Tension Headaches and Stress – Enjoy a Pain-Free Life by Visiting Your Chiropractor Lawrenceville GA Regularly

Life can be full of stress and sometimes headaches can be a result of these stress. Stress headaches are often referred to as tension headaches. This type of headache is very common, affecting up to 78% of the general population. Unfortunately, they are among the most neglected and challenging problems which can best be dealt with, not by pain killers but by natural and holistic treatment from your chiropractor Lawrenceville GA. Along with back pain and neck pain, headaches are one of the most common reasons for chiropractic visits. This is because chiropractic care has been successful in dealing with headaches and providing permanent headache relief.

What is a tension headache?

A tension headache is a type of headache that characterizes bilateral pain, which often starts at the back of your head and spread forward. It occurs when neck and scalp muscles become tense, or contract in response to stress, depression, head injury, or anxiety. The pain is usually described as a feeling of heaviness, pressure or tightness.

Tension headaches start gradually and increase in intensity. They can be mild or severe, last for hours or days and may be classified as episodic or chronic. If your headache occurs 15 or more days in a month for several months, it is considered chronic, while if it occurs less frequently, it is considered episodic.

What causes tension headaches?

Tension headaches are caused by muscular tension and contraction involving the muscles of the shoulders, neck and head. The tension is more likely to be a result of emotional stress, though injuries can also become a factor of muscle contractions. When you are threatened, irritated or angry, normally your muscles contract as a reaction known as the flight or flight response. Although, if work or home life creates a constant source of stress which you cannot counter, the muscular tension can become chronic which can lead to uneven stresses on the skeletal structure of the body, and changes in normal posture and movement to compensate. Headaches can be the result of these misalignments.

Physical stress can also play a role in causing tension headaches. Tension headaches may be a sign that you may be doing something in your daily life that causes stress to your body such as not eating enough, dehydration, poor posture, or eyestrain. Other activities that can cause tension headaches include prolonged manual labor or staying in one position for a long period of time such as sitting at a desk or computer, reading, or playing video games. Staying long in a cold place or sleeping in an improper position can also be some of the triggers. However, physical activities do not usually worsen the pain.

Tension headaches may be painful, but they are not associated with structural changes in the brain and they are rarely a sign of more serious illness.

What is the right treatment for tension headaches?

Most people rely on pain killers to ease their headache. However, pain killers do not treat the underlying cause of headaches but rather mask the pain. And too much use of them may even cause complications such as rebound headaches which are headaches that keep coming back. What really helps to get rid of your tension headache is to consider lifestyle changes, relaxation, and going to your Lawrenceville chiropractor.

A natural and holistic approach like chiropractic provides more benefits than taking prescription medications. It does not only help eliminate the pain but also improves overall health. It has been proven to be highly effective in treating headaches as well as other problems such as back pain and neck pain.

If combined with other therapies such as trigger point therapy and massage, chiropractic adjustments becomes more effective in loosing tight muscles and correcting misalignments. Patients with chronic headaches often get relief with just few chiropractic visits.

What do research studies say?

Several clinical trials suggest that spinal manipulation therapy may help in the treatment of tension headaches, especially ones that start in the neck. One study showed that spinal manipulation is as effective as Elavil but the benefits of spinal manipulation lasted longer and has less side effects compared to Elavil. Another study showed that a 10 minute spinal manipulation session resulted in 50% reduction in the severity of headaches.

Should I continue to visit my chiropractor even after my headache is gone?

Even if your headache is gone, continuing to visit Lawrenceville chiropractic clinic to receive adjustments helps a lot to maintain an efficient body function. Having regular exercise, healthy diet, and regular chiropractic visit will keep you healthy and have an active lifestyle.