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Tension headaches can be caused by poor posture and muscle imbalances. Airrosti’s Dr. John Cybulski discusses these causes, as well as how traditional healthcare and Airrosti differ in their treatment methods. At Airrosti, we focus on treating tension headaches at their root cause for fast, lasting relief.
Headaches are one of the most common causes of pain in the world that affect people from all walks of life. While light headaches are often just minor nuisances, they can sometimes develop into a severe or chronic condition that will leave you stressed and unable to focus. Knowing what type of headache you’re suffering from is the first step in finding an effective way to ease the pain.
Even though all these conditions affect the head, their causes and symptoms vary slightly and may require different treatment methods. If the head pain you’re suffering from feels like a tight band wrapped around the scalp, creating pain around the entire head and traveling down the neck, you could be suffering from a tension-type headache.
Chronic head pain can be debilitating and disruptive forces in our daily lives. From reduced focus and increased sensitivity, to missed work and social events, the harmful effects of chronic headaches can seem inescapable. Sometimes it can be a sign of a more serious condition.
Fortunately, most head pains are benign and treatable, such as the extremely common tension headache. More severe cases of tension headaches, also called stress headaches, are commonly mistaken for sinus headaches or migraines.
Tension headaches occur when muscles in the scalp, neck, and shoulders contract, tightening and pulling against the skull. There are several common risk factors that could influence the severity and frequency of tension headaches.
Common triggers include:
Tension headaches typically get divided into two main categories — episodic and chronic. Tension headaches typically last from 30 minutes to a week, while chronic headaches can appear 15 times a month or more and last up to several months.
Other signs of tension-type headaches include:
There are several conservative methods of treatment you can try at home before consulting with a doctor. If it’s a mild, infrequent pain, you might find relief by rubbing your temples or massaging your scalp. Tension-type headaches typically appear during periods of stress, so stress management can also help reduce their duration and frequency.
Other helpful remedies include taking a hot bath to relax your muscles and destress, or using a hot/cold compress to reduce pain. Unfortunately for chronic or severe pain, these approaches may only fix the pain temporarily.
Other familiar treatments include over-the-counter medications, muscle relaxants, and behavior therapies to reduce stress. Your doctor may request a CT scan to rule out any serious conditions. They may also recommend taking supplements like Magnesium and Vitamin B-12 to help combat chemical imbalances that may be contributing to your condition.
Practicing proper posture can help curb the frequency of tension headaches by reducing the amount of stress placed on your neck and shoulder muscles, thus keeping these muscles from pulling on your scalp. Pain from tension headaches can also be reduced with exercises and stretches that target the muscles in the head, neck, and shoulder area.
These exercises are considered supplemental and should not be used to replace your regular physical therapy or workout routine. Some helpful exercises include:
CHIN TUCKS
SEATED LEVATOR SCAPULA STRETCH
Unlike treatments that only focus on the symptoms, Airrosti providers aim to treat pain at its source. Our providers will conduct a thorough evaluation to target and address the cause of your pain with hands-on manual therapy, combined with an exercise plan to strengthen your body and reduce pain. Airrosti treatment can effectively resolve most cases in an average of three visits, based on patient-reported outcomes, while reducing recovery time and keeping you active.
If an injury or pain is taking the reins of your life, schedule an appointment with Airrosti, and get back to doing the things you love most, pain free.
Reviewed by Casey Crisp, Doctor of Chiropractic
Disclaimer: Always consult with your doctor before starting any exercise program. If you experience any numbness, tingling or reproduction of your symptoms, please contact your doctor.
After going to a free evaluation through my workplace, I found out I was suffering from whiplash from a car accident a month prior. I was experiencing debilitating headaches daily and my range of motion in my neck was terrible. I worked with Dr. Williams for about 5 months and now back to normal and no more headaches. I really love the exercises I was given to do at home and how great I would feel after having my appointment at Arrosti. Dr. Williams is great and I recommend Arrosti to everyone that I can.
by Tracie Collier
As an Assistant Principal of 7 years, I’ve accumulated LOTS of knots, tension, muscle stress, and chronic migraines without complaint, but with physical discomfort. Through multiple doctor visits and other proactive measures, the 1 thing that has been MOST BENEFICIAL and EFFECTIVE has been AIRROSTI! I can’t explain the quality of life and joy it has brought to myself, family and profession! I HIGHLY recommend Airrosti to anyone as a preventative AND proactive measure!
by Mary Steen
I saw Dr. Wirtz for help in figuring out the source of my frequent migraines after seeing a neurologist who had also recommended eliminating caffeine from my diet and decreasing my rescue medication, thinking these were contributing to a rebound effect. This approach, along with a preventive medication helped, but I still experienced extreme muscle tension in my neck and shoulders. I felt immediate relief during the first treatment but was afraid it would not last. Dr. Wirtz gave me a few simple techniques I could do at home that did not require too much time - which really helped to ensure I could be successful. (Let's face it - creating new habits is hard) I improved a bit with each visit with Dr. Wirtz and was discharged after just 4 ...+ show morevisits. I still have migraines, as this is early in my new treatment program and there may still be hormonal or dietary triggers, but in the short time since working with Dr. Wirtz, the duration has decreased. They don't last 48-72 hours anymore. The most recent one only lasted 12 hours and the shoulder and neck pain is almost gone. If I do start to feel it, I know what to do with my exercises and my trusty lacrosse ball! I would highly recommend that people consider Airrosti, and if you are in the Buda area, go see Dr. Wirtz.
by Michelle McComb
I have been plagued with headaches and tension for over 20 years and thought it was something I would just have to live with permanently until seeing Kristina Myles. These headaches were so bad that I would have to take a prescription in order to get rid of them or I just lived with having a headache constantly. My husband was treated by Dr. Myles for a small pinched nerve issue and suggested I see her that she could possibly help with my headaches. Well after about eight (8) visits I can say I no longer have all the tension in my neck and shoulders and my headaches are gone. I never even knew there were things like Airrosti that could help relieve pain as well as keep it away and I am grateful to have found Dr. Myles. I know if I should...+ show more ever start to have challenges with headaches again or any type of back pain or muscle pain her form of treatment is the answer.
by Heather Wise
On January 15, 2012 I woke up with a terrible headache. Over the next 4 years, 8 months and 18 days I would deal with my chronic illness. My headache was 24/7 with no relief and felt like a hat band squeezing my head all the time. I was in the hospital 9 times and had 6 MRI's, CT scans, EEG, sleep studies, and other procedures. I was treated by numerous neurologists, pain specialists, a chiropractor, bio-feedback specialists, and physical therapists.
Right before Christmas in 2012, I woke up with my left side numb, and I could not move it. I was rushed to the hospital where I spent a few days in ICU. This was the beginning of hemiplegic migraines. I never knew when the numbness would occur or how long it would last. I finished my S...+ show moreophomore year on homebound.
On May 1, 2013, I underwent a 7-hour surgery for nerve decompression in my neck and face which relieved the headache. I was excited to join my classmates at school as we began our Junior year. In November of 2013, the hemiplegic migraines returned. I finished my Junior year on homebound.
I was only able to attend school my Senior year for 2 weeks, and completed high school on homebound. I would spend days at a time in a wheelchair because of my migraines. I graduated in June of 2015 in my wheelchair with my sister pushing me across the stage to receive my diploma.
On October 3, 2016, I walked into Dr. Christy's office. Withing a few minutes he had diagnosed my problem and released my headache. I will be forever grateful.
I am excited to begin life again. I am working at a preschool teaching 2-year-olds, and I teach special needs children at my church. I have applied to college, so I can begin pursuing my dream of being a Special Needs teacher.
Thank you again for diagnosing my condition and for healing.
by Jamie Nolen
"AIRROSTI has been a game changer in our household, vastly improving quality of life for both my husband and me. As a result, when my 8 year old daughter was recently having severe, chronic headaches, I thought of AIRROSTI for her as a possible treatment option. My daughter had experienced 4 week-long headaches within a three month period, and we desperately wanted to find her relief. The headaches had been affecting every aspect of her life, including causing many missed days of school and an inability to consistently participate in extracurricular activities. Within 24 hours of the first AIRROSTI treatment, my daughter had her first pain free day in 11 days and she was able to stop taking pain reliever daily. She could definitely fee...+ show morel the difference in the reduced tension in her neck, shoulders, and upper back. - Dr. Vick was great about customizing the treatment to her age and tolerance level. My daughter was enthusiastic about her second and third treatments because she could appreciate the difference in how she felt. It has also been very helpful that my daughter has been given the tools to help manage her own health through the stretching exercises she has been taught. Our family continues to be thankful we found AIRROSTI. We are delighted to have access to such an amazing resource. Barbara McLaughlin "
by Barbara McLaughlin
Dr. Payne's help was invaluable in a case of frozen shoulder. The pain and limited mobility in my shoulder came on suddenly. Having worked with Dr. Payne previously on neck pain, I was confident she could help me even though I initially had no idea what the problem might be. - Dr. Payne had me back to 100% within three weeks. I was so pleased, especially when I compared stories with friends who had suffered cases of frozen shoulder for much longer. One friend said her problem went on for over a year and she resorted to surgery to loosen the shoulder. - I am so thankful for Dr. Payne's help and I am happy I went to her as soon as the pain started. - I have recommended Airrosti and Dr. Payne to friends, family, and even strangers in the gr...+ show moreocery store. Airrosti is an amazing resource.
by Barbara McLaughlin