| Tension headaches are the most common type | | | | doctors can make a proper diagnosis. |
| of headaches. In fact, they account for almost 90 | | | | Treatment |
| percent of headaches, afflicting nearly everyone | | | | The treatment for tension headaches can be as |
| at some point in their life. With aches and | | | | varied as the triggers that cause them. Some |
| tightness extending from the neck, the back, the | | | | people may find that over the counter |
| eyes, and muscle groups of the face, tension | | | | medications, such as aspirin, are helpful, while |
| headaches can cause pain ranging from mild to | | | | others may find that non-medication forms of |
| severe. | | | | therapy, including stress management, |
| Tension headaches can last for a half hour, or | | | | acupuncture, meditation and biofeedback is the |
| linger for several days. On average, however, | | | | more beneficial route. Those afflicted may also |
| tension headaches last between four and six | | | | find that just discovering the triggers of tension |
| hours. Typically producing bilateral pain - pain that | | | | headaches - tiredness, anger, hunger - and |
| is evenly distributed on both sides of the head - a | | | | avoiding them may prevent tension headaches |
| person with a tension headache often feels like | | | | altogether. |
| their head is under constant pressure, as if being | | | | For tension headaches that are chronic, continually |
| continually squeezed. Though these types of | | | | popping up, treatment can only be achieved with |
| headaches don't usually disrupt a person's life, if | | | | the diagnosis of the underlying cause of the |
| they are chronic, or severe, they have the | | | | headaches. These underlying causes may be |
| potential to be quite debilitating. | | | | anxiety, depression, or something else not |
| Causes and Triggers | | | | conducive to a healthy lifestyle. |
| From a scientific standpoint, the cause of tension | | | | Tension headaches are annoying, but generally |
| headaches is not entirely clear. While studies have | | | | nothing to worry about. This is ironic since the |
| led past experts to believe that tension | | | | very act of worrying is often their cause to begin |
| headaches were caused by spasms of the head | | | | with. However, headaches not caused by tension |
| and neck muscles, present experts now believe | | | | may be a symptom of something serious. |
| that there may be more than one cause. A new | | | | Therefore, it's important that someone with |
| cause they are investigating is a change in brain | | | | constant bouts of headaches visit a medical |
| chemicals. This is based on the theory that the | | | | professional and get a proper diagnosis. |
| brain may misinterpret pain signals, disrupting the | | | | About us: The Center for Osteopathic Medicine in |
| distribution of serotonin (a molecule that helps | | | | Boulder, Colorado believes in The Osteopathic |
| regulate functions of the body). Because tension | | | | Difference. In a medical industry focused on |
| headaches are relieved by certain | | | | treating symptoms, The Center is more focused |
| anti-depressants (namely Selective Serotonin | | | | on finding the cause of these symptoms. The |
| Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)), this theory is gaining | | | | Osteopathic Difference is the application of "Hands |
| ground as a valid argument. | | | | on Therapeutics" for both the diagnosis and |
| While the scientific cause of tension headaches | | | | treatment of complaints, disorders, and pain. The |
| may not be entirely clear-cut, there is solid | | | | Osteopathic Difference will apply the time proven |
| knowledge of certain triggers known to lead to | | | | osteopathic fact that function is directly related to |
| these types of headaches. The most common | | | | structure, and poor structure will lead to poor |
| triggers are emotional and physical stress. For | | | | function. |
| instance, someone who is having trouble at work | | | | While The Center tries to focus on health, and |
| or not getting enough sleep will be more prone to | | | | above all else, prevention for all those who cross |
| tension headaches than someone who is relaxed | | | | into its threshold, sometimes the best that can be |
| and at ease. Other triggers of tension headaches | | | | done is to recognize the source of the |
| include excessive exposure to bright light, eye | | | | "DIS-EASE," and to teach every individual how to |
| strain, neck strain from poor posture or an injury, | | | | manage their symptoms. Believing that it is the |
| and strain of the jaw from repetitive habits such | | | | most important aspect of any treatment regime, |
| as gum chewing, nail biting, or teeth clenching. | | | | and that it is the primary job of the health care |
| Symptoms | | | | practitioner, The Center works to empower the |
| It is important that tension headaches aren't | | | | patient in the maintenance of their own health. |
| mistaken for other types of headaches that may | | | | Achieving health is also an elusive place, and The |
| be signaling an underlying medical condition. The | | | | Center will work tirelessly to create a path to |
| textbook cases of tension headaches involve | | | | health which, when embraced by the patient over |
| consistent pain - no throbbing or pulsing - that is | | | | time, will allow the patient to enjoy a positive |
| present on both sides of the head; tightness | | | | return on their rehabilitation investment. The |
| around the forehead and feeling that the top of | | | | Center teaches a Mindfulness Yoga Program that |
| the head is being forcefully squeezed; and aching | | | | aims to educate the patient in the power of the |
| pain that is present at the temples, the back of | | | | mind to minimize, if not rid the body of, aches |
| the head, and down the neck. | | | | and pain. Although the ultimate goal of health is to |
| Tension headaches, unlike migraines, don't | | | | live without the use of drugs, natural or |
| generally get worse with exercise. They are also | | | | otherwise, The Center for Osteopathic Medicine |
| not marked by nausea, sensitivity to bright light or | | | | recognizes the importance of medicinals and their |
| loud noise, numbing, dizziness, or loss of vision. | | | | appropriate use. All styles of "Hands on |
| Though anyone can get a tension headache, they | | | | Manipulation" are practiced at The Center. By |
| are most common in people who are between | | | | combining these Manipulative techniques with |
| the ages of 30 and 39 and they are typically | | | | Structural Integration, massage, meditation and |
| linked to stressful events of life. The chances of | | | | Western Medicine, The Center for Osteopathic |
| getting a tension headache decreases with age | | | | Medicine helps people to identify disease before it |
| and with a lifestyle containing fewer trials. | | | | manifests, quiet pains that have been previously |
| Diagnosis | | | | diagnosed as Chronic, and embrace a holistic |
| The diagnosis of a tension headache is vital, it's | | | | mindset to Live in the Present- and within that |
| important than a tension headache is distinguished | | | | presence, live completely well. |
| from other types of more serious headaches. In | | | | The information discussed in this article is for |
| order to diagnose tension headaches, doctors will | | | | informational and educational purposes only. If you |
| ask the patient a series of questions specifically | | | | are experiencing symptoms of a health problem, |
| geared towards learning about their lifestyle and | | | | please visit your doctor. The material discussed on |
| the pain they are having. It's important for the | | | | this website is not meant to replace the opinion or |
| patient to be as open as possible, describing in | | | | diagnosis of a medical professional. |
| detail what symptoms they are having so that | | | | |