Tension headache due to stress
“There are two types of stress, explains Dr. Patrick Kieffert, algologist doctor. That of daily life, fed by worries at work, at home… And that linked to psychological trauma. The latter is very deep. We often hear that the body is talking. It’s so true! And this can manifest itself in particular by recurrent headaches. “>> What works:
- Physical activity. “The ideal is to practice about thirty minutes a day, having fun. “Pleasure is the secret of regularity! The release of endorphins, the feel-good hormones, while you swim, run or cycle is what makes exercise a great antidote to stress. And by extension, protection against headaches.
- Self-hypnosis. If it is practiced at home, the ideal is to start with a few sessions with a therapist, to learn the basics. For hypnosis to work, you have to be receptive to it. We can then, as soon as the need arises, sit in a comfortable armchair, and practice visualization exercises, for example by imagining a place in which we feel good. A white sand beach, a rice paddy in Bali… By re-immersing oneself in thought, in the smallest details, in these images, the attention is diverted, the pain of the headache fades.
- Essential oils. “The champion against headaches is peppermint.” Its cooling effect when applied brings immediate relief. Dilute two drops in half a teaspoon of vegetable oil, such as sweet almond oil. Give yourself a light massage on the temples and forehead, keeping away from the eyes. “But be careful, because essential oils are very powerful, they also have a lot of contraindications, warns Dr. Kieffert. Pregnant women must avoid them, for example. In order not to be mistaken, it is better to consult a doctor before buying them.”
- EMDR. “Thanks to eye movements, and discussion with a therapist, we can transform a trauma into a simple memory”, rejoices Dr. Kieffert. Many survivors of attacks have recourse to it, for example, but it can also be very useful after bereavement, an accident, a violent separation. .Today, the method is validated by the very serious High Health Authority (HAS). The patient is invited to relive the painful moment, following the therapist’s gestures from left to right. In the end, the memory is still there, but it no longer has the same emotional “charge”.
Tension headache due to screen abuse
Riveted for hours to our screens, sometimes without a break, sometimes with bad posture, the headache is often the consequence of this excess of computer, tablet and/or smartphone. It can also be indicative of a poorly corrected or uncorrected visual disorder.
>> What works:
- A consultation with his ophthalmologist. To detect and correct any vision problems.
- Filters. Take regular breaks, and take the opportunity to look away. Install an anti-blue light filter on your smartphone or tablet, or equip yourself with anti-blue light lenses, now offered by all opticians.
Tension headache due to neck pain
“When the muscles in the trapezius muscles contract, it pulls on the cervical muscles. If it’s too frequent, we can fear a chronic tension headache, describes Dr. Kieffert. When we look for the origin of the problem, we sometimes find static disorders, such as flat feet or a small scoliosis.”
>> What works:
- Fix static issues. When the problem comes from there, you can, for example, have custom-made insoles made by the podiatrist.
- Botulinum toxin. It is not only used to erase wrinkles. Injected with a fine needle into many places on the skull, it can reduce the frequency and severity of migraines. The National Medicines Agency (ANSM) has just recognized this by granting, in May, an extension of indication for Botox® for chronic migraine sufferers (more than 15 days of headache per month). “The injections are to be renewed every 3 months, adds Dr. Kieffert. It also works very well for tension headaches. It is then used off-label”.
- Fasciatherapy. Cervical tensions can also come from tense fascias. Fascias? Directly under the skin, or deeper, like a gigantic spider’s web, these connective tissues envelop our muscles, tendons, organs and bones. They absorb the microtraumas to which we are constantly subjected. But when the attacks are too repeated, they can become rigid. “It can then be useful to consult a physiotherapist to relax them, using pressure and gentle stretching.”
Tension headache due to poor sleep
“Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is the first cause to look for when you wake up with a headache. Even more so if you are overweight. Fortunately, this is rare, but you have to think about it!
>> What works : nocturnal ventilation in continuous positive airway pressure. “In case of suspicion, a sleep recording should be made to make the diagnosis.” If an obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is detected, “you simply have to get fitted.”
Read also :
- 15 things you might not know about migraine
- Migraine: focus on new treatments
