Argh, not again! If you’re unfortunate and have ever experienced a tension headache you know the drill, the stiffness and pain sneak up on you seemly from your neck area, the nauseating throbbing spreading to the back of your skull, a sickly agony propelling you into zombie land and ensuring you miss your looming 3pm deadline!
Almost every second human being has had a tension headache and one in ten have had a migraine, putting headaches in the top 10 most disabling conditions (top 5 for women). And the bad news is women are twice as likely to get them as men.
But why are you prone to them, whilst your crazed colleague seems to handle far more deadlines and stress without a glitch? What makes one person susceptible and the next never to understand how debilitating they can be? Can you avoid the onset of one and what is the best way to make them go away?
But what’s the reason you get them?
The one major factor responsible for the occurrence of these headaches is how the person copes with stress. You might be under only half as much stress as your friend who never gets headaches, but it is probable that she has learned to cope with stress. However, this is not the sole reason for developing stress headaches. Approximately 40% of those who suffer from frequent tension headaches have a family history of suffers. Although no clear genetic link has ever been established. Other reasons could include not enough rest, bad posture, anxiety, hunger, a dependency on caffeine or even low iron levels. Jaw or dental problems surprisingly could also be a factor!
What can you do about tension headaches?
Besides the obvious ones such as relaxation and stress relief, massages, drinking copious amounts of water, endless costly visits to the chiro blah blah blah, you’ve heard them all before but none of them abate the stubborn ones that just won’t go away! Stress no more, here are a few unconventional interventions we’re hoping can help:
Hats off! You won’t believe how effective this simple precaution can be! Make sure that you minimise or eliminate the potential irritation caused by hats, helmets, spectacles, and even pony tails which are fitted too tightly.
Vigorous breathing exercise — Not just the normal gentle in and out breathing that keeps you alive! We are talking about conscious heavy breathing that can work wonders in helping you blow off steam.
Ergonomic —You might not believe it but the factor that’s probably contributing the most to your headaches is monitor position! Make sure it’s at least a ruler length away from you, and the top of the screen should be at or slightly below eye level, to prevent the head from tipping back on the neck, which shortens the suboccipital muscles - the muscles most likely to cause headaches.
Upgrade your eyewear — It’s amazing how easy it is to forget that it may be time to upgrade your spectacle prescription especially if you use bifocals. The constant adjustment of your head to accommodate your focus might be causing strain on those suboccipital muscles. (Click here to book an eye test!)
Brave Botox - If tension headaches are caused by muscle tension, perhaps they can be treated by paralyzing those tense muscles. Probably one of the most experimental treatments to try, and doubtless not top of our recommended list but hey, we get it, when you are desperate you’re desperate!
By leading a healthy lifestyle, tension headaches can be self-treated and avoided. Try and avoid all negative energy and stress around you, lead a positive lifestyle, and always remember your body is amazing and it can tell you something, all you have to do is listen.
Date Published: 16 October 2018
