Tension headache symptoms

Tension headache is a type of headache that often starts in our neck muscles/back of the head and moves forward, eventually affecting your neck, scalp, and head. This condition is often described as the feeling of having a tight band around your head.

Tension headaches and physiotherapy treatment

Dry needling therapy is part of trigger point therapy, which is an effective method for addressing headache complaints. Dry needling is an effective treatment method for myofascial problems: pain and stiffness caused by trigger points in muscles. Dry needling involves inserting a ‘dry’ (acupuncture) needle, without medication, into the affected muscle(s). The concept is based on anatomical and neurophysiological principles and is not classical acupuncture.

In the meantime, the specialists at Cardo Healthcare have already helped many people with tension headaches. We often see that these complaints have a deeper cause. That is why we also need to look further and address the ‘roots’; otherwise, your headache will never go away.

The complaints are often caused by sitting in the same position for a long time, such as when working on a computer. It can also be caused by stress, repetitive work, but sometimes there is no identifiable cause. If headaches occur 15 or more days per month for a certain number of months, we can consider the headache to be chronic tension-type headache.

When they occur less frequently, we speak of episodic tension headaches. Although this condition can be painful and particularly bothersome, it is rarely a sign of a more serious illness. A combination of lifestyle changes, relaxation techniques, and traditional and complementary therapies can help reduce this headache. In our practice, we see that ’trigger points’ are a common cause of headache complaints. Through trigger point/dry needling therapy, we achieve very good results for people.

Tension headaches are always experienced as very uncomfortable. However, the symptoms can vary. Below is an overview of the symptoms of tension headaches for which you can seek treatment at our physiotherapy clinic:

• Headache starts with pain in the neck/at the back of your head and spreads forward.
  
• Dull pressure or a squeezing pain, often described as a tight band around the head.
  
• Muscles in your neck, shoulders, and jaw feel tight and painful.
  
• Headache can occur on one side or both sides.
  
• People may have difficulty sleeping or eating.
  
• Make sure to get enough sleep.
  
• Eat a healthy diet (acid-base balance).
  
• Regular physical exercise.
  
• Quit smoking.
  
• Use relaxation techniques. Lifestyle is important for tension headaches.
• • 

Keeping a headache diary can help identify the source of your tension headaches and how to change your environment and habits to avoid them. When a headache starts, note the date and time it began. Pay attention to what you ate in the previous 24 hours, how long you slept the night before, what you were doing just before the headache, any unusual stress in your life, how long the headache lasted, and what you did to make it stop.

Trigger points in your neck as a cause of tension headaches

Nowadays, we increasingly see that tension headaches are caused by excessive tension in our neck muscles. This tension in our neck is caused by Neuromuscular Trigger Points (NMTrPs). NMTrPs are micro-contractions in muscles that feel like small painful connective tissue hardenings or ‘knots.’ Trigger points are the most common cause of tension headaches and can be effectively treated with trigger point therapy (dry needling).

Trigger points mainly arise from incorrect use of our muscles. This can include, for example, overuse, repetitive work, an accident, but also underuse, stress, or poor nutrition. This often results in a disruption of the acid-base and hormone balance, which leads to trigger points. Active trigger points often cause referred pain and other discomforts in a different area than where the muscle tightness is located. Well-known examples include (tension) headaches from the neck and shoulders or RSI/CANS (Complaints of the Arm, Neck and/or Shoulder).

Contact us about your complaints

Do you also suffer from tension headaches and are you looking for an appropriate treatment by a physiotherapist? Then feel free to contact us. You can do this by filling in our online contact form. We are happy to discuss the possible treatments with you during your intake.