Tension Headaches Are Common — But They Are Not Inevitable
Tension headaches are the most prevalent headache type, affecting an estimated 70 to 80 percent of adults at some point in their lives. For many people they are occasional and manageable. For others — those dealing with frequent, recurrent, or chronic tension headaches — they become a significant source of disruption, affecting work, sleep, concentration, and quality of life in ways that are often minimized or undertreated.
The standard approach to tension headache management — over-the-counter pain medication, stress reduction, and hydration — helps in the short term but does nothing to address why the headaches keep happening. For patients with recurrent tension headaches, there is almost always a musculoskeletal component that is driving the pattern — and when that component is identified and treated, the frequency, intensity, and duration of headaches typically improves significantly.
At Bray Chiropractic & Wellness in Glastonbury, tension headaches are evaluated and treated as a musculoskeletal problem with identifiable drivers — not as a symptom to be managed indefinitely with medication.
What Is a Tension Headache?
Tension headaches are typically described as a dull, aching, pressure-like pain affecting both sides of the head — often described as a band or vice tightening around the skull. They are classified as episodic when occurring fewer than 15 days per month and chronic when occurring 15 or more days per month for at least three months.
Unlike migraines, tension headaches are not typically associated with nausea, vomiting, or significant sensitivity to light and sound — though some overlap exists. The absence of these features is one of the clinical distinguishing factors between tension headaches and cervicogenic headaches, which originate from the cervical spine and can be mistaken for tension headaches. Learn more about Cervicogenic Headaches.
What Causes Tension Headaches?
The exact mechanism of tension headaches is not fully understood, but musculoskeletal research consistently identifies several key contributing factors:
Suboccipital muscle tension and trigger points
The suboccipital muscles — the small muscles at the base of the skull — are one of the most common sources of tension headache pain. Trigger points in the suboccipitals refer pain directly into the head in a pattern that closely matches the typical tension headache distribution. These trigger points develop in response to sustained postures, cervical joint dysfunction, stress, and prolonged screen use — and they are highly responsive to treatment when properly identified.
Upper trapezius and levator scapulae involvement
The upper trapezius and levator scapulae are the other most commonly involved muscles in tension headache. Sustained tension, trigger point activity, and neuromuscular overactivation in these muscles refer pain into the head and neck in patterns that directly contribute to and perpetuate tension headaches.
Cervical spine joint dysfunction
Restricted mobility in the upper cervical spine — particularly at the C0-C1 and C1-C2 levels — is a consistent finding in patients with recurrent tension headaches. Joint dysfunction at these levels alters the sensory input from the upper cervical spine and contributes to both the headache mechanism and the muscular tension that perpetuates it.
Thoracic spine restriction
Restricted thoracic mobility — particularly in extension — increases the compensatory load on the cervical spine and contributes to the muscular tension and joint dysfunction that drive tension headaches. Addressing the thoracic spine is a standard component of tension headache care at this practice.
Breathing pattern dysfunction
Dysfunctional breathing mechanics — shallow, chest-dominant breathing — overactivate the accessory breathing muscles including the scalenes, upper trapezius, and sternocleidomastoid. Chronic overactivation of these muscles is a direct contributor to cervical tension and headache frequency that is almost never addressed in standard headache care.
Stress and autonomic nervous system activation
Psychological stress and autonomic nervous system dysregulation contribute to muscle tension, trigger point sensitization, and central pain sensitization — all of which lower the threshold for tension headache onset.
While addressing stress directly is outside the scope of musculoskeletal care, treatment that reduces the physical contributors to tension headaches — joint dysfunction, muscular tension, breathing mechanics — also reduces the sensitivity of the system to stress-related headache triggers.
How Tension Headaches Are Evaluated at This Practice
Assessment of tension headaches at Bray Chiropractic & Wellness includes:
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Detailed headache history — frequency, duration, intensity, location, associated symptoms, triggers, and prior treatment history
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Cervical and thoracic spine orthopedic assessment — evaluating joint mobility and dysfunction at the levels most commonly associated with headache
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Soft tissue assessment — suboccipital, upper trapezius, levator scapulae, scalene, and sternocleidomastoid trigger point evaluation
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Neurological screening — to distinguish tension headache from cervicogenic headache and identify any features requiring further evaluation
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Breathing mechanics assessment — evaluating the contribution of breathing pattern dysfunction to cervical muscle tension
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Postural and functional assessment — identifying sustained loading patterns that contribute to headache frequency
How Tension Headaches Are Treated at This Practice
Treatment for tension headaches at Bray Chiropractic & Wellness is individualized based on assessment findings and may include:
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Chiropractic manipulation and mobilization of the cervical and thoracic spine — particularly effective for joint dysfunction contributions to headache
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Soft tissue therapy and orthopedic massage — targeted treatment of suboccipital, upper trapezius, and levator scapulae trigger points
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Dry needling — one of the most effective interventions available for suboccipital and upper trapezius trigger points that are driving headache frequency
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Breathing mechanics retraining — addressing accessory muscle overactivation and its contribution to cervical tension
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Rehabilitative exercise targeting deep cervical flexor strength, thoracic mobility, and postural load tolerance
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Clinical nutrition guidance when systemic inflammation, dehydration, or dietary factors are contributing to headache frequency
Learn more about Chiropractic Care, Massage Therapy, Dry Needling, and Rehabilitative Exercise at this practice.
Tension Headache Treatment in Glastonbury, CT
Patients with frequent, recurrent, or chronic tension headaches in Glastonbury, South Glastonbury, Hebron, Marlborough, East Hartford, Manchester, and the surrounding Hartford County area will find a musculoskeletal-focused, root-cause approach to headache care at Bray Chiropractic & Wellness.
No referral is required. New patients can schedule directly online or by calling or texting (203) 303-4760. Bray Chiropractic & Wellness is in-network with Aetna, Anthem BCBS, Cigna (ASH), and CT Medicaid (Husky). Self-pay and HSA/FSA options are also available.