Tension headache
What is tension headache?
Tension-type headaches (TTHs) are the most common type of headache. Often the cause can be due to tense muscles in the neck and/or jaws. Studies have shown that tension headaches can also occur without muscle involvement in the neck and jaws. There currently does not seem to be any concrete conclusions about what is behind this.
There can be several underlying causes of tension headaches. Periods of psychological stress, such as stress, anxiety, fatigue, prolonged activity that requires high focus, can trigger tension headaches. It is common for these patients to have had problems with sleep and feel that this is a contributing factor to the onset of headaches.
Poor posture leads to increased tension in the neck muscles. A head weighs 4-5 kg. If the head does not rest centered on top of the neck, but slightly in front, the neck muscles have to work harder to hold the head up. As the neck muscles become increasingly overworked, the risk of tension headaches increases.
Sitting at a computer most of the day increases the risk of tension headaches. The body is made for movement. Sitting still for many hours a day places great demands on ergonomics in the workplace. A screen that is too high or too low, a desk that is too high or too low, and poor vision for screen work can all, and together, cause tension headaches. Even if you have optimal ergonomics at work, sitting still can trigger these problems. Women are affected more often than men.
Symptoms of tension headaches
The headache is usually described as dull, pressing, and sometimes like a band around the head. Common areas are the forehead, temples, and/or behind the eyes. Both sides are usually affected at the same time. The intensity is described as mild to moderate. If the pain is stabbing or cutting in nature, it is probably not a tension headache. It is common for the pain to begin or worsen during the day. Light physical activity can relieve symptoms.
Treatment for tension headaches
When we meet the patient, we ask about their stress and sleep situation. We give ergonomic tips and sometimes recommend that an ergonomist review the design of the workplace. In our clinical examination, posture, movement patterns and muscular involvement are reviewed.
A common approach for these patients is manual treatment of, among other things, the neck/shoulders. This is done in combination with exercise rehabilitation and possible posture correction tips. The patient is tasked with trying to overcome any findings regarding stress or ergonomics.
Forecast
If we can pinpoint the underlying cause of the tension headache, the likelihood of success with the treatment increases. Manual treatment provides a boost towards improvement, but without a holistic approach, the improvement will not be sustained. We will notice after a couple of treatments whether the purely manual aspect of the treatment is working or not.
