Did it ever occur to you that tight muscles are responsible for your tension headaches?
For example, do you spend your days hunched over a computer terminal or
stooped over a drill press?
Do you slouch at your desk?
Are you on the phone all day with a phone crooked between your neck and ear?
If so, you’re practicing poor posture, which is causing your neck and shoulder
muscles to tighten up.
Remaining in a poor posture for extended periods puts a strain on already
tense muscles. Fatigue sets in as blood flow decreases, resulting in knots and
muscle spasms. This causes even tighter muscles and more severe symptoms,
which cause tension headaches.
Unless you take action, they will plague you more often and become
progressively worse.
Fortunately, there are several simple steps you can take to help prevent this
vicious circle:
1. Sit up straight and stand up straight. In other words, assume the military
position: shoulders back, head up, chest out, stomach tight.
2. If you sit all day, get a chair with good back support.
3. Bring your work surface closer to you. For example, if your job involves
stooping down to your work station, elevate it on a platform so you don’t have
to bend down so low.
4. Take several breaks during the day to perform a series of stretching and
isometric exercises. These can be done sitting or standing.
a. With your hands behind your back, gently pull your shoulders back and
maintain this position for one to three minutes.
b. Turn your head halfway to the right (or left). Then drop your head forward
until you feel slight tension. Let the weight of your head gently stretch the neck
muscles. Go slowly - no pain! Hold this position for up to two minutes, then
turn to the opposite side and repeat.
So what should you do if you’ve already got a tension headache?
1. Perform the previously mentioned stretching exercise in 4a.
2. Apply moist heat on your neck and shoulders - a towel soaked in very warm
water, for example (if moist heat is impractical or isn’t available, use dry heat).
3. Get someone to give your neck and shoulders a deep tissue massage.
These simple steps will help you if you suffer from occasional tension
headaches.
If you have chronic tension headaches, visit my web site for more detailed
information.
Paul Bacho is a certified athletic trainer in Cleveland, Ohio with over 27 years
experience treating patients with chronic pain.
He’s also the co-author of “How to Get Permanent Relief From Chronic Tension
Headaches,” a holistic program he’s used to successfully treat hundreds of
tension headache sufferers. For more information, visit
http://www.tensionheadaches.com
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Tags: tension headaches, chronic tension headaches, how to get rid of tension headaches, headache
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Forgive me for being dramatic, but there has been a major oversight in Western Medicine. Isn’t it interesting, that modern medicine, a system in which we have come to place so much of our trust, faith, and credence, still can’t explain simple physical maladies, like the common cold, and headaches, and sleep problems, and back pains, and allergies, and..and..
The vast majority of individuals who have suffered some kind of psychological trauma will report increased symptoms of this nature. Your local friendly General Practitioner will report they “just happen”. Am I the only one who thinks this is odd? I would offer that the real reason for your physical maladies since a traumatic experience, lies in the unresolved negative emotions within the trauma itself. Only in recent years have our friendly white-coats come to grudgingly accept the possibility of a mind-body connection of some kind. You see, bacteria, viruses, and the like, are all out there, in the world, freely roaming, all the time. But what is happening in your body on an emotional level, in order that you are suppressing your immune system enough, to host an infection? What else is happening in your life at that moment in time? This is a key question in trauma-related physical illness. Am I whistling in the wind here? Or could modern medicine have missed something of monolithic proportions?
I am reminded of a dear friend who recently went to his GP, complaining of depression following separation from his wife. Immediately the doctor raised her hand in the air, announcing - “Aha! You are serotonin-deficient! I will prescribe you anti-depressants to raise your serotonin levels. Problem solved,” she stated, reaching for her prescription pad. “I agree that low serotonin may be making me depressed,” said my friend, who was feeling brave that day, “but shouldn’t we be treating the cause of that serotonin deficiency?”Grinning, as if enjoying the challenge, the GP looked over her glasses, “Like what?” “Well, - , Negative emotions?” my friend ventured, cautiously. “My dear friend, emotions do not cause chemical imbalances - Ha! Ah! - Oh dear - I’ve never heard anything so ridiculous!” Needless to say my friend was laughed out the clinic that day. This example perfectly illustrates a sad truth we must face.
Western medicine is little more than symptom management. Allow me to state the obvious; we have a long way to go to convince our good friends in modern medicine of the possibilities. And I’m well aware of how hard it is to teach an old dog new tricks. But for the health of future generations, it might just be our duty. www.traumatreatment.co.uk 0870 232 4568.
Stewart Robertson is a certified NLP Practitioner working with the Trauma Clinic in Glasgow. BSc qualified in Neuroscience - the study of the brain and nervous system - he finds new ways to assist people in overcoming trauma using energy based techniques. The Trauma Clinic can be contacted on 0870 232 4568 or info@traumatreatment.co.uk
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Tags: headaches, negative emotions, depression, trauma, ptsd
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Stress has been much talked about by medical experts as the number one reason for tension headaches. The three helpful tips to prevent tension headaches are, therefore, the three helpful tips to prevent or stave off stress.
Physical activity, such as exercise, is the number one stress reliever, and therefore the number one prevention for tension headaches. Walking or running or working out at the gym, even gardening can help you get rid of your sense of stiffness and stress and can keep that tension headache from appearing. Once you get those old endorphins going with that exercise you are happier and less stressful. You just might stay tension headache free.
Companionship can ease stress considerably and can prevent tension headaches. Problems that seem insurmountable can be reasoned away by talking to a friend. We sometimes put stress on ourselves by thinking we are the only ones experiencing the kind of difficulties we later find out through communication are common problems for others. The other side of the companionship coin is that if you seek the company of others as a way of assisting them, especially the less fortunate you may find that your own problems seem smaller in comparison. Talk to somebody and prevent your tension headache.
The third tip to prevent a tension headache and to reduce your stress levels is to take the best care possible of your body. Besides regular check ups with your family doctor eating the right foods and getting enough sleep are important to your peace of mind, your stress level and your prevention of that tension headache.
If you enjoyed this article on tension headaches, please visit http://headachestore.com to find an extensive listing of headache related information, resources, and articles. You will find information on most types of headaches. Visit today to discover how you can end your suffering.
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Tags: headache, tension headache, headache relief, headache prevention, headache treatment
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