Tension Headache
By: Dr. Derek Vinge
The steady pounding of your head, feeling like a thousand pounds squeezing the life out of you. A tension headache is something that almost everyone has endured. Up to 78% of people suffer from these types of headaches and they are the most neglected.For millions of Canadians there is a way to reduce the discomfort and pain.
With a tension headache, the pain often starts at the back of your head and moves forward, so that it eventually includes your neck, scalp and head. It’s often described as feeling like you have a tight band across your head. It may be caused by staying in one position for a long time, such as in reading, using a computer or playing video games. It may also be caused by stress, but sometimes there is no obvious cause.
If your headaches happen 15 or more days in a month for several months, they are considered tension headaches. If they occur less frequently, they are called episodic tension headaches. Although tension headaches can be painful, they are rarely a sign of a more serious illness. A combination of lifestyle changes, relaxation techniques and chiropractic therapy can help reduce the number of tension headaches you have.