Tension headaches are a pain in the head due to a variety of different reasons. This type of headache is most commonly located at the scalp, temples or the back of the neck.

Tension headaches are a very common health complaint which I find on over 50% of my patients' case history forms. Some patients have had headaches so long and so frequently that it is just normal for them to have headaches.

I would like to talk about the most common causes and the treatments we use at our office for tension headaches.

When patients come to our office for help with headaches, diagnosing the cause is like pealing an onion because the causes are so diverse. Usually, I start with Chiropractic care because that is our foundation of treatment. I don't promise anything, however, most patients get better with Chiropractic care alone.

If the spinal bones of the neck are not moving or supporting the head properly, these misalignments can affect nerves, muscles, and even blood supply to your head.

There can also be a compensation reaction by structural imbalances in the pelvis and lower back which causes the upper spine and neck to put the head off center causing headaches.

The second area I look at is dehydration. Just not drinking enough filtered water can cause headaches. Water is a great diluter and detoxifier.

The next cause would come from the diet. What we eat cancause headaches, such as food allergies/sensitivites (usually it's your favorite food). Also, refined foods including caffine, soda poop, chocolate, all food additives, dairy products, red meats and alcohol.

This usually takes care of over 90% of the tension related headaches, however some other possible causes are: stress/anxiety, hormone imbalances, smoking, poor posture, toxic colon, candida, eye strain, artificial sweeteners, poor diet, heavy metal toxicity, TMJ disfunction, drug withdrawl, poor sleeping patterns, constipation, vitamin A overdosing and high blood pressure.

For most people tension headaches are not something you have to live with. Check out our web-site for more information on how you can be helped.

Dr. Richard Haas