Tension Headaches

Do you suffer from headaches? While this is about tension headaches specifically, it does apply to other headaches as well, in my opinion.

A variety of studies have connected anger with headaches. What specifically has been connected is suppressed anger. This is when an event in your life should cause anger, but your reaction is not one of anger at all.

In a study in Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback in 1997,
"tension headache sufferers were found to have significantly more anger held inward than nonpain controls." (PMID: 9428970) Another study in the journal Headache by Hatch and Schoenfeld et. al, found that tension headache sufferers "showed significantly greater levels of suppressed anger" than non-headache controls. Meanwhile, the amount of expressed anger was similar for both groups. (PMID: 1860788)

Two things most likely are taking place here. For one, the energy that is to be expressed in the anger is not recognized and vented. Instead of exploding outward then, there is more of an implosion. In the book Dynamic Health, the chiropractor M.T. Morter talks about this tendency for unexpressed emotions to cause an implosion that results in pain.

The second factor is the physical process itself. The process is clenching one's jaw, and biting down on the anger. This holding back is a source of constant muscle tension, which can lead to pain and fatigue. This is especially true of headaches in the temporal region (the side of your head, between the eye and the ear).

The best way to deal with tension headaches is to become aware. Might there be something you are mad about or someone you are mad at? Look carefully. Once you have awareness, this will help a great deal. On the other hand, you may know full well who you are pissed at or what you are mad about. Also, have perspective and recognize that some of your anger might be irrational and too intense for the situation.

To deal with this anger, physical exertion is a must. If you play a sport and get some exercise sometimes, do not neglect this! In fact, make sure that you get exercise on those days when you feel tension headaches are likely. If you do not play a sport and do not like to exercise, then just hit your bed and yell into a pillow. This will help your muscular system get some of that stuck energy out - allowing you to have a small explosion instead of a big implosion. I consider it like a controlled burn, when firemen prevent a huge forest fire by burning several small fires.

Naturally, the best thing is to simply express your anger appropriately - at the appropriate time to the appropriate person. For most of us, this is not easy. And in many situations, in fact, it is impossible (being mad at one's boss or a professor would be examples).

These methods are always recommended and should help to some degree. If you need more help, I specialize in a form of chiropractic (called B.E.S.T.) that identifies and helps to neutralize the stresses and emotions that are directly related to your condition.

To learn more about me, visit my website at www.pinkertonchiropractic.com

To learn more about B.E.S.T. and Dr. Morter, visit the Morter Health System website at www.morter.com