Tension Headaches
by Dr. Scott J. Heun

Recently, a study of the population of the US provided some very interesting data to contemplate.

An estimated 17% of the population suffer from the illness or condition commonly called "tension headache". I have often heard patients say,”oh I only have the usual headaches, nothing serious, I just take Tylenol, Advil, Nuprin or Alleve..."

"Nothing serious" you say? What of the effect of lost productivity in your life? Those missed opportunities with your family, friends and other loved ones can never be recaptured once missed.

Headache pain robs many of the simple joys of life. In other cases, it stands in the way of getting a promotion at work, or limiting your athletic ability. In all cases, those who attempt to "learn to live with it" end up only learning to suffer Curvature of the Spine.

What is the cause of tension headaches?

Basically, abnormal strain upon the supportive muscles of the head and neck cause tension headaches. When the head is out of alignment with the force of gravity, the muscles must work much harder simply to hold the head up. Over time this abnormal stress creates changes in the muscles which diminish their efficiency, and also change their structure. When the stress of daily life builds up to the point of fatigue, and the muscles are stressed to their maximum level, they refer pain to the other muscles of the head, and this manifests as pain in the head either in the back or front of the head or below your skull near your neck.

Treatment

In cases of subluxation of the vertebral bones (misalignment from normal position creating abnormal stress and strain on the spine and supportive musculature), especially those in the neck, the solution to the problem is as follows:

• correct the abnormal posture of the body,
• retrain the muscles and ligaments to hold the new (normal or as close to normal as possible) position
• alter the patient's lifestyle to prevent the previously stressful positions and postural patterns from returning.

This is best accomplished by specific spinal adjustment, spinal exercises, and corrective extension compression traction.

Prevention

Some may say, well I don't have headaches... you still may be subluxated! Just as tooth decay takes years in most cases to develop to the point of causing pain, so does subluxation. The prolonged stress of abnormal posture on the spinal ligaments, discs and muscles not to mention the bones themselves is what destroys the spine long before its time.

Make a point of having your spine checked immediately to determine your real health status. Some wait until it is too late - don't become a statistic.

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