Tension Headache Causes and Symptoms
Headaches are one of the most common reasons for a person to visit a chiropractic office. Tension headaches are very common and almost everyone will suffer from one at some point in their lives. Some people struggle with headaches often and will get them on a daily basis and struggle. Other people may only get them once a year or less. A tension headache often will start in the neck and travel up to the head and cause a pressure-like feeling in the head. Often the symptoms will get worse as the day goes on. Frequent computer or mobile device use may play a role in headaches, but anybody can be affected by tension headaches. Causes can include poor posture, trauma, stress, poor diet, jaw clenching and vertebral subluxations in the neck or upper back. If someone frequently has neck, upper back, or shoulder pain that is accompanied by a headache, chiropractic care may be able to help.
How Can a Chiropractor Help Tension Headaches?
At your visit a chiropractor will discuss your history and lifestyle to determine if there are any triggers for your headaches. Then, they will evaluate your posture and perform a chiropractic exam to determine if chiropractic care may be able to help. If misalignment, or subluxation, is found your chiropractor will typically perform a spinal adjustment. This may help to improve spinal function and to help loosen tight muscles. Stretching, massage, postural exercises, and core exercises may also be used by your chiropractor. Finally, recommendations about future visits, postural changes and lifestyle changes may be discussed. The number of visits recommended by your chiropractor will vary based on your history and examination findings. Many of our patients report fewer tension headaches with less severity of symptoms when under chiropractic care.