What is a Tension Headache?
These headaches are very common and associated with muscle tension in the neck and scalp. These are the most common headaches experienced and they are felt as a dull ache on one or both sides of the head. These headaches may begin gradually and then last for hours or even days. They may be caused by stress or bad posture that is putting pressure on the upper back and neck. Unlike migraines, these types of headaches are not usually associated with nausea or vomiting.
Chiropractic care is the practice of aligning the spine and vertebrae. If you are experiencing neck and back pain, your first step should be to schedule a visit to come see me at my chiropractic office. This pain may be due to misalignment that can be corrected through manually adjusting the back.
Obviously one of the reasons for a tension headache is stress. I presented stress workshops for over 25 years and have a detailed knowledge of how to help you deal with your stress naturally. By reducing how you perceive the stress in your life, you can reduce the frequency and severity of tension headaches.
There are numerous research studies linking tension headaches and chiropractors. Chiropractic adjustments can be extremely effective at treating tension headaches, especially if they originate in the neck region. Duke University performed a study in 2001, which concluded that “spinal manipulation resulted in almost immediate improvement for those headaches that originate in the neck, and had significantly fewer side effects and longer-lasting relief of tension-type headaches than commonly prescribed medications.” Even better was those that stopped receiving chiropractic treatment for up to a month, still saw the benefits and sustained the benefits of the treatment.
See A Chiropractor Specializing in Tension Headaches
I’ve specialized in treating tension headaches for the past 34 years. If you suffer with tension headaches, I recommend that you schedule a consultation with me in my Bristol, CT office to determine the origin of your discomfort. I will ask several different questions to determine the extent of your spinal discomfort and pattern of headaches. I will utilize all the techniques I have available, including an MRI or x-rays, to find the best course of action.
The stress and discomfort can also be due to muscle tension. Our office utilizes a natural remedy product called Relax Already by Stone Age Wellness, which combines lemon balm, cramp bark, valerian root, chamomile flower, and passion flower. This natural product can relieve muscle tension, stress, and anxiety. We also use Cryoderm, which is a natural pain relieving gel that reduces muscle and joint pain. It utilizes peppermint oil, boswella, eucalyptus, ilex, menthol, MSM, and arnica. We use CryoDerm in our office as a natural analgesic.
Tension headaches can be very difficult to deal with, especially if they are chronic. Realizing that the root of the problem may lie in the root of your body is key in getting some relief. Chiropractic care can be the answer to your prayers. Come by and check out our chiropractic office and let me provide a consultation that can truly alter the quality of your life. Tension headaches don’t have to be a chronic part of your life.
Dr David M. Spitz is the founder and clinic director of the Chiropractic Health Center of Bristol, located in Bristol, CT. Since 1982, he has treated thousands of patients for various conditions ranging from neck and back pain, to migraine headaches. He specializes in treating patients who have suffered whiplash injuries and/or back injuries in a motor vehicle accident.
Dr Spitz was a volunteer EMT-I and a lieutenant for several years at the Burlington Volunteer Fire Department. He has lectured throughout CT on various topics including, chiropractic, stress management, headaches and preventing back injury in the workplace.
