For the past 16 years, I've been helping patients with various conditions. One of the most common complaints we see is tension headaches.

What are tension headaches?

They are pain that starts from the base of your head and can spread to the back of your head, behind your eyes, temples, or forehead. When it gets really bad, it can even make you feel sick.

When you have a tension headache, over-the-counter medications might help relieve the pain briefly, but they don't fix the underlying problem. The best way to treat tension headaches is to address the cause of the problem, because if you don't, there's a higher chance of the headaches coming back.

Tension headaches can be really painful and can affect your work and daily routine. It's better to get them treated as soon as possible to avoid them getting worse.

What causes tension headaches?

There are many causes of tension headaches, including stress, poor posture, and prolonged sitting.

Chronic stress can cause muscle tension and sometimes clenching. Clenching can lead to TMJ disorder and neck stiffness overtime. Poor posture and prolonged sitting can also cause muscle tightness and joint stiffness in the neck.

How can massage therapy help?

We can help relieve muscle pain by working on the tight muscles in your neck and upper back. This can decrease muscle tension and improve mobility. Sometimes, these muscles might be painful to the touch, but we will work within your pain tolerance to prevent discomfort. We also incorporate other methods like cupping or acupuncture to further alleviate your pain and for faster recovery.

It's important to talk to your healthcare provider to determine the exact cause of your headaches. If they're related to other health condition or head trauma, it's best to follow their advice. If you have any other questions, on how we can help, send us an email or give us a call to speak to one of our health care providers.