Headaches are a complaint that is unfortunately common. Consequently, many people are not worried when they have a headache: the pain is usually temporary and no cause for concern. Yet there are some people for whom headaches are a major hindrance in their daily lives. It may then be helpful to seek help from a specialist. Consequently, in 2019, in the Netherlands more than 325,000 people went to their family doctor with headache complaints.
A common type of headache is tension headache. Many people do not know what to recognize tension headaches from, where they come from and what they can do about them. In this article, we would like to explain what the chiropractor can do for tension headaches.
What is tension headache?
Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. The pain is often oppressive and is usually located on both sides of the head. It also happens that the pain is only on one side of the head. In tension headaches, the muscles in the neck and upper back are often very tense. This tension often radiates to the head and can contribute to headaches.
Tension headaches sometimes last only a few minutes but can also last for days. Although the pain itself is not so severe that it interferes with daily activities, tension headaches can be very annoying. This is partly due to its unpredictability: unlike some other headaches, it is difficult to estimate when the tension headache will arise.
Where do tension headaches come from?
It is a misconception that tension headaches are always caused by tension, contrary to what the name suggests. It is thought that the pain is more likely to come from a combination of factors. These include genetic factors, hormonal fluctuations, fatigue and stress.
As briefly mentioned earlier, the muscles in the neck often play a major role in tension headaches. When you make the wrong movement or have the wrong posture, these muscles can become overloaded. This radiates to the head, causing you to experience headaches.
The chiropractor’s procedure for tension headaches
Treating tension headaches is tricky. Many people take painkillers, but this is harmful in the long run and only suppresses pain. And because headaches are so common, determining that they are tension headaches is already complicated. If you suspect you are suffering from tension headaches, a chiropractor may be able to help.
The chiropractor will first assess how severe the symptoms are and how often you suffer from them. This is followed by a physical examination, in which the entire body is examined. This is because the chiropractic view assumes an overall balance in the body is disturbed when you experience symptoms.
The chiropractor examines what is triggering the headache and applies pressure techniques to bring the body back into balance. When the muscles in the neck are less tense, tension headaches will gradually decrease. In addition, the chiropractor can offer advice on posture, exercise, sports and nutrition. This can also help reduce pain symptoms.
Chiropractic at TOPCHIRO
TOPCHIRO chiropractic practice employs highly experienced chiropractors. Our practice is unique in the personally focused care we provide. Each care pathway begins with scans and examinations, the results of which are used to create a unique care plan for you. This care plan consists of several phases;
- an intensive phase, in which intensive work is done to restore balance
- a stabilization phase, in which the balance is stabilized and the symptoms also stabilize
- a maintenance phase, in which regular care ensures that symptoms stay away
Are you curious about what TOPCHIRO can do for you, would you like to know more or would you like to make an appointment? Book an appointment through our website or call to contact us! We are happy to help you reduce your tension headaches.
