5 Common Treatments for Tension Headaches and How Physical Therapy Can Help
Tension headaches affect most of us at some point in our lives.
In this blog post, we are going to discuss the symptoms of a tension headache, and some of the most common treatments available to help reduce pain and improve function.
It is important to remember, this is a complex issue and should always be looked at by your Physical Therapist to assess your individual needs!
Tension Headache Symptoms
Tension headaches stem from tension in the muscles around the head and neck and feel like a tight band or pressure wrapping around the head like a headband. They are typically located on both sides of the head equally.
With tension headaches, you typically don’t have any visual aura, light sensitivity, nausea or vertigo symptoms. These are more likely associated with a migraine headache which we will address in future posts.
Tension headaches can be extra tricky because they are highly associated with stress, anxiety and depression as well as a lack of sleep. In order to truly address them, you will have to make some changes in all of these areas.
Luckily, there are some helpful treatments and lifestyle changes that are commonly used to address tension headaches and improve with pain management and overall function!
Common Treatments for Tension Headaches
Dry Needling: dry needling can be a helpful treatment option in order to improve muscle flexibility, increase blood flow, and reduce pain. Dry needling for tension headaches typically targets the muscles at the base of the skull, along the front and back of the neck, and sometimes the jaw muscles as well.
Posture Changes: setting up your desk with proper ergonomics and working on good posture throughout the work day can help reduce tension headaches. In the digital technology era, we are often hunched over our electronics for the majority of the workday which our bodies are NOT designed to do!!
Exercise: getting in more frequent movement throughout the day as well as initiating a regular exercise routine with the help of a physical therapist can help to reduce the effects of tension headaches.
Stress management: stress is something that affects us all at some point, but it can certainly wreak havoc on our bodies over time if it is poorly managed. Do your best to manage stress through therapy, friend/family/partner support systems, meditation, breath work, exercise, and taking things off of your plate that no longer serve you.
Improving sleep: sleep is incredibly important and leads to a whole host of health benefits. If you are getting poor sleep or not enough sleep, this could be associated with worse tension headaches. Try your best to find a good sleeping position with proper pillow, as well as limit distractions and screen time before bed to optimize sleep. For more sleep tips, read this blog post on how to optimize your sleep.
While tension headaches are incredibly common, they are not normal and can potentially be helped through physical therapy! Reach out to your PT today or schedule with us below to get started on your journey to freedom from tension headaches.
If you or someone you know may be struggling with tension headaches, schedule a physical therapy appointment with us today! At Wildflower Physical Therapy & Wellness, we can help you to get back to the life you want to live through pain management strategies, activity promotion and exercise.