Clarendon Chiropractic: Functional Medicine & Holistic Health: Recent Episodes

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What Causes Tension Headaches?

Tension headaches are the most common form of headache. These headaches are often caused by stress and muscle tension. Tension headaches don't usually cause nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light. Tension headaches can cause a constant ache rather than a throbbing sensation and they tend to affect both the left and right sides of your head. They can be chronic and occur frequently or daily.

What causes tension headaches?

It is unknown what causes tension headaches. Many factors, including genetics and the environment, may be involved in a tension headache. Tension headaches are thought to be caused by muscle contractions in the neck and head. Tension headaches can be caused by stressful situations or busy days.

What are the signs and symptoms of tension headaches?

These are all symptoms of tension headaches:

• The headaches start slowly
• Both sides of the head usually hurt.
• The pain feels dull, or like a band around the head.
• The back of the neck or the top of the head may be affected by pain

Most pain is mild to moderate, but it's not severe. Tension headaches can look similar to other medical conditions. For a diagnosis, always consult your healthcare provider.

How can tension headaches be diagnosed?

Tension headaches can be diagnosed primarily based on your symptoms. To rule out other conditions or diseases, a thorough medical exam may be required.

It is important to track your headaches and share them with your healthcare provider in order to make an accurate diagnosis.

Common questions during an exam include:

1. What are the signs of headaches?
2. Where is the headache located?
3. How do headaches feel?
4. How long can the headaches last?
5. Are there any changes in personality or behavior?
6. Are there any changes in your position or how you sit up that caused a headache?
7. Are you having trouble sleeping?
8. Are you prone to stress?
9. Are you a victim of a head injury?

No further testing may be necessary if the history indicates tension headaches but the neurological exam is normal. If the headache is not the problem, other tests may be required to diagnose the root cause.

• Blood tests. To check for underlying conditions, blood tests and other lab tests can be performed.
• Sinus X-rays. A diagnostic imaging test that can detect congestion, infection, and other potential problems.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) This is a procedure that makes detailed images of organs and structures within the body using large magnets, radiofrequency, and a computer.
• Computed Tomography scan (also known as a CT scan or CAT scan). A method that uses X-rays and a computer in order to create horizontal images of the body (often called slices). A CT scan provides detailed images of every part of the body including bones, muscles, and fat. CT scans can provide more detail than standard X-rays.

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What are the best sleeping positions?

Your body repairs and restores itself during sleep. Your sleep position will affect how well your back and spine curve. People often wake up feeling numb or irritated. This can sometimes be due to their sleep position.

A third of our lives are spent asleep, or resting. It is important to choose a position that supports your body's physical recovery. An ideal position for sleeping can reduce stress on the spine. A poor position can cause pain, stiffness, and even disability in your arms, back, and shoulders, which may lead to poor quality sleep.

Which is the best sleeping position?

A healthy spine aligned from your hips to your head is the best position for sleeping. It all depends on what your health is and what you like.

However, some positions are healthier than others. Particularly, sleeping on your stomach or side is more beneficial than on your back. It's easier to support your spine in either of these sleeping positions. This relieves pressure on your spinal tissues and allows your muscles to relax.

If you feel comfortable sleeping on your stomach, don't be afraid to switch. The right mattress and pillow can reduce your pain and improve your spinal alignment.

If you have back pain, are pregnant, have allergies, asthma, acid reflux, or any other health issue, you may find that different sleep positions offer different benefits. To allow for more restful sleep, you might consider changing your sleeping position. A group of adults suffering from back pain was trained to either sleep on their side or their back in a study. In just four weeks, they experienced significant pain relief.

It takes time to adjust to a new sleeping position, but it is possible. Use pillows to train your body into a new position.

You can sleep on your side

Over 60% of people sleep on one side. Men spend more time on their sides than women. While we used to split our nights as children by sleeping in different positions, adults tend to prefer side sleeping. As we age, our spine flexibility decreases which can make side sleeping more comfortable for older adults.

There are many benefits to sleeping on your side. Side sleeping promotes healthy spine alignment and is the best position to sleep with pillows. Side sleeping may also reduce heartburn or snoring making it an ideal sleeping position for those with sleep apnea and acid reflux.

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What Happens When You Crack Your Back?Is It Safe?After spending the last hour in your favorite chair, you decide to get up and have a snack. And suddenly you hear a popping sound or crack from your neck and or spine. For some, cracking your back is satisfying and is often sought out. It might feel good, but that snap, crackle, or pop could be a sign you need to see a doctor. And that crack might be your back or neck making a popping sound.

What causes your spine to crack?

When you put pressure on your spine and then release it, it can cause it to “pop.” It’s not really pop – but more of a release of air from the spinal joint itself. Besides aging, anything that changes the shape of the spine can cause these popping sounds. This includes obesity, pregnancy, and wearing high heels. Anything that puts pressure on the spinal cord or restricts blood flow can also lead to popping sounds.

Do you need to worry?

But not yet. Instead, take a look at our guide to find out more about what that sudden sound means. This is what happens when your back cracks.