Tension (Tight-muscle) headaches

When muscles in the head, neck or shoulders are shortened (contracted), blood vessels are constricted and the circulation to the brain is affected. The neck is the gateway to the head and if this gate is partially closed the results are dull headaches, woolly thinking, dizziness and irritability.

Many sufferers from this type of headache are unaware of the extent of the congestion in their muscles until firm pressure around the base of the skull, the back of the neck or the shoulders causes them to howl in protest.

When the blood circulates freely the waste products of metabolism (the burning of the food we eat) are rinsed away and excreted. When the muscles are tight the waste products are trapped and form crystals. It is when these are pressed on to the bones that the pain is felt.

If you are tender in these muscles and your headache is relieved by a head and shoulder massage, you can be fairly sure it is a tight-muscle or tension headache. Alcohol is a powerful muscle relaxant so if your symptoms are improved by a drink, this could confirm the diagnosis.

Hair Loss Doctor