Tension headaches are noted by a mild to moderate pain level that feels like a tight band circling the head. In healthcare, this is called a tension-type headache and though it is the most frequent type of headache experienced, there is disagreement about what causes it. Effective treatments are available and include a number of different methods.
Though experts do not believe that muscle contractions cause this pain, sufferers often report that it feels this way. Symptoms include dull, aching pain and a feeling of pressure or tightness across the forehead or on the back and sides of the head. Shoulder muscles, the neck, and the scalp may become tender and some people lose their appetite when the pain sets in. The condition may last only 30 minutes or as long as a week.
Severity of pain is variable among patients and even from one headache to the next. Some patients report only infrequent episodes while others experience this type of headache almost constantly. If the condition occurs for more than half the days each month and for three months or longer, it is considered chronic. Otherwise, it is labeled episodic. Patients suffering from frequent episodic tension headaches are at increased risk of becoming chronic sufferers.
It is difficult to distinguish a muscular tension headache from a migraine. A significant difference is that a tension-type headache is not normally associated with nausea, visual disturbances, slurred speech, numbness or weakness of one side of the body, vomiting, or abdominal pain. Physical activity also does not exacerbate the pain as it does with a migraine. Sensitivity to sound or light may occur, but it is not a common symptom.
Stress, anxiety, depression, clenching the jaw, and poor posture can trigger the pain. Common theories regarding a cause involve interference of nerve pathways to the brain exhibited as heightened sensitivity to pain. If the condition becomes disruptive to the lifestyle or requires taking medication more than two times in a week, consultation with a medical professional is recommended. Medical attention is also advisable if the pattern or feeling of the pain changes. A headache can sometimes be an indication of a serious medical problem such as an aneurysm or brain tumor.
Hyper-sensitive pain receptors in the body may result in the muscle tenderness that many patients experience. Practicing good posture can reduce pressure on muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments. Correct posture enhances and reduces stress of the entire body and permits efficient, normal movement. Chiropractors are doctors who perform adjustments to the upper bones of the neck (called the upper cervical spine) to restore proper alignment and motion. This type of care has been shown to relieve irritated nerves and joints that can contribute to this condition.
A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics discussed patients suffering from tension headaches being treated with six weeks of medication or chiropractic care. Both groups reported improvement of their headaches in terms of frequency and intensity. The patients treated with chiropractic adjustments and alignments of the spine experienced fewer side effects and noted continued relief after the conclusion of the treatment. The patients taking the medication reported that their headache pain had returned.
Though experts do not believe that muscle contractions cause this pain, sufferers often report that it feels this way. Symptoms include dull, aching pain and a feeling of pressure or tightness across the forehead or on the back and sides of the head. Shoulder muscles, the neck, and the scalp may become tender and some people lose their appetite when the pain sets in. The condition may last only 30 minutes or as long as a week.
Severity of pain is variable among patients and even from one headache to the next. Some patients report only infrequent episodes while others experience this type of headache almost constantly. If the condition occurs for more than half the days each month and for three months or longer, it is considered chronic. Otherwise, it is labeled episodic. Patients suffering from frequent episodic tension headaches are at increased risk of becoming chronic sufferers.
It is difficult to distinguish a muscular tension headache from a migraine. A significant difference is that a tension-type headache is not normally associated with nausea, visual disturbances, slurred speech, numbness or weakness of one side of the body, vomiting, or abdominal pain. Physical activity also does not exacerbate the pain as it does with a migraine. Sensitivity to sound or light may occur, but it is not a common symptom.
Stress, anxiety, depression, clenching the jaw, and poor posture can trigger the pain. Common theories regarding a cause involve interference of nerve pathways to the brain exhibited as heightened sensitivity to pain. If the condition becomes disruptive to the lifestyle or requires taking medication more than two times in a week, consultation with a medical professional is recommended. Medical attention is also advisable if the pattern or feeling of the pain changes. A headache can sometimes be an indication of a serious medical problem such as an aneurysm or brain tumor.
Hyper-sensitive pain receptors in the body may result in the muscle tenderness that many patients experience. Practicing good posture can reduce pressure on muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments. Correct posture enhances and reduces stress of the entire body and permits efficient, normal movement. Chiropractors are doctors who perform adjustments to the upper bones of the neck (called the upper cervical spine) to restore proper alignment and motion. This type of care has been shown to relieve irritated nerves and joints that can contribute to this condition.
A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics discussed patients suffering from tension headaches being treated with six weeks of medication or chiropractic care. Both groups reported improvement of their headaches in terms of frequency and intensity. The patients treated with chiropractic adjustments and alignments of the spine experienced fewer side effects and noted continued relief after the conclusion of the treatment. The patients taking the medication reported that their headache pain had returned.
About the Author:
Patricia Janis Thom is an author writing about how to be healthy. Are you looking for Pittsburgh North Hills chiropractic? Get more information about https://plus.google.com/110771190683178811895/about?hl=en.
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