Winston Salem Health: Stress and Tension Headaches

Who Gets Stress And Tension Headaches?

Women are slightly more likely to be affected by tension headaches than men. Adults between 20 and 40 years of age are most affected.

The Headache Event

The headache usually occurs on both sides of the head or may be confined to specific areas of the head:

• front (frontal)
• sides (temporal)
• lower back (occipital)

They usually start gradually, taking hours or days to occur. The headache is described as aching, tightness, or a pressure. If not treated, the headache may last for several days or even up to several months or years.

What Triggers The Headache?

There are many triggers that may lead to a stress or tension headache. These factors can include such things as:

• poor posture with prolonged bending of the neck
• depression
• fatigue
• emotional distress.

Also an injury that causes the bones of the neck, back, and shoulders to be out of alignment may cause undue stress or tension on the neck and back muscles. This could result in headaches. A thorough medical and physical exam should help determine if this is the trigger for the headaches.

Therapies for Stress and Tension

Since many of these headaches are caused by tight muscles or muscle spasms along the base of the skull and along the top of the shoulders, therapies that help relax the tensed muscles may be very useful (such as massage). Chiropractic therapy may be helpful if the headache is due to the bones and muscles being out of alignment.

Medications will provide only temporary relief and are generally not the best long-term therapy for stress and tension headaches. Some of the most effective therapies for these headaches involve some type of behavior modification. Aerobic exercise, such as running, brisk walking, bicycling, or swimming may be helpful. Exercising for 20 to 30 minutes 3 times a week has been found to prevent headaches by reducing stress and producing endorphins. (These are the body’s natural pain relievers.) Additional activities useful in reducing stress include biofeedback, yoga, meditation, visualization, guided imagery, and hypnosis.

What Do You Do?

If you suffer from stress or tension headaches, it is time to take a good look at your life. Try to determine the triggers that lead to your headaches. Once you know the triggers, then you can try to find a therapy or therapies that fit into your lifestyle and are most likely to help prevent your headaches. Check with your health care provider if your headaches are persistent or other symptoms are present.