for over a year and Mattias has really helped me. The... occurrence and severity of my migraines and aura attacks have greatly reduced. I no longer have to take days off work to recover.read more

Gayle Roberts

1703149791

Katy Pearce

1703146782

Jenny has been incredibly helpful with my neck pain and headaches.I’ve been to other physios for the same thing with... no result.Highly recommend the team here.read more

Nathan Wrench

1700037865

I've had migraines weekly for over 10 years with no real relief from any prescription medication or help from medical... practitioners, until i saw Dr Mattias. He has been an incredible help in finding the reason behind my migraines and is now in the process of fixing them.I would highly recommend giving Brisbane Migraine and Headache Clinic if you are suffering from any sort of mirgaines.read more

Lachlan Chaffey

1700034230

I would highly recommend Brisbane Headache & Migraine Clinic to anyone seeking a life free from headaches and... medication Practitioner Mattias McAndrew and the reception staff are very professional and accommodating to patient needs as I live out of Brisbane right from when I contacted them through www.brisbanemigraine.com.au and most importantly have made a huge difference to my migraines which has also made me feel like getting back into living and enjoying life. Thank you to all the team at Brisbane Headache & Migraine Clinic.read more

Sinead Prince

1698486128

I was suffering from a terrible cluster headache period and upon my very first treatment with Piumi, I haven't had a... single headache reaching the same 10/10 pain again. It's been two weeks and multiple sessions, but I have my life back already and am treating my headaches with either caffeine or aspirin. I go several days without them now and I cannot thank Piumi enough.read more

Leisa Burdette

1698135320

When I first met Piumi at the Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic I was experiencing a cocktail of god awful symptoms... like constant head pain + pressure, that included feeling dizzy, disconnected and a roaring/static sensations in the head, to the point where it made me tired and often times nauseous. I couldn't focus which made it very difficult for me to work or do day-to-day tasks. By the time I found the clinic I'd had MRI, CT's, seen Neurologists and other specialist.So you can imagine just how RELIEVED I was to find something that worked........ and worked really rather quickly. I'm so grateful to see that all my nasty symptoms have now been kicked to the curb!I'm no longer weighed down, I'm so much happier and back to working full time.And can I say......Piumi listened !! so many of the medical profession only half listened or just presumed things. Piumi just took it all in, heard all the details of MY experience and treated MY situation with individual care.I can't tell you how good it feels to be back to normal.So don't think about it... GO... try it...... you'll be as happy as I am that you did. No more pain, no more despair. Live againread more

Rebecca Agius

1687496085

From the get-go I've found the staff at Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic to be really understanding and... professional. I flew from Rockhampton in search of answers after nine years of intensive tension headaches, Migraine, and nausea that have been ruling my life. After both a Neurologist and Neurosurgeon reached the end of their skill-sets and gave up on me in the past year I googled and found Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic and decided to give them a go. Piumi was very professional and compassionate for what I've been going through and she believed me when I told her that I think it's all coming from my neck. She was able to very gently recreate the pain to determine that she had found the source of the headaches. She performed a treatment on me in that first appointment and for the first time in nearly a decade, I was headache free for weeks on end, with the occasional day here and there that I needed pain relief in the weeks after that. Since there are no practitioners of the technique needed to treat my neck in my hometown, Piumi has been willing to work closely with a Physio closer to my home in between times when I can make it to Brisbane for treatment with her, for which I am truly grateful! It's no exaggeration to say that meeting Piumi and the team at Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic has changed my life infinitely for the better. Thank you so much for everything! Beck Agiusread more

Niecky

1687343777

Highly recommend! I have been seeing Piumi to work on the headaches I've been dealing with for a while and she is an... amazing and caring practitioner! It improved within the first few sessions which has helped a lot! It was good to hear the details about what's been causing my headaches and getting the proper treatment and advice.read more

Shalyn Rye

1687241718

Could not recommend this clinic or Dr. Piumi enough. For the last few years (about 4) I have suffered from painful,... chronic tension headaches & migraines affecting my vision, causing nausea and if you suffer from them you know how much they take away from your life. I have cried tears of happiness with the appreciation I have for Dr. Piumi & how she has helped me gain my life back after only 4-5 appointments! I now only have one headache maybe once a week or two that quickly finish. Which in comparison to previously, mine would last for hours, days, sometimes even a week. I could even go to sleep & wake up with the same one no matter what I tried. I exhausted all my options before coming here & I wish I went sooner! You will not regret coming here. They will change your life.read more

Mike Rowland

1686806324

Migraine suffer since I can remember, haven't had results like I have here. Mattias McAndrew out of Spring Hill has... explained things much clearer than others in the past, and the treatments make total sense and have worked fantastically so far. Massive recommend.read more

Rodney Wallis

1686262753

Absolutely astounded with the results of Piumi Herath treatment. I was having migraines on an average of one every... month for about . 20 years. Piumis manipulation treatment really produced the positive results I was looking for. No pharmacy drug has ever matched Piumi's treatment. My last migraine was in mid January. It is now mid June. On a lighter note, I have nicknamed Piumi, ASPRO.Thanks ASPRO for a job well done and relieved me of the debilitating effects of crippling migraines.read more

Candice Delofski

1685873253

Working with Piumi these last few months has been amazing.I have suffered with Migraines and incapacitating headaches... for the last 10+ years. I had started to believe that I would never work a normal week.Through weekly, then fortnightly appointments she has assisted me with learning stretches, desensitisation and minor adjustments.It’s this combo that has taken my migraines from daily, to weekly.It’s been a change that has allowed me to be consistent with my work, and to become more involved in my family.If you are interested in a non- drug relief option, I highly suggest giving this clinic a try!read more

Lisa Bird

1685410304

I have Occipital Neuralgia ( chronic pain and headaches daily). It is a very difficult condition to treat and after... multiple treatments, procedures and seeing many physiotherapists, I have finally found a clinic that has given me some relief. Some relief is huge to me. I felt an instant feeling of being in good hands following my first appointment. I saw Mattais, he was thorough, professional, knowledgeable and best of all empathetic. He was also the first professional to explain to me why i have facial pain and how to manage my tense painful jaw.I travel about 4 hrs in total to see him so he must be good. The receptionists are lovely and you are made to feel very welcome at the clinic, it's a great team environment and i am very appreciative of all their help.read more

Heather Dale

1682327426

From my first viewing of the BHMC website to my rehabilitation stage, I have been so impressed! With my background as a... Physiotherapist, I knew what I was looking for but my treatment has surpassed expectations. My goal to become migraine free now seems possible. I have been a compliant patient during my treatment program in order to maximize the outcome. From the friendly, competent administration staff using efficient systems to the amazing knowledge & skills of Mattias, this Clinic provides an essential service to migraine sufferers. I highly recommend it!read more

Christine Cansfield-Smith

1680144888

I was very impressed with the professionalism of the BHMC. Prior to my visit (and we travelled from Victoria for the... treatment) the staff were helpful and friendly. We recommend the Clinic just for the high level of customer service...even before the treatment! Piumi Herath was wonderful and very efficient. She was a delight to see each visit. I was only able to have 6 treatments over two weeks but I feel so much better already. I do believe that my migraines and headaches are on the way to being cured permanently. Thank you so much to all at BHMC!read more

Chloe White

1677274656

My life has turned around since I started to see Ariel. She was quick to located the root of my discomfort and told me... exactly how she could fix it. Flash forward 8 months and I only have to go in for maintenance appointments and have no migraines anymore. I can’t recommend her and the team at Brisbane Migraine Clinics enoughread more

Jenny

1675374210

Weekly debilitating migraines were starting to really affect my quality of life. After the very first treatment with... Ariel I felt relief and have continued to improve. Would highly recommend her as a caring, understanding and very experienced practitioner and cannot thank her enough for discovering the cause of my migraines. So grateful for the support of Ariel.read more

Joh Embrey

1674795331

Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic has been an absolute life saver for me. When I came in I was suffering from... frequent and debilitating headaches and migraines. The staff are very friendly here and Mattias the head practitioner is very good at what he does. I am now about 3 weeks headache free when previously they were daily. Highly recommend to anyone suffering from headaches. I’d also recommend the pillow as this has helped dramatically. I found it very uncomfortable at first, but now I can’t sleep without and I don’t wake up with a headache or stiff neck anymore.read more

Vicky Bautista

1671535003

I've been suffering from chronic headaches for a long time. Then we found this clinic and met Douglas. Usually my... headaches last a week, but when I started my treatments with Douglas my headaches have improved. He found what was causing my headaches and worked towards fixing it the root. I really recommend Douglas and their clinic!read more

susan grech

1667434025

Really happy to recommend the Clinic and Piumi to anyone who is experiencing migraines. My condition has really... improved in the 6 weeks I have been attending the Clinic, and Piumi is a very knowledgeable and caring practitioner.read more

Tiffany Morris

1666846174

After suffering monthly (sometimes more often) migraines for 15+ years that would keep me from school/work, I saw a... billboard and decided to try Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic.After seeing Ariel for my initial round of treatment and continue to attend once every 4/5 months, I have had 1 migraine in that time (right at the start of the treatment).Ariel is amazing and recommend her and the Brisbane Migraine Clinic very highly!read more

Hyatt Narsh

1666235937

Ariel has done wonders for my migraines and I can’t be more happy with the results! So professional and welcoming.... Recommend their services and Ariel to everyone!read more

Cheryl-lee Morgan

1665826410

My son was suffering badly with severe migraines causing nausea, vomiting and excessive pain multiple times a week. ... From the very first session he began to notice some relief. After a month of treatment he has been and remains now 4 months down the track migraine free. Can not recommend Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic and Douglas Woo enough to anyone seeking help for a long term medication free solution! Absolutely fantastic!read more

Amy Wallace

1664617061

I have had migraines for more than 10 years. Since going to the Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic, my migraines... have reduced in frequency, duration, and intensity. The staff are very knowledgeable and helpful. In addition to their treatment, they are also able to give you tools to help manage your migraines between appointments.read more

J.A. Montgomery

1664616837

David Appleby has a caring, gentle manner yet is knowledgeable, competent and open minded. He has a wholistic approach... in that he looks at your whole life and habits – stress, sleeping habits and position, posture, fitness, everything and I think having this multi-pronged approach to tackle serious issues like migraines and vertigo is crucial. There seems to be a lot of confusion and misinformation surrounding the whole vertigo/migraine biso. I don’t get full-blown debilitating headaches but have had the weird zigzaggy visual aura that often goes hand in hand with migraines. And I have experienced the frightening vertigo that really stopped me in my tracks. I learned from David how important one’s neck and brainstem are and several bad habits (hunching over computer, phone, and while reading) over many years can trigger or exacerbate serious issues like vertigo. He helped me to change several of my bad habits and to protect my neck at all times with a simple exercise that I now do faithfully. The first time I had a full-blown bout of vertigo I was so scared and worried it might be something I’d have to live with and part of getting old, and now I have my mojo back and know I can stay on top of my balance and health by ensuring I continue with a few basic things that David taught me. I am starting a new chapter in my life now that I am retired and I still have a lot of living to do so I am thrilled to be feeling confident that I will be able to travel, cycle, kayak, ski, dance, play pickleball, try jiujitsu and anything else that takes my fancy. Instead of slowing down and having my world become smaller and allowing fear to stop me, I know now there is a lot I can do to control and steer my own future. Thank you, David, for helping me to work out what I need to do! Every client reading this … listen to David, do your homework religiously, and be confident you can get your life back again.read more

Lori Cousland

1664430513

David is extremely professional, knowledgeable, and approachable.I had been suffering with shoulder, neck, skull,... head pain, and headaches constantly for years.Eventually I ended up in an emergency ward with vomiting, unable to communicate and walk and no vision. I spent the night in hospital with a tick from the Drs that I had suffered a migraine and good luck in the future.Pain medication hadn’t worked for years. I was exhausted physically and mentally from the daily battle of pain.Within a couple of visits of seeing David my brain-fog and daily pain dramatically decreased whilst my memory, speech, and general daily tasks and mood improved.I’ve tried many other therapies over many years.This is, by far, the only one that has worked for me.I can not recommend David any more highly.On top of that he’s just an all round nice guy.Thank you for giving me my life back.read more

Jann Osborne

1664076341

After years of trying chiropractors, acupuncture and normal physio to get rid of my headaches and fatigue, I was... finally recommended to the Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic. I have been seeing Matthias at Spring Hill who has done marvels! I am off the heavy medications, my fatigue has gone and any headaches are manageable and the number significantly reduced. I would highly recommend the team at BHMC.read more

amandeep Kaur

1663722635

Before I started going to this migraine clinic , I had a incredibly painful migraine. I tried so many medicines but... nothing helped . One day , I saw this migraine clinic and then I started going to there to get a treatment from Dr Douglas Woo. After some time of treatment , my migraine is reduced by a lot. I have gotten the best results from this clinic.read more

Travis Brousseau

1662370488

I can honestly say Mattias and the Team were great to deal with and really helped reduced the frequency and intensity... of my headaches. It was refreshing to deal with a clinic that specialises in this condition opposed to doing many other concentrations. Highly recommended.read more