Tension Headaches and Chiropractic

Tension headaches are the most common type of primary headache and affect as many as 90% of adults. Tension headaches typically feel like a tightening on both sides of the head, as if a rubber band in tightening around your skull.  They can last for minutes or even days, and can happen frequently. Tension headaches are often the result of stress or bad posture, which causes tightening of the muscles in the neck and the scalp.

While tension headaches are the most frequently occurring type of headache, their cause is not known. The most likely cause is contraction of the muscles that cover the skull.  Increased contraction of these muscles may be due to interference along your nervous system or loss of motion through your spinal column. 

When you think of how the spinal column works, the nerves stemming from your spine carry information from your brain to the rest of your body. Any interference along the spine prevents the nerves from functioning normally causing muscle tension, pain, headaches, and other symptoms.  Keeping the spinal column in alignment can help to relax your muscles and eliminate pain.

There is little research to confirm the exact cause of tension headaches. They most likely occur because of physical or emotional stress placed on the body. That being said wouldn't it be wise to eliminate all possibilities with chiropractic care?

Physical stress may cause tension headaches, like sitting at a desk or computer for long periods of time, traveling on a plane or car long distances

Emotional stress may also cause tension headaches by causing the muscles surrounding the skull to contract.

Regular spinal maintenance through chiropractic adjustments and postural exercises can help to eliminate and prevent headaches naturally and effectively. 

Find out how Aligned Modern Health can help.

Call 773-248-2544 to schedule an appointment.