Tension headache what is it ? Treatment and diagnosis

A headache can make daily life very difficult. Many people struggle with this problem for years, not really knowing what causes it or, considering it something normal, resulting from fatigue, for example. So let's focus, in this article, on this particular type of pain, explaining what it really is and what the diagnosis along with treatment looks like.

What is a tension headache?
What is the diagnosis of tension headache?
Treatment of tension pain heads
Physiotherapy In the treatment of tension headaches - can you find help here?

There are many types of headache, where one of the most common is tension headache.

What is a tension headache?

A headache can cause us a lot of concern about the possible development of diseases, including cancer. We are also often afraid to start diagnostics in this direction for fear of detecting, something serious. Delaying a visit to the doctor, however, is a serious mistake. A large number of patients suffer from tension headaches, which belong to primary - spontaneous pain. What does primary pain mean? It is not caused by any disease, that is, structural changes found in the brain do not contribute to the pain.

Tension headache It is described as diffuse, pressing, dull pain. It usually appears on both sides in the frontal area. An important feature is that this type of pain is not associated with the occurrence of nausea and vomiting or other neurological symptoms. It is usually mild or increasing to moderate pain. An additional feature may be the occurrence of photophobia, but in a mild form.

Causes that may be responsible for the increased likelihood of tension headaches include:

Stress
Anxiety
Anxiety
Little sleep
Excessive consumption of caffeine
Incorrect posture
Working too long in a sitting position
Genetic factors
Hormonal changes
Insufficient fluid intake throughout the day
Poor diet, including starvation
Clenching of teeth - bruxism

Tension headache does not intensify during exercise. Tension is also observed here in the neck, neck of the shoulders

Tension headaches are far more common in women. Most often the problem occurs between the ages of 25 and 30. However, it is worth mentioning that tension headaches occur in any age group, and the above-mentioned range, applies to the most common cases. The problem affects not only people of young age, but also even children. Unfortunately, the exact causes of tension headaches are still not known, and what is worse, it happens that they are underestimated.

What is the diagnosis of tension headache?

A nagging headache is always an indication to visit a doctor. If the headache occurs frequently the help of specialists is essential here to improve the patient's comfort. In order to make a diagnosis, a key factor is to conduct a thorough interview with the patient. At this stage, the doctor asks about the symptoms, the frequency of the pain, the family history if the problem has also occurred in someone in the patient's family, the duration of the pain, factors that aggravate the pain. Often, already at the stage of interviewing the patient, the doctor is able to determine what is causing these unpleasant discomforts.

If in doubt, an MRI or CT scan may be necessary to rule out serious diseases.

Treatment of tension headaches

Recognizing a tension headache is the basis for being able to implement appropriate solutions to reduce symptoms or elimination of pain. To treat this type of pain, doctors may recommend taking painkillers, eliminating stress, rest, and regular physical activity.

Physiotherapy in the treatment of tension headaches - can you find help here?

It is important to know that physiotherapy is very helpful in treating tension headaches. Taking painkillers is a temporary relief. Unfortunately, medications will not prevent recurrence of the ailment. So it is worth taking steps here that will give you the opportunity to prevent further pain attacks.

Physiotherapist may apply:

Manual therapy, or non-invasive musculo-fascial massage. The goal is to relax tight muscles in the neck and neck area.
Dry needling - stimulating trigger points - this results in relaxation and elimination of musculo-fascial pain.
Acupuncture
Individual exercises for the patient

Physiotherapy is very helpful in treating tension headaches. Physiotherapists here do not prescribe painkillers to patients, and provide non-invasive help. The specialists have a holistic approach. They treat each patient individually, and the techniques used bring relief after the first visit.