Causes Tension Headaches

Emotional triggers which cause muscles in the head and neck to react are blushing when you are embarrassed and turning pale when you are afraid. You might ask why the muscles respond with pain when the trigger is emotional distress. The answer is that the muscles .of the head and neck (and indeed other muscles) cannot differentiate between emotional and physical strain, as a bane .out .of alignment, a strained pasture, fear, a bad marriage, overwork, depression .or a large gas bill could all prompt the protective 'splinting' reaction. Perhaps if we were animals we would retreat into our shells .or stick .our heads in the sand. Instead .of that we dan the 'armature' .of tension - a veritable iron helmet and shoulder protector.

Physical triggers

Injury: explained above.
Posture: holding the body in strained positions: standing badly, sitting unsupported, unbalancing the head, for example.
Bedtime television watching: the head propped forward while you peer at the screen.
Looking down while reading: putting a strain an the neck.
Painting a ceiling,or working in awkward situations such as under a car or the kitchen sink.
Facial mannerisms: frowning, squinting, jaw-clenching.
Dental tension: prolonged chewing (gum), abnormal chewing to avoid sensitive teeth, jaw problems, teeth-grinding.
Infections: swelling.
Eye strain: fatigue in the muscles surrounding the eye.
Spectacle problems: pulling the head back to look through halfglasses or bifocals.

Neck problems and headaches

Muscle-contraction headaches can accompany arthritis .of the neck (cervical sodalities). Patients .often say their pain is due to this condition in a resigned way that suggests they are doomed to headaches far the rest .of their life. This is not necessarily the case. It puzzles me that this diagnosis is so .often made without any physical examination or X-ray. Is it perhaps that in persons aver 45 wear and tear in the neck joints is sometimes assumed when it is not actually present? It would seem difficult ta differentiate in the absence .of a history .of arthritis and at least a physical examination, between cervical sandlots and muscle spasm in the neck muscles from an emotional .or physical trigger.

Arthritis

Arthritis is an inflammation .of the joints. Any joint in the body can be affected. There are several types but the mast common .ones are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is by far the mast common and the incidence increases with age - wear-and-tear arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis can develop in young people and is by far the mare serious condition. It can cause severe pain and deformity leading to disability.

When there is osteoarthritis in the neck there is an increased likelihood .of developing muscle-contraction headaches. This could be another 'splinting' reaction and also a response to the pain. Portions of the damaged bone can press on nerves and pinch them. The nerves react with compression, irritation and eventually inflammation. This can also happen with a slipped disc. The shock absorber or cushion between the vertebrae presses on the nerve, causing pain. Both osteoarthritis and a slipped disc can cause neurological symptoms such as numbness, weakness and tingling. When the cervical spine is involved this will be felt in the arms. As has been said, a person who has a painful physical focus is also more likely to be affected by emotional triggers - fear of the pain, low mood, frustration. This adds to the tension in the neck and thus causes more headaches.

More causes of Tension Headaches

Hair Loss Doctor