Stress is cumulative and can be a trigger. There are physical (structural stresses include bones, muscles, joints, bite, spine, and habits), emotional (life stresses), and biochemical stresses. When the total of all of these stresses overloads adaptive capacity, patients experience painful emotional responses.
There is plenty of anecdotal evidence of the relationship between stress and headaches. You have probably experienced headaches yourself during periods of stress. Tension headaches, sometimes referred to as stress headaches, present a strong correlation with stress.
This article will also present information on Sphenopalatine Ganglion (SPG) Blocks which can control how the body reacts to stress and reduce the negative impacts on the body and the brain. SPG Blocks can control and eliminate anxiety and the headaches that are secondary to stress reactions.
Stress
The human body desires to reside in a state of equilibrium; this is where it is most effective and efficient. When stress of any sort is introduced, the autonomic nervous system takes control and triggers changes in your breathing, heart rate, blood pressure and a number of other systems. SPG Blocks have been shown to eliminate about 1/3 of essential hypertension cases.
Dr. Hans Selye wrote the book The Stress of Life and originated the concept of the General Adaptation Syndrome a concept that is as important today as ever.
Some of the symptoms of stress include:
- Headache
- Sleep disorders
- Muscle tension
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Eating disorders
All of the other symptoms listed can themselves contribute in some way to making stress headaches more likely.
Stress Factors
Not everybody manages every situation the same way. You might remain calm in certain situations that would rattle your spouse or neighbor. There are some factors common to stress, including:
- Poor nutrition
- Lack of positive social interaction
- Ill health
- Work-related stress
- Chronic Worrying seems to be a particularly destructive behavior
It is important to identify the things that increase stress in your life and work to minimize those factors as much as possible.
Tension Headaches
The types of headache most associated with stress are tension headaches. Most people suffer from tension headaches at times. There are two broad categories of tension headaches:
- Episodic – These occur periodically, but not more than 15 times per month.
- Chronic – Tension headaches that occur more than 15 times per month are classified as chronic headaches.
- Tension Headaches are often a direct result of Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction, or referred muscle pain.
Headaches that are triggered from another underlying cause are called secondary headaches. Tension headaches caused by stress fall into that category.
Causes
Some studies correlate physical stress on the muscles of the head and neck to tension headaches. However, it is also shown that the chemical interactions of the body correlate strongly with headaches. Fluctuations in the following chemicals may be the underlying cause of your tension headache:
- Endorphins
- Serotonin
- Other chemicals
The underlying reasons for the changes in the chemical levels may themselves be subject to outside stresses.
While stress is not always a direct cause of other types of headaches like migraines and cluster headaches, it is a factor that may make those headaches come on faster or make them worse.
Treatment
Over the counter medications like aspirin and ibuprofen may help alleviate tension headaches. Addressing the underlying stress best treats chronic tension headaches. Some of the things you can do to help relieve stress include:
- Abortive medication
- Preventative medication
- Rest
- Proper diet and exercise
- Staying hydrated
- Reducing medications that cause chemical imbalances
- Travell Spray and Stretch home treatment using Vapo-coolant Spray can often give almost instant relief while correcting muscle issues.
- Neuromuscular Diagnostic Orthotics are used for both diagnosis and treatment.
- Long-term Neuromuscular Treatment is considered when diagnostic orthotic treatments are successful in pain treatment..
Stress is the result of the body's natural response to uncontrollable events. In order to maintain homeostasis, chemicals are released to increase your heart rate, elevate your blood pressure, and increase your respiratory rate. Overreacting to these minor stress factors often lead to headaches.
These body responses are Autonomic in nature, usually form Sympathetic Overload. The Sympathetic System gives us the Fight or Flight Reflex. The Parasympathetic System is the Feed and Breed Reflex and is responsible for romantic love and the way you feel playing with babies, puppy or kittens. The SPG Block or Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block can turn off the Sympathetic Overload and let our Parasympathetic System Dominate. This can eliminate and decrease the effects of stress and also the headaches and migraines caused by stress.
The combination of Neuromuscular Dental Treatment and Sphenopalatine Ganglion Blocks increases efficacy of treatment. Dr Shapira routinely teaches patients to Self-Administer SPG Blocks for quick relief of pain and stress responses.
THIS EFFECTIVELY ALLOWS PATIENTS TO TAKE CHARGE OF CONTROLLING AND PREVENTING PAIN.
CRANIO: The Journal of Craniomandibular and Sleep Practice published Dr Shapira's paper in May, 2019: Dr Shapira has lectured on this topic worldwide, most recently in Moscow in June 2019. He is lecturing in Kansas City in September 2019 at the ICCMO meeting.
Neuromuscular dentistry and the role of the autonomic nervous system: Sphenopalatine ganglion blocks and neuromodulation. An International College of Cranio Mandibular Orthopedics (ICCMO) position paper.
This paper is available at: https://www.sphenopalatineganglionblocks.com/blog
Video testimonials of SPG Blocks can be found at: https://www.sphenopalatineganglionblocks.com/sphenopalatine-ganglion-spg-blocks-videos/
If you suspect that your headaches are induced by other factors such as stress, consult Dr. Ira L. Shapira at Think Better Life. Call 1-847-533-8313 today.
