What is a Tension Headache?
A tension headache is a common ailment, one that affects an estimated 45 million Americans every year. While a tension headache can be similar to a regular headache, the pain is typically focused on one point in the head and is usually more severe. A tension headache is often described as feeling like a tightening band around the head or behind the eyes.
Tension Headache Signs and Symptoms
Lasting anywhere from several hours to weeks on end, tension headaches can be a debilitating condition. Thankfully, tension headaches tend to be less severe than migraines, meaning you won’t experience nausea or vomiting. The pain of a tension headache is also more likely to be a dull ache rather than a throbbing pain. Some tension headaches may be accompanied by a tenderness in the scalp, neck, and/or shoulders.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Tension Headaches
Tension headaches can be brought upon by a wide array of factors, including poor posture, prolonged concentration, or chronic stress. One of the lesser known triggers for tension headaches is subluxations to the upper cervical spine. A subluxation indicates a vertebral misalignment in the upper cervical.
A misalignment in the upper cervical spine can lead to a whole host of secondary issues. Not only will it cause swelling and/or pressure build-up near the brain stem, but it can also have a knock-on effect on the proper function of the central nervous system. In the case of tension headaches, the rectus capitis posterior minor (RCPM) can begin to spasm and attach itself to the dura mater (the thin tissue that covers the brain), potentially triggering recurrent tension headaches.
How Our Tension Headache Treatment Works
If you’re tired of using pain killers to treat your tension headaches, consider seeking the help of an upper cervical chiropractic practitioner. Our upper cervical chiropractic practitioners use the Knee Chest Specific Upper Cervical Chiropractic Technique to correct any upper cervical misalignments in order to reduce the frequency and severity of tension headaches.
To identify whether you are suffering from a misalignment, Dr. Shamloo will use advanced 3D imaging and infrared thermography to scan your body and determine the location, angle, and severity of any misalignments that may be causing your tension headaches.
If a misalignment is detected, Dr. Shamloo will begin to gently correct the misalignment. This process will not involve any pushing, or twisting of the head and neck, so you shouldn’t feel too much discomfort. Once the misaligned vertebra has been restored to natural alignment, you may feel immediate symptom relief. But don’t worry if you don’t. Some corrections are more complicated than others, so it may take multiple corrections and a brief window of recovery time to fully benefit from the treatment regime.
For a natural tension headache treatment, contact Upper Spine Knoxville for an appointment. Dr. Shamloo treats patients in Knoxville, Alcoa, Maryville, Farragut, Clinton, Oak Ridge, Sevierville, Lenoir City, Karns, Hardin Valley, Powell, Halls and Fountain City in Tennessee, as well as the surrounding areas.