Tension Headaches

At some point in life, everyone experiences a headache, whether it’s due to stress, lack of sleep, hormones, or even self-induced after having too much fun the night before. While headaches are usually not indicative of a dangerous underlying condition, they can be (a topic for a future article). This article focuses on the most common form of headache: the tension-type headache.

Tension-type headaches (TTHA) are defined by the Mayo Clinic as a diffuse, mild to moderate pain that’s often described as feeling like a tight band around your head. Although this is the most common form of headache, the causes of TTHA are not well understood. Some experts no longer think muscle contractions are the cause and instead feel that “mixed signals” coming from nerve pathways to the brain are to blame and may be the result of “overactive pain receptors.”

Regardless of the cause, the triggers of tension headaches are well known and include stress, depression/anxiety, poor posture, faulty/awkward work station set-ups, jaw clenching, and many others. Risk factors for TTHA include being a woman (studies show that almost 90% of women experience tension headaches at some point in life) and being middle-aged (TTHAs appear to peak in our 40s, though they are not limited to any one age group). Complications associated with TTHAs may include job productivity loss, family and social interaction disruption, and relationship strain. The diagnosis is typically made by excluding other dangerous causes of headaches, and when all the test results return “normal,” the diagnosis of TTHA is made.

If you’re experiencing tension headaches, we at Morgan Chiropractic can help. Our chiropractic solutions can help you recover from an injury, treat aches and pains, and get closer to your wellness goals. We offer spinal adjustment therapies and techniques, stretching and strengthening exercises, and more. To schedule a consultation and appointment, please call us at (772) 221-8969 or visit our website morganchiropracticfl.com.