Tension Headache

Everyone experiences it at some point: headaches. There are many causes for many different types of headaches, including tension headache, migraine, facial pain and headache as a result of whiplash. Tension headache is the most common form of headache. Neurological chiropractic treatment can resolve or reduce many headache complaints.

Symptoms

Tension headache is a pressing pain that can often be felt as a band around the head. The pain is felt on both sides of the head, but can also occur on one side. The pain usually originates from the neck. Complaints can be present throughout the day or build up gradually during the day. Sometimes the headache persists for days. Tension headache is often chronic and can occur periodically or irregularly. Tension headache can also originate from the jaw joint, in which case the pain is usually felt on one side of the head.

Causes

The pain usually originates from the neck and is often related to incorrect movement of the vertebrae in the back and neck. This puts more strain on the muscles and can irritate surrounding nerves, resulting in headache. Tension headache is also associated with stress and fatigue.

Treatment

The chiropractor will first ask you about your headaches and your general health, as headaches can be related to other health complaints. A thorough physical examination then follows. The chiropractor uses various medical methods to determine the source of the pain and assess the mobility of the joints that may be involved.

After the consultation and examination, it may be concluded that your complaint cannot be treated by a chiropractor and requires further investigation. The chiropractor may advise you to contact your GP or undergo further diagnostic testing.

Depending on your complaint, the chiropractor can begin treatment. With the help of pressure techniques on the vertebrae, muscles and nerves can function better again. The pressure techniques improve mobility, relax the muscles and allow surrounding nerves to resume their functions, so that pain and other complaints can decrease or disappear. Your chiropractor will let you know how things stand.

In addition to treatment, the chiropractor can advise you on posture, ergonomics, exercise and nutrition. Movement is beneficial both for prevention and recovery. Incorrect movement can worsen complaints, so it is important to seek guidance. Developing strong back and neck muscles is crucial — it spares your spine and reduces the chance of recurrence.