Tension Headache

"Aristotle taught that a man is a natural compound of a body and soul. This treaty is the development of this natural compound".

Alternative Names    

Muscle contraction headache; Headache - benign; Headache - tension

Definition      A tension headache is a condition involving pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck, usually associated with muscle tightness in these areas.

Causes     Tension headaches are one of the most common forms of headaches . They may occur at any age, but are most common in adults and adolescents.

If a headache occurs two or more times a week for several months or longer, the condition is considered chronic .

Tension headaches can occur when the patient also has a migraine.

Tension headaches occur when neck and scalp muscles become tense, or contract. The muscle contractions can be a response to stress, depression, a head injury, or anxiety.

Any activity that causes the head to be held in one position for a long time without moving can cause a headache. Such activities include typing or other computer work, fine work with the hands, and using a microscope. Sleeping in a cold room or sleeping with the neck in an abnormal position may also trigger a tension headache.

Other causes of tension headaches include:

Tension headaches are not associated with structural changes in the brain.

Symptoms    

The headache pain may be described as:

The pain may occur as an insolated event, constantly, or daily. Pain may last for 30 minutes to 7 days. It may be triggered by or get worse with stress, fatigue, noise, or glare.

There may be difficulty sleeping . Tension headaches usually do not cause nausea or vomiting.

Exams and Tests     A headache that is mild to moderate, not accompanied by other symptoms, and which responds to home treatment within a few hours may not need further examination or testing. If a neurological (nervous system) examination is performed, a tension headache causes no abnormal findings. However, tenderness in the muscles near the skull is often present.

The health care provider should be consulted -- to rule out other disorders that can cause headache -- if the headache is severe, persistent (does not go away), or if other symptoms happen with the headache.

Headaches that disturb sleep occur whenever the person is active, or that are recurrent or chronic may also require examination and treatment by a health care provider.

Possible Complications    

Rebound headaches -- headaches that keep coming back -- may occur from overuse of painkillers.

It's important to see a doctor if you have chronic headaches. In some cases, the headache may be a symptom of more serious disorder.

Psychogenic aspects

+++Headache: A wide range of emotional factors may cause headache. Those headaches caused by such emotional tension may result from cardiovascular changes producing an intracranial pressure; they are frequently encountered as secondary symptoms of essential hypertension.

From Psychosomatic point of view headaches are most often associated with unexpected hostility.

Tension due to excessive demands and suppression of annoyance or rebelliousness can lead to tension headaches and undue tension in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions. The pent-up, unreleased tension and internal exertion of the will blocks the vital flow and locks the body shut in certain places. The body expresses the conflict within the personality, Inner and excessive emotional demands also contribute to dysmenorrhea.

+++Unsatisfied needs create tension, which motivates the organism to initiate action (drive) towards their satisfaction with consequent reduction of the tension. At any given time and in any given situation the action or actions selected to accomplish this purpose will depend on individual's previous learning as well as his constitutional potentialities and limits.

HOMEOPATHY AND TENSION HEADACHES :

Homeopathy treats a man of all his/her diseases, named or unnamed, covering all the features of his/her personality as well as physical aspects of the patient to his/her all-round and wholesome improvement.

Prognosis : Good: Tension headaches usually respond well to holistic homeopathic treatment without residual effects. They are annoying, but not dangerous.

Miasm : Psora

Homeopathic therapeutics:

Asarum europaeum patients get intensely overwrought in their struggle to comply, achieve, and give their best. They are very likely to try hard to stay kind on the surface, while their bodies are highly nervous and on edge. They develop sensitivity to noise, especially to the rustling of paper or high-pitched sounds. Sensual acuity may be failing; a development toward deafness and asthenopia (weakness of vision due to fatigue) may be present. In their nervousness, even mere imagination of up-coming tasks or difficulties induces them to tighten muscles, to feel tense and pressed together; their hands move, cramp together constantly, and may sweat profusely, easily aroused perspiration being a major keynote of Asarum europaeum. Further tension focuses on the nape of neck and is also expressed in menstrual cramps. The patients feel cold and shiver from emotions. They experience diminished appetite and a craving for alcohol; damp, wet weather relieves all symptoms.

Nux vomica may try to uphold high standards of personal integrity, while mastering a large load of work and feeling driven and tense. The double demands result in spasmodic contractions, tension, tremors, and twitching of muscles. Patients experience stiffness and tension in the neck, soreness between the shoulder blades, and a lumbar back ache. Sleeplessness and worry about work performance prevail.

Strychninum is made from the alkaloid of the Nux vomica tree and shows a similar symptom picture of tight, cramping muscles, and extreme tension and irritability. These patients are worse from the slightest touch, sound, or odor. They have tense, spasmodically closed jaws and a pronounced rigidity of cervical muscles. The whole back feels stiff, and there is an icy sensation down the spine. The eyes and the esophagus are burning.

Ignatia amara is indicated in states of internal grief and disappointment when efforts have been made and rewards are not forthcoming. This dynamic may come on after attempts to comply to emotional and work-related demands, while anticipating the expected release. Any delay brings on muscular tension, clonic spasms, twitching of face and lips, and rectal constriction. There occur sinking feelings in the stomach and a craving for acidic things. The patient may sigh and brood in silence. This remedy contains the toxic, nerve-stimulating alkaloid strychnine, as do Nux vomica and Strychninum; hence the affinity with contractive, spasmodic muscle pains and discomfort.

Aranea ixoloba is a hurried remedy, nothing is finished quickly enough. Work is experienced as demanding, and there is the urge to move through it, while feeling driven, trembling, and restless. The hurried mind can hardly concentrate on mental labor. These patients have to make a great effort not to be rude or return unkindness when mistreated. Unstriped muscles (arterial congestion, spasms in digestive tract) and striped muscles (skeletal muscles) spasm and contract. Typically, the neck, shoulders, and lumbar region are tense and stiff. Other symptoms are sleeplessness, thyroid complaints, hypersensitivity to smells and noises, and alternating euphoria and depression.

Sulphuricum acidum is a hurried, impatient, at times irresolute remedy. Mental excitability alternates with seriousness, weeping, and moroseness. Anxious restlessness and worry propel to do everything in a hurry. In response to excessive demands, these seem to mount as the patient does too many things at once, there develops great irritability and impatience toward others who may move less speedily. The continued demands of work, coupled with efforts to control the impatient temper and inner drive to hurriedness, lead to a cramping and constricting of the muscles of the neck, shoulders, arms, and hands. The neck stiffens and may be moving in sudden jerks; this tension is visible in the larynx especially, as it rapidly moves up and down during shortness of breath, as it produces embarrassed speech from lack of mobility and flexibility. This cervical tension also leads to the typical right-sided headaches of Sulphuricum acidum that originate in a contracted spot below the right occipital protrusion. From there, the pain extends to the right temple, to cause a sensation as if a plug were pressed in. The shoulders and arms cramp and tighten painfully, the hands and fingers jerk while writing. The back, as well as the legs and feet, may ache and stiffen, and there are lancinating pains in the abdomen and vaginal tract during the menses. This remedy shows healing power in the treatment of bruises, injuries, concussions, and when applied after surgical operations.

Stramonium (Datura stramonium) is a remedy for intense states of mania and rage; however, in the early stages, there may be high tension and energy in mind and body with no apparent mental disorder or imbalance. Typically, these patients respond to heightened demands with overexertion and frantic activity, while simultaneously attempting to be cheerful and complying. As pressure mounts, the holding down of aggressive impulses, coupled with a sheer need for release of tension, may precipitate a sudden outburst of anger or violence. Further mental symptoms are a fear of being alone, of the dark, of animals. Strabismus, stammering, a craving for sweets, violent hiccup, and increased thirst can be present. Symptoms can come on after a head injury or an extreme experience of fright.

Arsenicum album patients have a strong sense of propriety and, though irritable, tense, and spiteful, may manage to hold down their aggressive impulses. They also tend to assume demanding work and set themselves high standards of perfection. Self-control and control of the environment are important to them. This combined challenge leads to restlessness, tension, and strain, particularly felt in cramping, contracting leg muscles and in cramping fingers. These patients also have burning pains that are relieved by warmth, and they suffer from easily deranged digestion.

Cuprum metallicum is marked by a thorough tendency to cramps and spasms in the gastrointestinal and respiratory system, as well as in the skeletal system. Likewise, as the muscular systems are overreacting and overexerting, the mind as well is prone to impulses, impolite verbal abuse, and strong emotions. However, the Cuprum metallicum patient endeavors to control these impulses, knowing that he is prone to use words not intended. As a result, the internal and external tension builds up further and are forced into an increasingly rigid cage of self-suppression. Psychosomatic complaints, such as stomach convulsions, colicky pains, sudden attacks of suffocation, drawn thumbs and clenched fists, are the consequence. There may even be facial grimaces and distortions, as well as convulsions that begin in the fingers and toes and spread over the whole body.

Veratrum album can be indicated in chronic overexertion and is possibly precipitated into an acute attack by injury in pride or honor. Veratrum album patients have a strong urge to make their standpoint known; they are prone to attempt to convert others to their own point of view and serve them in a missionary sense. During early stages of the illness, they may hold down aggressive impulses and when dishonored may feel the need to suppress their self-righteous urges (refer to first reference of note 1). This conflict is then expressed in hyperactivity, muscular cramping, coldness and cold sweat, severe headaches, and even circulatory collapse. During acute attacks, there are also projectile vomiting and diarrhea. Typically, patients crave sour foods, such as lemons, are intensely thirsty, and suffer from colitis and menstrual cramps.

Cimicifuga racemosa shows generalized nervous or hysterical hypersensitivity and a lack of control over muscles and emotions. Hence the patient is restless and highly strung, trying to keep in balance in accord with the daily demands and the need for togetherness with others. These patients can be aggravated by stress and yet try to be affectionate with others (author's case observation). The patient can talk incessantly, fear evil, and report recurring depression. There is a characteristic fear of riding in a closed vehicle. Typically, the neck is plagued by stiffness, contraction, and rheumatic pain. The whole spine is sensitive, limbs are restless, there are strong menstrual cramps and intense labor pains during giving birth. Overwhelming, strong emotions and suppressed vexation may lead to amenorrhea. Generally, pains are darting like electric shocks throughout the body.

Staphysagria (Delphinium staphisagria) tends to have a gentle personality and may swallow much anger, until built-up resentment and indignation express in occasional vehement outbursts. The withheld tension can lodge in the neck and shoulders which cramp, ache, and feel stiff. The joints are rigid, and the extremities feel beaten and painful; especially the calves feel as if bruised. Tightness may affect the muscles of the buttocks, as well as the hip joints and the small of back. The backache is worse on rising in the morning. There are also occasional spasmodic uterine contractions and colic during menses. Chronic chagrin with suppression of indignation may lead to amenorrhea (absence of menses). Further indications are a spasmodic cough and cramping in the diaphragm after expressing indignation, those physical states being related to emotional impact. The cramping proclivity is only mildly indicated in Staphisagria, the muscles rather ache and feel tight; pains are of a drawing, tearing character.

Natrum Muriaticum has long menstrual periods and the typical women's headache. A headache in a woman is an unresolved love knot. For example, if she has a boy friend but doesn't want to go with him, she gets a headache. When a woman doesn't love a man, the man gives her a headache. Natrum Muriaticum is very intelligent, a bit repressed and shy and says: “I have my personality. I am shy I don't know how I will react in any given moment...I can lose control”.

References:

www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/encyclopedia_html

Cornelia Richardson-Boedler, Psychiatrist Homeopath, Applying Homeopathy and Bach Flower Therapy to Psychosomatic Illness, Published by B jain (P) Ltd, New Delhi. (Page 51).

+++Walter J. Coville, Timothy W. Costello and Fabian L Ruke, Psychologists, Published by BARNES & NOBLE, New York . (Pages 36 and 96)

** Fernando Risquéz, Psychiatrist Homeopath, Psychiatry and Homeopathy, Published by B Jain (P) Ltd, New Delhi . (Page 149)