Neuromuscular Headache Blog - I Hate Headaches

Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. It has long been a popularly held belief that tension headaches were solely caused by conditions such as stress or fatigue. But as the science of headache treatment has evolved, many doctors now understand that there are a myriad of triggers for tension headaches.

Along with stress and fatigue, some of the most commonly recognized causes of tension headaches are poor posture, jaw misalignment (TMJ/TMD), depression, brain chemistry imbalances, and disturbances in one's sleep cycle, such as sleep apnea or Bruxism (teeth grinding).

Tension headaches can be episodic (occurring less than 15 days a month) or chronic (occurring 15 or more days a month) and can last anywhere from 30 minutes to several days in a row. Most people who suffer from tension headaches commonly describe the feeling of having a tight band wrapped around their head. Tension headache pain is described as a dull, aching sensation and may also be accompanied by areas of tenderness around the face, neck and shoulders, and in some cases, a noticeable loss of appetite.

There are several options for treating tension headaches, including but not limited to relaxation and stretching techniques, medication and neuromuscular dentistry. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle will also go a long way toward helping you effectively manage your tension headache symptoms.

If you live in Alabama, Nebraska, California, Illinois, Texas, Utah or Northern Virginia, and would like to meet with one of our headache specialists regarding your headache symptoms, please contact us at I Hate Headaches, today.