What causes tension headaches is not known, however the common assumption is that they are caused by muscle tension in the head and neck. Although muscle tension may be a related cause, there are many forms of tension headaches and recent thinking is that there is more than one cause for this type of headache.

One theory is a malfunctioning pain filter that is found in the brain stem may cause the pain. The thought is that the brain misinterprets information, from muscles, and interprets that signal as pain.

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Nearly 19 percent of American women will suffer at least one migraine headache every year. These painful headaches are often accompanied by vomiting and nausea or visual symptoms such as flashing lights or dark circles in the field of vision.  Migraine headaches are caused by expansion of the blood vessels in the head. This serious headache can be prevented by reducing stress. Stress can actually cause the expansion of blood vessels in the head which results in pain. Migraine headaches are usually treated with a number of chemical-based pain killers, with some causing minor side effects.

Headache pain relief is usually attained by using over-the-counter headache pain relief medications that are so easily accessible. However, these products don’t permanently cure headaches and are not without side effects. Over time, any medication can lose its effectiveness if taken too frequently.

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Many people aren’t aware of the relationship between upper cervical (neck) trauma and headaches. With all that modern science has accomplished, there are still more unanswered questions than answered ones. This is also true in the case of headache research. It’s been difficult to pinpoint the exact reason(s) why certain people suffer chronic headache pain. However, research is beginning to point toward upper cervical trauma as an underlying cause for many types of head pain, especially migraine, cluster and tension headaches.

The upper cervical area of the spine refers to the two vertebrae located at the top of the spine, directly underneath the head. C1 (known as Atlas,) along with C2 (known as Axis,) are chiefly responsible for the rotation and flexibility of the head and neck. Like the rest of the vertebrae, they are extremely vulnerable to injury and trauma, especially trauma to the head through auto or sporting accidents.

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Product Description
The up-to-the-minute guide to understanding and treating migraines for all migraine sufferers and their families Across America, twenty-eight million people suffer from migraines, costing the nation millions of dollars in lost work and school days, medication, and countless visits to doctors and hospitals. At the world-renowned Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago, Dr. Seymour Diamond has spent more than thirty years helping thousands of headache sufferers conquer t… More >>

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I’m a student reporter writing a story on treatments and research for cluster headaches and would like to speak to some actual sufferers of this debilitating condition, and not just doctors and scholars. Please let me know if you’re interested. This would entail me getting your phone number and email (you don’t have to leave it in your answer) for contact purposes. Serious replies only, please. Also, Texas residents are of special interest to me.