Tension Headache Essay

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Tension headaches are the most common type of headache that affects the majority of adults. In this paper I plan on discussing the definition of a tension headache, causes and triggers, muscles involved, treatment and techniques through massage therapy, and at home treatment the client can do for themselves. Tension headaches are usually mild to moderate pain often described as feeling like a tight band around your head. (Mayo, 2011) Also referred to as stress headaches they may appear “episodic” or periodically or “chronic” which is defined as occurring daily. Episodic tension headaches usually begin gradually, and will often occur later in the day. Chronic tension headaches tend to come and go over long periods of time. The pain may vary in intensity but almost always present with chronic tension headaches. People who often suffer from tension headaches experience some of the following symptoms. It tends to occur later in the day, difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep, chronic fatigue, irritability, disturbed concentration, mild sensitivity to light or noise, and general muscle aching. (Glass, 2009) The exact causes of tension headaches are unknown. In some people, tension headaches are caused by tightening muscles in the back of the neck and scalp. The muscle tension can be caused by not enough sleep, poor posture, emotional or mental stress, anxiety, fatigue, hunger, or overexertion. In some cases tension headaches can be triggered by some type of environmental or internal stress. The most common sources of stress are family, relationships, friends, work, and school. (Glass, 2009) Some experts have discovered through research that tension headaches may also be caused by an interference involving nerve pathways in the brain, which is demonstrated by a heightened sensitivity to pain in people who have tension headaches. So the pain is caused as a result

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