Tension Headaches

Most everyone in their lifetime has and will experience a
headache at some point in their life. We typically do not pay any mind to
them, since they are such common occurrences. However, did you know that
there are different types of headaches? These include cluster headaches
wherein the pain is localized around an eye, sinus headaches that occur
behind the eyebrows or cheekbones, and migraines that affect over half of
the head and often cause nausea. Today, however, we will focus on tension
headaches and how chiropractic can improve them.

Tension headaches (also known as stress headaches) are the most
common headache in adults, affecting up to 80% of those in the US. Though
not as “severe” as a migraine, they can still be a source of major
discomfort that affects daily lives. With a tension headache, symptoms
include dull pain, pressure, and tightness around the forehead, back of the
head, and the neck. Many adults report the feeling as if a tight band had
been placed around their forehead. These may last anywhere from a half-hour
to a few days.

Symptoms of these headaches include mild to moderate pain
throughout the front, top, and sides of the head, sleeplessness, trouble
while focusing, muscular aches, sensitivity to noise or light, and
irritability. These can start at the back of the head and work their way to
the front, give pressure around the entire head, affect both sides of the
head equally, and make your neck, shoulders, and jaw muscles sore.

There are many different causes of tension headaches, the most
common being stress. However, some experience these headaches due to muscle
tension in the neck and scalp, which can be caused by a lack of rest, bad
posture, anxiety, exhaustion, hunger, alcohol or caffeine, and dental
problems. Prevention techniques include relaxation methods, Chiropractic,
massage therapy, and lifestyle changes to promote both physical and mental
health.

Though medical doctors may place importance on medication as
a form of prevention or treatment for tension headaches, chiropractic is a
very effective way of treatment as well. Many tension headaches are caused
by subluxations of the spine, which are misalignments of vertebrae that can
irritate the nerves going to the head, and are often improved with regular
chiropractic care. Spinal subluxations occur when the spine is out of
alignment, leading to pressure to the nerves or discs. This, in turn, can
affect the muscles in the neck, leading to increased tension.

With regular adjustment and evaluation by a licensed
chiropractor, subluxations can be treated, allowing your spine to return to
its normal, healthy position. This, in turn, can not only improve your
headaches but also improve areas of stress in your life once you return to
living comfortably.