Tension Headaches

Tension headaches can negatively impact our everyday functions if left unaddressed. However, they can easily be alleviated with good personal care, the right lifestyle changes and timely treatment. Proper knowledge of the causes and manifestations of tension headaches (along with the appropriate remedies) is necessary.

Tension headaches are characterized by pain felt around a person's head and neck area; some patients describe it as a dull ache, or feeling as if the sides of their heads are being squeezed. There are two kinds of tension headaches: episodic and chronic. Episodic tension headaches will last for a short period of time and for a limited number of days, while chronic tension headaches tend to be more persistent and long-term. This kind of headache has levels of pain that range from mild to extreme, and commonly affects women more than men.

A lot of factors account for tension headaches, with the majority pointing to daily habits. External circumstances can also contribute to the headaches' severity. Poor posture, hunger, unnatural body and head positions, fatigue, lack of sleep, and eyestrain (e.g., from reading with bad lighting, or being in front of a computer monitor for extended periods) can be resolved with sufficient rest and stretching, as well as adherence to a good diet and exercise plan.

However, there are some causes that call attention to lifestyle-related aspects. Stressors and fears stemming from your professional and personal life (for example, current workload or educational concerns, colleagues, family members, friends, finances, etc.), bad habits like smoking and frequent alcohol/caffeine consumption, health conditions such as flu and colds, muscle strain, and even other tension-related habits like the grinding of teeth or clenching of the jaw can trigger tension headaches. The pain can be exacerbated and become chronic if these additional aspects are not dealt with immediately.

Many people choose to treat tension headaches by taking over-the-counter medication like painkillers. There are also other non-pharmaceutical and more natural ways to go about it; massaging the affected area(s) is the easiest way to relieve the pain caused by headaches. Bowen Therapy is increasingly recognized as a viable treatment for tension headaches. This gentle, non-invasive technique pioneered by Tom Bowen, stimulates the body through gentle moves over muscles and tendons and has the added benefit of bringing about deep relaxation.

The Crows Nest Complementary Health Centre's Bowen Therapist, Joshua Rasco, has both the qualifications and valuable experience required to treat your tension headaches.

If you're suffering from episodic or chronic tension headaches and searching for an effective way to relax and repair, you should go to The Crows Nest Complementary Health Centre! Call 02 9964 9722 or e-mail Reception to schedule your Bowen Therapy sessions with Joshua. The Centre is located at Suite 208, 3 Bruce St. cnr. Pacific Highway, Crows Nest, Sydney