Treatment for Tension Headaches
Today, stress is almost an integral part of our lives. But do you suffer from intermittent or frequent headaches when stressed out? Does it feel like your head is under pressure? You may be suffering from tension headaches. But worry not, acupuncture can help.
Tension headaches and why they occur
Tension headache is a relatively common phenomenon that plagues nearly three-quarters of the world’s population. Also called stress headache, myogenic headache or muscle contraction headache, it is characterized by the following traits:
- The pain is mild to moderate, without any accompanying feeling of nausea. Though not as debilitating as migraine headaches, it can be fairly unpleasant.
- The frequency of attacks may vary from patient to patient; it may be chronic, frequent episodic or come only once in a while.
- It is a bilateral pain, meaning it is present equally on both sides of the head. Patients report a feeling as if their head is pressed by a vice or as if a tight band is stretched around their head. Tenderness and tightness is felt in the area behind the eyes, forehead, temples, back of the head, neck and sometimes even in the shoulders.
- The dull aching sensation can last anywhere from half an hour to a few days at a time.
- It generally does not get worse while engaging in physical activity. But light or loud sounds may be difficult to tolerate.
Tension headache is primary, in the sense that it is a disorder in itself rather than the symptom of any underlying condition. Though conclusive reasons are yet to be established, it is said to be due to muscle tension or contraction in the neck and head area. As the name suggests, it is primarily precipitated by stress.
Acupuncture to treat tension headache
Not understanding the true nature of these pains, many people try to suppress tension headaches by taking over-the-counter or even prescribed pain-killers, muscle relaxants and even anti-depressants. But the indiscriminate ingestion of chemicals that may even have long-term side-effects, is not necessarily the right treatment approach. There is an alternative safer and more holistic cure available.
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese art of curing ailments by tapping into the body’s own resources and enabling self-healing. Using hair-thin needles to gently pierce specific points in the skin, acupuncture triggers the release of the body’s natural pain relief and calming hormones. It also empowers the brain and helps the body better deal with stress. Visit http://acupunctureofcolumbus.com and book a consultation with the best acupuncturists in the field at our Columbus, OH clinic to understand more about how this wonderful mechanism works.
In addition, the special pattern of placement of the acupuncture needles sends a signal to the brain through the nervous system to boost the flow of blood into the muscles suffering from spasms. The increased blood flow helps the head and neck muscles relax and this eases the pain. Acupuncture treats the cause rather than the symptoms, which is why it is a safe, side-effect free and effective cure from the painful grips of tension headaches.
For more information about how acupuncture and other treatments can help you, please contact the Urban Acupuncture Center Board Certified Licensed Acupuncturist’s team at Indianola Ave, Clintonville (614) 725-2488 | Main St, Westerville (614) 426-4406 or click here. Taking new patients in and around greater Columbus, Ohio.