Tension headaches are the most common type of headache and affect 36% of men and 42% of women – that’s 7 million Australians. Tension headaches usually present with some of the following characteristics:

  • Mild to moderate, persistent, diffuse, usually bilateral pain located at the base of the skull, forehead, top of the head, temples or behind the eyes;
  • A sensation of a tight band around the skull;
  • Tightness and stiffness in the neck and shoulder muscles;
  • Variable in duration and intensity;
  • Mild over sensitivity to light and noise; and
  • In some extreme cases, nausea and vomiting.

The causes of tension type headaches are multiple and include different muscular conditions. Excessive muscle contraction such as jaw-clenching and active trigger points or “knots” can induce one. Poor posture, be it at work, in front of the computer or driving, are the other main culprits. Other causes include stress, anxiety and fatigue.

Our myotherapists here at CSSM can help you with a variety of treatments.

  • Soft tissue massage which will enhance the blood flow and help reduce tension in your cervical and thoracic.
  • Myofascial trigger point therapy has been proven to be efficient in reducing both the frequency and the intensity of pain caused by tension-type headaches.
  • Myofascial dry needling to reduce pain and restore normal tissue function.
  • We will also work on reducing the cause of the pain. We will discuss strategies to get you out of bad postural habits.
  • We will prescribe you corrective exercises to restore muscular balance

Ressources

Moraska AF, Stenerson L, Butryn N, Krutsch JP, Schmiege SJ, Mann JD. Myofascial trigger point-focused head and neck massage for recurrent tension-type headache: A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The Clinical journal of pain. 2015;31(2):159-168.

www.headacheaustralia.org.au

http://www.headache.com.au/