While tension headaches are the most prevalent of all headaches, their exact cause is not known. Approximately 9 in every 10 Americans have suffered through a tension headache before. These headaches typically present themselves as a moderate pain that produces a tightening sensation across the forehead.

Commonly referred to as “stress headaches,” tension headache symptoms steadily increase in severity throughout any one episode. The overall pain associated with a tension headache can be either weak or severe while lasting anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Moreover, tension headaches can be either episodic or chronic in nature. In most cases, the chronic version of tension headaches causes a pulsing pain that is more painful than an episodic tension headache. Fortunately, chronic tension headaches are rare, affecting less than 5% of the population.

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Tension Headache Symptoms

The features of a tension headache are diverse and usually different between individuals and even from episode to episode but common symptoms include:

• Increased sensitivity to noise or bright light
• Body soreness
• Throbbing head pain

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Tension Headache Causes

Nobody knows the exact source of tension headaches but a common thread among individuals affected is stress. Some scientists believe another risk factor is a chemical imbalance in the brain which leads to an increased susceptibility to headaches.

A few factors that may provoke the onset of a tension headache include:

• Poor sleeping habits
• Restlessness
• Poor nutrition
• Stress

It is believed that chronic tension headaches are a result of recurring stress, such as dealing with the passing of a loved one or having a financial hardship.

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Treating Tension Headaches with Drugs

Most individuals first turn to OTC medication when attempting to treat their tension headache. However, in cases where OTC medication is not able to provide sufficient relief, a physician may prescribe stronger medications. In fact, some physicians may even experiment with unconventional drugs such as blood thinners or anticonvulsants to prevent tension headaches completely.

Regrettably, using these drugs regularly (over-the-counter and prescription) typically results in reduced potency due to the body becoming used to filtering them from its system. This can sometimes lead to an individual taking increased doses to achieve the same effects, eventually leading to liver or kidney damage.

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Tension Headache Relief

There are methods available to avoid drugs for the alleviation of tension headache symptoms. These approaches rely for the most part on changing parts of an individual’s lifestyle and forming positive habits. These practices include:

• Localized temperature therapy
• Improving sleeping patterns
• Meditation techniques
• Quitting tobacco use
• Improving diet
• Counseling
• Exercise

There are also alternative therapies for tension headache relief, these include

• Oriental Medicine
• Muscle Kneading
• Chiropractic Care

The most successful of the three is chiropractic care, found to be effective in curing headaches for countless individuals.

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Treating Tension Headaches with Chiropractic Care

Headaches have always been one of the most common reasons why people go see a chiropractor. This is because chiropractic has proven itself to be effective in solving the problem at the source. Chiropractors are not interested in a temporary solution, they are interested in healing you. The science is clear - regular chiropractic care prevents and treats every kind of headache.

Chiropractors will never give you a pill to stop your headaches. Instead, they will rely on their expertise to adjust your spinal column. When your spine is aligned, your body is able to better facilitate healing. This occurs due to roadblocks being removed from your nervous system.

A misalignment of any degree is enough to throw your body out of balance, this leads to a breakdown in communication between your nervous system and your brain. The chronic headaches are simply your body letting you know it is under pressure and needs help. Luckily, chiropractors are able to solve the problem through safe, natural adjustments to your spine.

If you think that chiropractic care is a good treatment option for your chronic headaches, contact one of our Top Rated Chiropractors today. Relief from your pain is possible, so start your journey to relief today!