Tension headache, also called muscle contraction headache, is one of the most common headaches in humans. The origin is neither vascular nor hormonal, but is produced by a muscular contracture either in the upper cervical area or in the masticatory and swallowing musculature. It is almost always accompanied by an ailment or a psycho-emotional tension, that is why it is called tension headache, since it is produced by a state of emotional tension derived from a conflict or work stress or any state of hyper-stress that triggers this headache.
What are its causes?
When the cause of the headache is tension, it can be bilateral or unilateral. It usually affects the frontal region, the temple area and many times the patient will describe it as a pain that starts at the base of the skull and will feel as if there is a constant pressure around the head.
It is usually triggered by physical or psychological stress, such as an altered emotional state, but it can also be caused by a posture that generates cervical tension for a long time.
Among the causes we find both physical and emotional stress, postural overload, maintenance of a posture for a long time (bruxism) or daytime parafunctional habits.
It will be very important that the patient does not abuse painkillers because in this case the only thing that will be achieved is to eliminate the pain momentarily, but it will not improve the underlying problem.
Does it affect young people as well as older people?
It generally affects with greater incidence a population around 20-50 years of age. In those ages the incidence is higher due to the level of work-related stress that is usually associated with that age group. However, we can also observe it in older people where anxiety levels are also shot.
As for treatment, it is important to address this type of patient where from a global point of view the work that will best suit him is the work of the physiotherapist releasing all the cervical and masticatory musculature, teaching motor control habits, controlling this daytime parafunction that at night reverts to bruxism, can only be controlled by arriving at night in a more relaxed manner.
In addition to releasing all the muscles, we will also work on motor control, especially jaw movements, and the help of a psychologist or the prescription of a gentle physical exercise will also be very important to release the emotional tension that accompanies us in these periods of stress.
It is important to note that according to the WHO, tension headache affects 70% of the population with the highest prevalence between 30-40 years of age.