What Causes Tension Headaches?

Tension headaches are also referred to as “stress” headaches. Although most internet sources and some authorities say the cause is unknown, this is simply not true. Every type of pain – including tension headaches – and all other types of head pain have a cause. Finding the cause may not always be an easy task. Often, when the cause of a tension headache can not be found, it may be treated with medications and other short-term fixes. This may work for a while, but without finding what is wrong, the tension headache comes back. The only way to provide lasting relief from tension headaches is to find the cause and treat it at the source.
Tension headaches can affect people of all ages but is more common in adults. Some experts believe this type of head pain occurs when a person is under a great deal of physical or emotional stress. Other factors include anxiety, diet, nerve damage, or a combination of factors. In some cases, it may look like stress is causing a tension headache, but in reality – the stress is triggering migraine headaches. Again the key to finding permanent relief is testing, examination and a highly skilled headache doctor.

Tension headaches can come on fast and last for about 30 minutes up to a week. The pain can be in the head only, or may radiate to the shoulders, behind the eyes, and is sometimes described as feeling like the person is wearing a very tight headband. For some people, over-the-counter medications work for infrequent tension headaches. Other people may find that their headaches are a daily occurrence and medications do not help at all. In these instances, a headache specialist may determine you are a good candidate for a more permanent treatment.

Permanent Treatments

The treatment for your tension headache will depend on the cause. Here are a few treatments that can provide permanent relief:

• Occipital stimulation – PERMANENT RELIEFThis involves implanting an electrical device under the skin. This device then generates electrical stimulation effectively blocking pain signals from the brain. When activated, it allows the person to immediately turn their headache off.
• Nerve blocks – Nerve blocks are performed by injecting medication on or near a nerve in order to “block” it from sending pain signals. This usually stops daily tension headache pain.
• Radio frequency – This process involves a special needle that delivers a high intensity microwave to a nerve to burn it and discontinue its ability to send pain signals.

Taking The Next Step

If you are serious about getting permanent relief from your chronic headache pain, set up a consultation with Dr. Cassaro:

Dr. Cassaro is the top pain treatment expert in the country. If you have chronic pain, Painless Living can help. Dr. Cassaro will set up a consultation regarding neurostimulation and spinal cord stimulators (SCS). After a thorough review of your medical records and a thorough examination, it may be determined that you are a candidate for neurostimulation. Scheduling the procedure and recovery will be discussed and you will be on your way to living a pain-free life!