Tension  headache are words that go together, and the commonest pain that one feels in the head is called Tension Headache. It is said at least74% adults world over, suffer tension headache, at least once in a year. According to ‘W.H.O’ 1 in 20 people of developed world, get tension headache every day.

Tension headache is felt as mild to moderate steady pressure or tightness, like a band around the head that might extend into neck. So widely present but precise causes are still un-explained. Tension headache is taken lightly or indifferently and a very few, world over are diagnosed appropriately hence, it gets either misjudged or under-treated.

Tension headaches mostly start in the teenage, women are more prone to it than men, and some cases of children are also reported. It’s is recognized to be of 2 types, Episodic and Chronic. More than 70% cases are episodic, while only 1-3% are chronic. In episodic the discomfort mostly occurs at random and lasts for few hours or it may stay for several days, striking once or twice in a month. While the chronic, is daily or persistent sort, but pain’s intensity may vary throughout the day, for more than 15 days in a month and can, weigh down the person with stress, anxiety and depression, leading to a vicious cycle of headaches. Tension headache is hardly ever seen to be a life threatening condition.

The causes of tension headache are still unidentified but there are some theories supporting; Neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) changes causing activation of pain path way in brain of the tension headache patient, leading to increased sensitivity to pain and stress. An older theory is tension or spasm of (shoulder, neck, face, jaw or head’s) muscles contribute to the headache.

Although, Science is not yet sure of the cause but it is confirmed that some factors play a role in tension headache incidence, like;

• Stress.
• Anxiety.
• Depression.
• Fatigue.
• Dehydration.
• Poor posture, for prolong period.
• Eye strain.
• Sleep.
• Meal skipping or hunger.
• Hormones like in periods, pregnancy or menopause.
• Certain foods and food additives
• Caffeine.
• TMJ.
• Jaw clenching or grinding.
• Spinal conditions.
• Cold temperature.
• Smoking, alcohol and drug abuse.
• Cold or flu, sinuses.
• Even some medicines.
• Some, serious trigger but rarely, like; a tumor or blood vessel problem.

              Tension headache pain is classic; short lived, dull ache which is not debilitating. The entire head feels like being squeezed; it may start around the eyebrows, rare of head or neck.  This headache is not accompanied with nausea and vomiting or the symptoms of other headaches like; flashes, blind spots, numbness, pin and needles or weakness of limbs. In chronic cases the headache’s severity fluctuates. One may feel sore in temples, neck and shoulders also.  Tension headache may alter sleep and appetite and may affect the emotional well being of the sufferer.

 Tension headache needs to be accurately diagnosed for treatment to be appropriate. At Walk In Chiropractic our Houston Chiropractor Doctros will be able to diagnose a headache by proper history and physical examination. Regular labs, MRI and CT scan are done to reach the precise diagnosis.

As it is earlier said it is not debilitating or life threatening.  Most of the headache cases are never diagnosed or treated. Simple headache responds to over the counter analgesics, hence many never bother to pay heed to it. It becomes a problem when it turns chronic and starts interfering in regular life. If you nip the evil in bud; it would be best for you, as these headaches will vanish with prompt treatment and won’t aggravate.

What cure would you chose, one that has side effects with timely relief or one that really helps and that too  without drugs and their effect? I would choose the second option and you will be surprised by the comprehensive treatment plan that you will get for this and any other condition at ‘Walk in Chiropractic Associates’ in Houston. Many studies have concluded that chiropractic adjustments help treat tension headaches. Chiropractic is the most popular of all the alternative therapies available due to higher percentage of good results.

Walk In Chiropractic Associates is proud to have finest chiropractors, who provide each and every patient with best possible services. In addition to spinal adjustment we also use LLLT, ultra sound, electric stimulation, therapeutic massage or soft tissue manipulation, which are giving great results. The plan will have a new healthy life style which will help alleviate the problem from its root.

Auto Injury-WHIP LASH

Whiplash is quite common universally and is significant enough to be aware of it. Whiplash is the name given to the injuries caused by a severe jerk to the head, typically in a motor vehicle accident. It usually results from a sudden collision from the back when you are in a stationary position, mostly car crashes.

Any unexpected jolt to the body that causes a rapid backward and then forward motion of the head can strain and sprain the spine at any level. An impact that produces such sudden violent motion causes the cervical spine to twist and wrench past its normal ranges. This will affect the muscle, tendons, ligaments, joints, vertebrae or the nerve roots and injure any of these. Normally whiplash is not a life threatening injury as the neck has not been broken, it is seen mostly victims recover in few weeks of time but there are 10% who develop chronic whiplash syndrome.

Although the culprit mostly is thought to be the road accident; mostly an impact from the rare but the impact can come from any direction. Quite frequently whiplash is also seen to be caused by assaults, falls, strenuous physical activities, work injuries and contact sports.  People over 65yrs and female are more prone to it as their neck muscles are not as well developed as of males.  People with congenital disorders with narrow spinal canal are also predisposed to it. Bad posture, poorly positioned head restraints can become a factor too.

The symptoms that appear after the whiplash can be mild to severe. It is possible that these may not appear right after the incident and start progressing 6-12 hours after the injury or may be after a few days. The area that is mostly affected is usually right below the skull. There can be pain and stiffness in the neck, shoulders, and back. 75% victims complaint headaches and stiffness of neck. In some cases there can be nausea, dizziness, blurred vision, ringing of ears, jaw pain. In severe cases there can be tingling or numbness on the face or the limbs is felt if the nerves get injured. There can be difficulty in concentrating, memory loss, sleep problems, irritability and depression. Majority of the mild to moderate case symptoms wear off within few days to months and may need only over the counter prescriptions but in small number of cases the symptoms can become chronic.

Usually a collar is immediately placed on the neck of the patient. To rule out any serious injury to neck or the body X-ray should be done and for further investigation MRI or CT scan can be obtained also. Depending upon the symptoms treatment can be varied but most of the symptoms require only pain killers. Initially collar may be given but its prolonged use is discouraged as prolonged immobilization has proved to slow the healing process. Unless there are serious injuries, early mobilization is definitely recommended. It is important to educate the patient about whiplash, if not tackled on time the injury can go into chronic stage. It has been stated that chiropractic care proves beneficiary to the whiplash injury.

Dr Reza Naghavi (DC) at ‘Walk in Chiropractic’ clinic says some cases may only require ice and heat therapy for the pain and muscle spasm from Whiplash injuries. Primary objective of the entire walk in chiropractic team is to approach the basic damage in each patient as per requirement. Commonly spinal manipulation, muscle stretching exercises, relaxing massage therapy or Trans-cutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) treatment are given. These are followed by advice's for ergonomic and lifestyle changes for minimal strain to the body in day to day life.