| The tension headache is what most people refer | | | | chronic tension headache. Headaches may be |
| to when they say they have a headache. It is the | | | | caused by medication, medical conditions such as |
| most common headache experienced. Some | | | | depression, allergies (especially food allergies), bad |
| people actually have chronic tension headaches, | | | | posture, stress, lack of sleep, lack of or too much |
| which means the tension headaches occur often. | | | | caffeine, change of routine, lack of sleep, dieting, |
| The tension headache is usually mild or moderate | | | | lack of exercise, hormones and even overuse of |
| but can be severe. The pain of a tension | | | | pain medication to treat these headaches. |
| headache is not localized and occurs over a wide | | | | According to doctors of chiropractic medicine, |
| part or all of the head. | | | | tension headaches are caused by muscle |
| The tension headache can be episodic or chronic. | | | | inflammation and trigger points, joint irritation, |
| Episodic tension headaches occur for a few hours | | | | nerve compression, and misalignment of the spine. |
| at certain times such as under very stressful | | | | Studies have shown that the frequency, duration |
| conditions, at work near the end of the day, or | | | | and severity of the tension headache can be |
| when being subjected to Hannah Montana TV | | | | decreased by receiving chiropractic treatments. |
| show marathons. If the condition that causes the | | | | Many patients have initially gone to a chiropractor |
| headache cannot be changed, such as skipping | | | | for another reason such as back pain, and were |
| work, then you need to manage the condition to | | | | pleasantly surprised to find that their tension |
| lessen the severity or length of the headache. If | | | | headaches were reduced or completely eliminated |
| they occur only while at work, then check the | | | | as well. |
| ergonomics of your desk and take breaks to | | | | Keeping in good physical shape by exercising and |
| walk around at least once an hour. | | | | stretching daily will help control and prevent a |
| Tension headaches are termed chronic when they | | | | tension headache. Stretching disciplines such as |
| occur more than fifteen times a month, for at | | | | yoga and tai chi will loosen up tight muscles that |
| least three months. The chronic tension headache | | | | can cause tension headaches. Getting regular |
| can even be continuous with no beginning or | | | | massages will also help loosen tight muscles and |
| ending during the day. Some people may not | | | | keep them loose which will also prevent a tension |
| even realize they have a chronic headache | | | | headache. If stress is a suspected cause then |
| because they have become accustomed to the | | | | keeping a daily journal especially right before |
| chronic daily pain. | | | | bedtime will help reduce stress. |
| It can be quite difficult to find the cause of a | | | | |