Tag Archive for: Tension Headaches

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Treatments for a Tension Headache

“The International Headache Society (IHS 2013) has validated cervicogenic headache as a secondary headache, which means headache caused by a disorder of the cervical spine and its component bony, disc and/or soft tissue elements, usually but not invariably accompanied by neck pain”.

Many of us suffer from headaches on a regular basis. Instead of taking a pain relief medication, why not try a chiropractic, physiotherapy, massage therapy or acupuncture treatment.

Stiff joints in the upper neck are the primary cause of cervicogenic headaches.  If a joint, surrounding muscles are injured or irritated, the joints can become stiff and cause pain to be referred into areas of the head.

Here is a list of symptoms that are generally associated with this tension headaches:

  • Constant and dull ache
  • Stiffness or restricted movement of the neck
  • Pain radiating from back to the front of the head
  • Headache worsened by sustained postures or certain neck movements
  • Dizziness

Chiropractors and Physiotherapists are skilled at correcting muscular imbalances, which can contribute to the development of cervicogenic headaches.

Acupuncture is also effective for all types of headaches. “The available evidence suggests that a course of acupuncture consisting of at least six treatment sessions can be a valuable option for people with frequent tension-type headache”.

Tension headaches can be effectively treated with massage therapy. Massage therapy promotes circulation, decreases pain from Trigger Points, and helps to relieve muscle spasms. Massage therapy has also shown to decrease levels of the stress hormone Cortisol, while increasing endorphins.

Some of the methods and modalities used at Diversified Health include:

  • Joint mobilization (flexibility of muscles) this includes stretching; manipulations techniques to restore full range of motion without pain:
  • Tens: (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation). A TENS machine works by sending electrical pulses across the surface of the skin and along the nerve strands.  Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation sends a painless electrical current to specific nerves. The mild electrical current generates heat to relieve stiffness, improve mobility, and relieve pain.
  • IMS/Dry Needling:  dry needling, also referred to as intramuscular stimulation (IMS) and/or intramuscular therapy (IMT) is a procedure in which an acupuncture needle is inserted into the skin and muscle.  Dry needling is primarily directed at myofascial trigger points. Shortened muscles often have “trigger points” that can contribute to referred pain, relaxation or release of these tightened areas can help improve neck muscle function
  • Shockwave therapy: Shockwave Therapy is a non-surgical treatment of soft tissue, bone, and joint pain.  Shockwave treatments send high-energy mechanical pulses to an injured area. These high-energy mechanical pulses stimulate the breakdown of scar tissue, improves blood circulation, and decreases inflammation; which helps speed up healing and recovery times.
  • Spinal Decompression: Spinal decompression provides relief to severe back and neck pain sufferers by gently reducing the pressure within spinal discs.
  • Class IV K-Laser: Class IV K-Laser therapy is based on the concept of photobiostimulation; when photonic energy (the laser) is focused on soft  tissue, ATP production can be boosted. ATP is the substance responsible for cellular energy production.
  • eToims/Needless IMS: eToims, is a non-invasive treatment for pain and inflammation in the body’s soft and connective tissues.
  • Graston technique: The Graston Technique is an instrument-assisted, soft tissue mobilization therapy.  The Graston Technique safely removes scar tissues and scar tissue adhesions that have occurred as a result of chronic inflammation, injuries, repetitive motion or from old injuries of the past.

Please contact our health care practitioners to discuss which type of treatment would be beneficial to your health issues.

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Headache Treatments That Don’t Include Medication

headacheMillions of Canadians suffer from headaches ranging from mild to debilitating.  But, what if you don’t want to reach for medication for your symptoms.  The next time you feel a headache coming on, here are some non medical approaches you can consider.

Acupuncture

The belief in acupuncture is that all headaches begin when the natural flow of chi is disrupted, and acupuncture can restore this energy flow by releasing  pain-reducing chemicals, such as endorphins.

Massage

For temporary relief,  get a neck, back, head, or shoulder massage. Holding tension in your muscles is a common cause of headaches and migraines.

Stretching

Headache-relieving stretches can help to relieve muscle tension which contributes to pain. Hold each stretch for five seconds, and repeat several times.

  • Range of motion for the neck (chin forward, upward, and toward each shoulder)
  • Shoulder shrugs (shrug up, up and forward, and up and back)
  • Neck isometrics (press palm into forehead and hold; press hand on each side of the head)

Yoga

The relaxation exercises found in yoga combine physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation to boost relaxation and balance the mind, body, and spirit.

Lavender Oil

Lavender oil can be either inhaled or applied topically.  Placing one drop of lavender oil to every 236 milliliters of boiling water, and then inhaling the vapors, can help you to relax tense muscles.  Lavender oil can be applied externally without diluting it; such as on a pillow or your temples. Lavender oil can help you relax.

Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil has shown to be beneficial in relieving tension headaches. Peppermint oil has vaso-constricting and vaso-dilating properties, which can help improve and promote blood flow in the body.

Diet

Making changes to your diet and keeping track of those foods that trigger a headache or migraine can be useful for reducing the frequency of your headaches. Certain foods can effect the frequency and severity of headaches, including dairy; chocolate; citrus fruits; red wine, nitrates found in  products such as bacon,and foods containing  monosodium glutamate / MSG.

You can also try:

Apply an ice pack – Try placing it on your forehead, temples or the back of your neck.

Lie quietly in a low-lit room.

Improve your coping skills when it comes to dealing with stress. Chronic stress is one of the leading causes of headaches.

Deep breathing can help you unwind  – lie still while breathing in and out slowly, and be conscious of relaxing various muscle groups, working from your head to your toes.

If you suffer from frequent headaches, please contact your  doctor or health care practitioner.

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What’s the Difference Between a Headache and a Migraine?

What is the Difference Between a Headache and a Migraine?Tension headaches and migraines are both considered types of headaches; with tension headaches being the most common.

The most frequent reason for a tension head ache is muscle tension and is generally associated  with postural problems. Tension headaches tend to be caused by stress, exhaustion, noise and eye strain. Tension headaches are frequently linked to disk problems or degenrative bone disease within the neck or spinal column.

A migraine headache or vascular headache is known by a throbbing or pulsating pain.  Migraine headaches are often incapacitating and are associated with nausea or vomiting, disrupted sleep, pain in the neck and head area, sensitivity to light, sound and certain odors. Certain foods, like aged cheese and red wine, can trigger headaches and migraines, so take a look at what you are eating.  An easy way to track potential trigger foods is to start a food journal.

Your headache may be a migraine if you have a combination of these symptoms:

  • Moderate to severe pain
  • Sensitivity to light, noise or odors
  • Blurred vision
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Loss of appetite
  • Sensations of being very warm or cold
  • Fatigue or Dizziness
  • flashing dots or lights

If you think your  headache might be a migraine, please see a health care practitioner for your treatment options. You want to make sure that you have your neck and upper and lower back checked by your health care practitioner to rule out any structural causes caused by tightened muscles in the the neck and back regions.

Sometimes headaches can signal a more serious problem. You should talk to your health care practitioner about your headaches if…

  • You have several headaches per month
  • You have nausea, vomiting, vision, or suffer from numbness or tingling
  • You have a severe headache with a stiff neck or pain around the eye or ear
  • You have a headache with confusion, loss of alertness or loss of speech
  • You have a headache after a blow to the head
  • You used to be headache-free, but now experience frequent headaches

 “Although the exact cause of migraine headaches isn’t completely understood, medical researchers believe that migraine headaches are caused by altered blood flow and abnormal levels of naturally produced substances in the brain. When blood flow is decreased, certain arteries dilate and cause pain producing chemicals to be released. Additionally, the dilation causes an increase in the natural substance levels. This makes the blood vessels lining the brain swell and creates pressure on nearby nerves.  These nerves send pain signals to the body that are typically felt around the eye or temple region and can extend to the face, sinus, jaw, or neck.“

A health care practitioner can determine if your headache is a migraine, and can prescribe the best treatment option – Chiropractic, Acupuncture or Physiotherapy for your unique symptoms.

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