Tension Headaches

What is a Tension Headache?

The WHO and the Global Burden of Disease study¹ ranked Tension-Type Headache (TTH) as the second most prevalent disorder in the world behind dental caries.

The International Headache Society reports that TTH is the most common type of primary headache with up to 70% of the population being affected during their lifetime².

Tension Headaches are normally described as constant pressure, tightness or squeezing pain and is frequently located on both sides or all over the head, although occasionally, like migraine it can be one-sided.

Unlike migraine, TTH is not characterized by pulsating, nausea or vomiting but can occasionally cause some light or sound sensitivity.  Other symptoms can include tenderness of scalp, neck and shoulder muscles, restricted neck range of motion or trouble concentrating and difficulty sleeping.

Normally TTH is mild to moderate in intensity and can last from 30 minutes to 7 days.  In some patients however, TTH occurs on several days every month or even daily.  Studies show a staggering 37% of headache sufferers report daily headache³.  Those suffering from these headaches on more than 15 days in a month are categorised as having chronic TTH².

What causes Tension Headaches?

Those suffering from Tension-Type Headache (TTH) often report that their headaches are triggered by ‘’stress’’ or ‘’tension in the neck and shoulders’’.  Other triggers commonly include prolonged or poor posture at the computer, driving or sedentary tasks, neck dysfunction, medication overuse and fatigue.  Often a massage, warm shower, exercise or pain medications can alleviate the pain for it to only return at a later time or the next day.

Interestingly, studies into TTH using muscle EMG have shown that increased muscle tension in the head, face and scalp may be a symptom and not a cause of TTH⁴.  In fact, just like in migraine sufferers, the latest research now suggests a common underlying cause; that is abnormal brainstem processing, sensitivity and amplification in those suffering with TTH⁵. In other words, hypersensitivity in the central nervous system (at the region of the brainstem “headache headquarters”) is the neurological disorder that renders a person prone to a TTH attack from even just usual everyday stimuli like neck tension or stress (for example).

The Solution

The good news is this brainstem sensitivity can be treated with an integrated and combined therapy approach, with a critical step being expert screening of the upper neck as a primary contributor of sensitivity in the brainstem^3,4.

Our unique combined therapy approach is logical and evidence-based and aimed at decreasing the sensitivity in the brainstem at the “headache headquarters” with a number of safe treatment options individualized to your headache type.

Click the links for more information on how we perform Our Assessment or Our Treatment or to learn more about our revolutionary 4 phase  S.T.E.P. into FREEDOM ^TM  program to help you live life headache free!